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In this first installment of our series on navigating business mergers and acquisitions, Deanna Salo, Managing Principal at Cray Kaiser Ltd., shares valuable insights on preparing your business for a successful transition. Whether you’re planning to pass your company to the next generation, sell to a third party, or position your business for future growth, preparation is crucial. Join us as we delve into the foundational practices that set the stage for a smooth and strategic process.

Transcript:

My name is Deanna Salo, and I’m the Managing Principal here at Cray Kaiser Limited CPAs and Advisors. In the Cray Kaiser family of clients, we’ve had a lot of activity in the mergers and acquisitions front, mostly where clients are looking to succeed their companies to what might be the next generation of their family business or privately held space, or they sell to a third party and look to a buyer, e company, and somebody to succeed their company and exit the company accordingly. The readiness of being acquired is a process and it’s best practice to start early and get the right procedures and get the right people in place to move your strategic plan to an acquisition, meaning whether you’re acquiring another company or you’re being acquired. In most cases, as I mentioned before, our clients are looking to be acquired to exit their company and to fulfill their strategic plan of retirement.

How to get ready for an acquisition

Some of the shared experiences and one most recent client experience that we’ve had is in six to seven points, which I think are the most important things about getting ready for an acquisition or being acquired.

Make sure your financial warehouse is in check

Making sure that your financial warehouse is in check. Your financial department, the procedures, the accounting department really needs to be updated and looked at in a very granular sense, meaning you might be getting monthly financial reporting from your internal accounting department, but really what else is there? And that’s documenting the procedures around your financial reporting system. Even documentation of your general operating procedures is an important part of getting your financial warehouse in check. There’s three different levels of financial assurance that your CPA can provide to you. One is a compilation, which is really no assurance. It’s the lowest level of assurance. The next is a financial review, and the highest level of financial assurance is an audit. We see clients actually moving through a compilation to a review to a financial audit to really get integrity to their financial statements, get those auditors in their offices to check and balance the financial operations of the company. And when you’re looking to be sold, being able to provide a buyer or a third party a financial audit provides integrity to the financial statements, reliability to the financial statements really shows the audience that you are ready for a financial acquisition. So getting your financials in place and on check is the first step in that direction.

Understand your organizational structure

The next point is understanding your organizational structure. And many owners look to me and say, I know my organizational structure. I know where the hierarchy lies in my company. And then I look at them and I go, but have you mapped it out? Being able to put your organizational chart in a framework to show a buyer that here’s our C-suite of leadership. These are the folks below them and not necessarily listing out the people’s names, but just their titles, their roles and responsibilities. Being able to document your organizational structure is really important to provide the footprint, the mapping of your company to a third party, so they know that you know how your operations actually work and who are the most important people or the most important jobs and roles within the organization. Your people, your process are two very important parts of the value of your company. So being able to document that organizational chart with the roles of the folks that you have in your company is one of the other next steps in getting ready to be acquired.

Assemble your team of advisors

Getting your team of advisors together and people, you know, clients of ours look to us and say, “Well, you’re my advisor, Deanna, so you’re part of the team.” And I said, “Yes.” And we need to make sure we have the proper legal counsel. Your corporate attorney might be a great person to help you with this deal, but perhaps you may want to have somebody else who maybe specializes in mergers and acquisitions from a corporate legal counsel assist. Your wealth management advisor who should be ready to receive potentially your after-tax cash flow from the sale of your business should also be part of your advisory group. And the current operations of the company may already have a banker involved where you might have loans and obligations to that bank, and they too need to be part of that team of advisors. Getting ready to sell your company, you need all of these people to provide you counsel through the journey of selling your business. And most importantly, the banker, if you do have obligations with the bank, you know, any change of ownership, any look to sell your company, they need to be definitely included in that conversation early rather than later.

Understand the value of your company

Understanding the value of your company. Here we see lots of our clients look and say, okay, I think my company is worth X dollars. If we go to the marketplace, this is how much I should get for my company. This is the multiple of EBITDA that I might need. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. A key role in determining value in the marketplace sometimes is a multiple of your EBITDA. Well, that might be true. However, we have clients that come to us and say, oh, I need Cray Kaiser to do a business valuation so you guys can tell me how much I’m worth so that I can go pedal my company out in the public market. And I would say, I’m not sure we really need a business valuation. The business valuation may be a great educational tool for owners so that they can decide how much a third party might look to their company and value them at, but it’s an expensive cost to have where markets, fair market value is probably mostly looked at in terms of what will the market provide. There’s lots of different factors that a buyer might look to you. You may have a certain product or service that they don’t have in their company. So there’s synergetic reasons for that other company to look at you and provide you a higher value than might be what you’re looking for. There’s other reasons that somebody may want to come and buy you from a demographic perspective. They don’t have a business in Chicago and they want to have a footprint in Chicago. Therefore it gives you even a higher value than what you might even compute in a business valuation. So I guess, you know, out of the value, I would say, you know, understanding what and how somebody might look at you as an important part of your process. What I can tell you, your value is not. It’s not what the owners need to retire. We often hear from clients, “Well, I need X million dollars so that I can retire and have my life after my business.” And I would say, “Okay, that might be a number, but it probably isn’t the number.” What the fair market value will bring to you, you really do need to start that process of going out into the market and getting a couple of different buyers potentially interested parties in your business. You know, only selling to one business is probably where you’ll end, but as you work through the process, it’s probably in your best favor to have multiple companies looking at you to create a competitive environment to drive up that value perhaps, or just to become a little bit more popular in that space to really determine for yourself what is the value that you might need for your company.

Get a non-disclosure agreement

One of the next points that I think is really important, as business owners get excited to the idea of selling their company, they’ve kind of come to their crescendo, if you will. It’s time for me to exit my company. It’s time to sell, they get really excited, and when people are interested in them, they get even more excited. And when you get excited, oftentimes I see clients letting the horse out of the barn way too early. So don’t let the horse out of the barn. And what I mean here is, don’t give away so much financial information before you have a non-disclosure agreement. A non-disclosure agreement is also known as an NDA. It is fine to have great conversations over drinks, over dinner. It’s important for the buyer to get that information from you, all the tribal knowledge, all the history of the company, and that can be done in lots of different conversations. But as soon as you start providing them financial information, historical financial statements, historical tax returns, that’s where you really need to get that NDA out there in front of any of that financial reporting. I would also say that if a buyer wants to start getting copies of customer lists and vendors’ lists and sales by customer and wages by employee, all of that information will be shared with them, but during due diligence. And that’s long after you’ve already signed a letter of intent and I’ll talk about that in just a minute. But in terms of not letting the horse out of the barn, that’s really keep your information guarded. Certainly give them all the intelligence about your company, the story, the history, the products, the people, the energy around the company. You can give them the financial information and the tax return information, however only start giving them some tangible information after you have a non-disclosure agreement signed.

Dhruv Panchal

CPA | Tax Supervisor

The IRS released an official form for electing IRC § 83(b). This election has been around for quite some time. For many recipients, it is a tax advantageous election for unvested restricted stock received. No substantive change has been made to the law under IRC § 83(b). However, the IRS released Form 15620 which gives the transferor another way to elect 83(b).

What is an 83(b) election?

This election merely advances a taxable event to when unvested property is received. When filed timely by the transferor, it allows tax to be assessed at the grant date instead of the vesting date. Many times, this is used for startup companies with a low value; therefore, the taxation upon an 83(b) election is limited. The election also starts the clock for determining the holding period upon sale. When the stock vests, there is no tax paid as the compensation income was recognized upon the 83(b) election date. Once sold, you pay capital gains on the difference of sale price and the value of the stock when the compensation was recognized.

If no election is made, then you won’t pay taxes until the restricted stock vests. The risk with this is if the value at vesting is higher than grant, you will be paying ordinary rates on this compensation income at fair market value. This is a big cash flow issue for taxpayers, as tax is due even if the stock is not sold.    

What the 83(b) election allows is the flexibility to pay ordinary tax at grant date, where value would be usually lower. Accelerating the income also provides for a higher chance of getting beneficial long-term capital gains rates. However, the downside to the election is if you have paid tax early and the value of the stock drops, then this will not result in a tax benefit.     

Example

Let’s say you receive $1,000 worth of restricted stock with vesting in Year 3. If the 83(b) election is filed timely, then you would pay ordinary income tax on $1,000 of compensation in the year you received restricted stock. If ordinary rates are 37% at the highest bracket, you would pay $370. In Year 3, when stock vests at $20,000, there is no tax liability. If you decide to sell In Year 5 when the stock is $25,000, then you will pay capital gains tax on the difference between sale price and grant price which would be $24,000. Capital gains at 20% would translate to $4,800 tax due in Year 5. 
Total taxes paid on this restricted block would be $5,170 ($370 + $4,800).

If we assume the same facts as above, but no 83(b) election was made, then you would have no tax due at grant date (Year 1). However, when stock vests in Year 3, you would be liable for $7,400 (ordinary rate of 37% times vesting amount of $20,000). And if you keep the stock until Year 5 and then sell it, the capital gain would be $5,000 (difference between vesting and sale price). Tax due at 20% would be $1,000.   
Total taxes paid on this restricted block would be $8,400 ($7,400 + $1,000).

Takeaway

The IRC § 83(b)election has not changed. The IRS merely released a Form to make the election If you expect to receive nonvested property in connection with performance of services, and you believe the 83(b) election to be beneficial to you, it is imperative that the 83(b) election is made within 30 days as there is no late filing relief.  

As this election can be murky, Cray Kaiser is here to help you navigate potential pitfalls and opportunities. Please call us today at 630-953-4900.

Sarah Gutierrez

Accounting & Tax Specialist

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced the annual inflation adjustments for tax year 2025. Although the adjustments will generally apply to individual tax returns filed in 2026, it’s helpful to see how taxes will change in the future and understand how you may be affected. Here are some of the highlights of these changes.

Income Rate Brackets

The top tax rate for 2025 remains at 37%. The 37% rate will apply to individual single taxpayers with income greater than $626,350 and married couples filing jointly with income greater than $751,600.

The other rates are:

Standard Deduction updates

Due to an increase in inflation, the standard deductions will increase as well.

Adjustments to Retirement Accounts

The limits on annual contributions for qualified retirement plans have also been updated for 2025, along with the phaseout ranges.

Deductible IRA phaseout ranges

Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they meet certain conditions including income limitations.

Roth IRA income phase out

Singles and head of households increased to between $150,000 and $165,000, up $4,000.

Married Couples Filing Jointly increased to between $236,000 and $246,000, up $6,000.

Annual Exclusion for gifts

Increases to $19,000, up $1,000.

Estate and gift lifetime exemption

Increases to $13.99 million, up from $13.61 million in 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the 2025 inflation adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact Cray Kaiser today or call us at (630) 953-4900.

Cray Kaiser is proud to announce that Deanna Salo, Managing Principal at Cray Kaiser, has been named a 2025 Chicago Titan 100 honoree. This marks her second year receiving this prestigious recognition. The Titan 100 program celebrates the region’s most accomplished business leaders based on their exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. The 2025 Titan 100 honorees collectively represent companies employing over 439,000 individuals and generating more than $70 billion in annual revenues.

Earning a Titan 100 recognition for two consecutive years is no small feat. The process requires reapplying and undergoing a fierce evaluation by an independent selection committee, raising the bar even higher for the competition. If selected, second-year honorees have the opportunity to further relationships within the Titan 100 community, deepening their connections and amplifying their impact.

Reflecting on her second-year recognition, Deanna shared, “Being recognized as a second-year Titan 100 honoree is an incredible honor. It’s a testament to the value of persistence, collaboration, and the power of building meaningful connections. This recognition inspires me to continue pushing boundaries, supporting others, and contributing to the growth of our business community in even greater ways.”

Our Cray Kaiser team congratulates Deanna on this outstanding achievement and for continuing to exemplify the core values that make Cray Kaiser a trusted leader throughout the Chicago business community. We look forward to seeing how her contributions continue to inspire and shape the future.

Starting January 1, 2024, a significant number of businesses were required to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The CTA was enacted into law as part of the National Defense Act for Fiscal Year 2021. It is anticipated that 32.6 million businesses will be required to comply with this reporting requirement. The BOI reporting requirement intends to help U.S. law enforcement combat money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other illicit activity. To learn more about the CTA, listen to this audio blog by Matt Richardson, a senior tax accountant at CK.

Transcript:

My name is Matt Richardson. I’m a senior tax accountant at Cray Kaiser.

So the Corporate Transparency Act is a piece of legislation that went into effect in 2024. And it requires certain companies to report their beneficial ownership information, also known as BOI. And this is a report that goes not to the IRS, but to the FinCEN, which is the Financial Crimes Enforcement network, which is the law enforcement arm of the US Treasury Department. Information that needs to be reported for the business includes the full legal name and any DBA names ortrade names, a business address and the state or jurisdiction of formation, and an IRS taxpayer ID number. Additionally, information has to be reported for each beneficial owner, including a name, address, and an ID number from a valid ID like a passport or a driver’s license. With a few exceptions, the filing is required for any domestic corporations, limited liability companies, or other entities that are formed by a filing with a secretary of state or a similar office to do business under a state or a tribal jurisdiction. Foreign-incorporated entities are also required to file if they’re registered with a state or tribal jurisdiction to do business, and domestic entities that are not created by filing with a secretary of state, like an unincorporated sole proprietorship, are not required to file this reporting.

So a beneficial owner under the CTA is any individual who has substantial control over the company, either directly or indirectly. It can also include anyone who controls at least 25% of ownership. And this is important to note because it’s not only ownership, but it’s also control. So a non-owner officer who has decision-making power can also be considered a beneficial owner under the legislation. The purpose of the BOI is to aid law enforcement and enforcement of financial crimes like fraud, money laundering, sanctions evasion, and the financing of other crimes like terrorism or drug trafficking. And this disclosure of corporate ownership is intended to make it harder for criminals to use shell companies to cover up the financial aspects of their criminal activities. So the BOI reporting requirement has exceptions for certain categories of companies, as well as what it calls large operating entities. The specific categories of companies are highly regulated areas like banking and publicly traded companies and non-profit entities. A large operating entity is defined as any company that has 20 or more employees, five million dollars in gross sales or more, and a physical presence in the United States.

Many are confused about why large companies are exempt from reporting rather than small companies. Since so many government reporting requirements do exempt small companies. But this is because in general these larger companies are going to be visible to law enforcement and regulators through other types of tax and payroll banking reports. Whereas the purpose of the legislation is to make these smaller companies more visible, I mean, easier to track ownership for law enforcement.

So there are different filing requirements for the BOI report depending on when the entity was formed. New entities created in 2024 have 90 days after their creation to file the report. New entities created starting January 1st, 2025 have 30 days to file the report and existing entities created before January 1st, 2024 have until January 1st, 2025 to file the report. And then any companies that have a change in their ownership information or have a correction of an error to report have 30 days from the discovery of the error or from the change in information to file an updated report.

Penalties for willful non-compliance are steep, so the risk involved in shirking the requirements are serious. Consequences can include civil penalties of over $500 per day that the report has filed late, and those can escalate to up to $10,000 in criminal fines or up to two years in jail time. These requirements are generally covered by the Treasury Department’s criminal enforcement arm, which is different than the tax law and IRS matters that CPAs are generally authorized to address. And there are some legal complexities in determining who is a beneficial owner and who is subject to the requirement that need the expertise of a lawyer.

Amy Langfelder

CPA | CK Principal

As the accounting industry evolves, businesses increasingly rely on advisory services to navigate the complexities of their financial landscapes. CAS (Client Accounting Services) and CAAS (Client Accounting Advisory Services) are two such services often discussed. Although these acronyms may sound similar, they represent distinct offerings tailored to different needs. At Cray Kaiser, we aim to empower our clients with the knowledge they need to confidently make informed decisions. By understanding the differences between CAS and CAAS, you can understand which service best aligns with your business’s unique requirements.

What is CAS?

Client Accounting Services (CAS) refers to the traditional accounting services that businesses rely on to manage their financial records and transactions. These services are essential for maintaining accurate financial data and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. CAS focuses on the day-to-day accounting functions that keep a business running smoothly.

Services typically included in CAS:

Bookkeeping: Managing daily financial transactions, including recording sales, expenses, and other activities.

Payroll Services: Processing employee payroll or working with a payroll provider, managing deductions, and ensuring compliance with tax laws.

Financial Reporting: Preparing financial statements and reports that provide insights into the business’s financial health.

Tax Preparation and Compliance: Ensuring businesses meet their tax obligations and prepare necessary tax filings.

What is CAAS?

Client Accounting Advisory Services (CAAS) takes CAS further by combining traditional accounting services with high-level strategic advice and guidance. It is designed to handle routine accounting functions and provide insights that help businesses make informed decisions and achieve their goals. By integrating advisory services with accounting functions, CAAS offers a more comprehensive approach.

Services typically included in CAAS:

All CAS Services: Including bookkeeping, payroll, financial reporting, and tax compliance.

Strategic Planning: Assisting businesses in developing long-term strategies for growth and success.

Financial Forecasting and Budgeting: Providing insights into future financial performance and helping businesses plan accordingly.

Business Process Improvement: Identifying inefficiencies in business processes and recommending improvements.

Risk Management: Helping businesses identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Key Differences Between CAS and CAAS

The primary difference between CAS and CAAS lies in the level of advisory support provided. While CAS focuses on the essential accounting functions necessary to keep a business operational, CAAS offers strategic advice and guidance beyond that. CAAS is ideal for businesses that need both reliable accounting services and the added benefit of high-level advisory support to drive growth and efficiency.

CK, CAAS, and You

At Cray Kaiser, we recognize that no two engagements are alike, which is why our proactive strategies are customized to meet each client’s unique needs. Whether you’re looking for dependable accounting support, strategic guidance, or a combination of both, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of your financial landscape—all under one roof.

If you’re ready to learn more about the CK team and how CAAS can benefit your business, call (630) 953-4900 or click here.

In Cray Kaiser’s Employee Spotlight series, we highlight a member of our CK team. We’re proud of the team we’ve grown and excited for you to get to know them. This month, we’re shining our spotlight on Ryan Maloney.

GETTING TO KNOW RYAN

Ryan plays an integral role as a Staff Accountant on the assurance team at Cray Kaiser. In his day-to-day work, Ryan performs various audit tests and corresponds with clients, ensuring that all processes are thorough and accurate. During tax season, he also steps in to assist with tax return preparations, showcasing his adaptability across different areas of accounting. Ryan is eager to learn and make the most of the opportunities provided at CK to develop his skills further.

Before joining CK, Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Goshen College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. His previous role as an accounting tutor allowed him to impact fellow students’ journeys, sparking his passion for helping others.

WHY CK?

Ryan joined the CK team in July of this past year. He was drawn to the firm by the warm and welcoming team members he met during his interview process and by the opportunity to grow in an environment that values learning. At CK, he appreciates being able to work across different facets of accounting, building a foundation for a successful career.

 For Ryan, CK’s core value of education resonates deeply. He views every day as a learning opportunity and is grateful for the support and mentorship he receives from experienced colleagues. Ryan credits his rapid growth to the guidance of the CK team, who genuinely care about his development as a young accountant.

Ryan advises newcomers to the accounting field to take note of feedback from managers. He emphasizes the importance of reflecting on review comments and implementing them in future tasks, as this has been a key learning method for him.

MORE ABOUT RYAN

What’s your hidden talent?

My hidden talent is that I am very good at solving Rubik’s Cubes. I have a collection of them, with the largest being 8×8 sides. My fastest time with a 3×3 (normal-sized) is 11 seconds.

What’s on your vacation bucket list?

My #1 vacation spot would be Ireland. I have never been, but my grandparents immigrated from Ireland, and the pictures I have seen are amazing.

Favorite TV Show?

My favorite TV show is Peaky Blinders on Netflix. The movie is coming out soon, so maybe this will be my favorite movie, too!

What’s on your music playlist?

My music playlist is basically all country music. I have many favorite artists, but number one is Darius Rucker.

Although you can’t avoid taxes, you can take steps to minimize them. This requires proactive tax planning – estimating your tax liability, looking for ways to reduce it and taking timely action. To help you identify strategies that might work for you, we’re pleased to present the 2024 – 2025 Tax Planning Guide.

Inside the Guide:

Micah Vant Hoff

CPA, CVA | CK Principal

Whether expected or unforeseen, the need for a business valuation can happen in a number of scenarios, each unique to your business. Perhaps you’re preparing to exit and pass the torch to the next generation, or maybe you’re seeking financing for your next big venture. A valuation may be needed for gifting or estate planning purposes, or to evaluate a potential buyout offer. Whatever the reason, Cray Kaiser is here to provide the precise valuation you need to make informed decisions.

Gathering and preparing key information and documentation is crucial to ensuring a smooth and efficient valuation process. While every situation is different and may require additional details, we have provided some of the basics that may be requested by Cray Kaiser to complete a business valuation.

Financial Statements

The backbone of any business valuation is the business’s financial health, which is primarily assessed through detailed financial reporting. This includes:

If you need what we call an “accounting catch-up,” we offer a one-time onboarding service to ensure you have up-to-date, accurate financial data.

Tax Returns

Obtaining your business tax returns for the past three to five years helps us further understand your tax obligations and adjustments that may need to be made for the valuation.

Organizational Documents

Key organizational documents provide context and structure for your business operations, as well as spelling out the rights and restrictions applicable to the ownership interest being valued . These may include:

Industry Information

Understanding the broader context in which your business operates is essential. You may be asked to provide any relevant industry reports, trade publications or trade association resources, market analyses, and competitive benchmarking data.

Legal Documents and Contracts

Any legal documents that could affect your business’s value will be requested, including:

Historical Data and Anecdotal Information

Historical context and anecdotal insights can provide valuable background for your valuation. In developing a conclusion of the value of your business, we gain an understanding of the history of your company, notable events, growth milestones, or challenges that have shaped your business. We will also work closely with you to assess the company’s strengths, competitive advantages, and position in the marketplace, as well as any threats and risks affecting the company.

Educating and Empowering You Through the Process

The documents listed above are just the starting point for a business valuation. Because your business is unique, additional documentation will likely be needed to capture its full value. At Cray Kaiser, every business valuation begins with a thorough discussion to understand your specific reasons and goals. From there, we’ll provide a tailored list of all required documentation to ensure an accurate and comprehensive valuation.

We recognize that each situation comes with its own complexities, and we’re here to guide you through the process. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact Cray Kaiser today to begin your business valuation journey.

In Cray Kaiser’s Employee Spotlight series, we highlight a member of the CK team. We couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve grown and we’re excited for you to get to know them. This month we’re shining our spotlight on Sohaiba Khan.

GETTING TO KNOW SOHAIBA

Sohaiba is an Accounting Services Specialist at Cray Kaiser, where she plays a crucial role in maintaining financial accuracy. Her day-to-day responsibilities include reconciling accounts, managing the AF roll forward, handling bookkeeping, and preparing returns. With such a diverse range of tasks, no two days are ever the same for Sohaiba as she navigates various accounting and tax-related challenges with expertise.

Looking ahead, Sohaiba aspires to deepen her expertise in tax regulations and accounting technologies, recognizing these areas as pivotal to the industry’s future. She is committed to embracing new challenges and continuously expanding her skill set to make an even more significant impact in her role.

Before joining Cray Kaiser, Sohaiba gained valuable experience working with various firms and companies, which enriched her skills and allowed her to thrive in diverse cultural and professional environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Governors State University, where she built a strong foundation. This background has equipped her with the knowledge and expertise to excel at Cray Kaiser.

WHY CK?

Sohaiba joined the Cray Kaiser team in July 2024, eager to dive into a role offering comprehensive exposure to tax and accounting services. The dynamic work environment and the promise of continuous learning and growth immediately attracted her, allowing her to make meaningful contributions from day one.

The core values that resonate most with Sohaiba are education, integrity, and care. She believes fostering a culture of continuous learning, upholding ethical standards, and genuinely caring for clients and colleagues is essential for personal and professional growth.

When it comes to her favorite CK outing, Sohaiba enjoyed this year’s “Spa Day and Golf Card.” It provided a delightful opportunity to unwind and bond with colleagues, allowing her to relax and recharge while enjoying some well-deserved downtime.

MORE ABOUT SOHAIBA

If you could be an expert at anything, what would it be and why?

Cooking has always been a passion of mine; I started cooking when I was just 11 years old. I truly believe that food has the power to bring people and cultures together and create moments of joy and connection.

How do you like to spend your weekends/time off? Bonus question: what do you want to do most when tax season is over?

During my weekends and time off, I love to spend quality time with my family, immerse myself in good books, and take the opportunity to rest and recharge. After the busy tax season, I look forward to relaxing and possibly exploring new recipes in the kitchen.

What motto do you live by?

My motto is, “When you do good, God does you good.” This belief encourages me to lead a life of kindness and integrity, knowing that my actions can positively impact others.

What’s your favorite movie or tv show?

“Catch Me If You Can” on Netflix!