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Q. When and why did you decide to go into accounting?

My dad was in the grocery business, next to our home, so I was always around a business. However, when I graduated from high school, I went to school for engineering, which I discovered wasn’t for me.

At age 21, I went into the candy tobacco wholesale business. I had about $80,000 of my dad’s money in salable inventory in 1957. I really didn’t know if I was making a profit or loss, so I went to the local business college to take bookkeeping to find out. Shazam, I had never heard of accounting, so a whole new world opened up for me.

Business was not that profitable. I sold the inventory, paid my dad, went to Youngstown State University to major in accounting and minor in economics. After graduation, I went to work for Arthur Anderson, and found out that I hated auditing.

I then went to work for the IRS auditing tax returns. After 4 ½ years, I recognized the fact that there was a need to help small businesses with their tax compliance. So, I became a CPA and purchased a small tax practice.

Q. What qualities make a good accountant?

It is a given that if you are a CPA, you understand accounting. However, understanding business is different, and knowing how the IRS works gives you insight into complex areas of tax law. This equips you to be able to help clients make tax-saving and sound business decisions. Sometimes, you have to look past the numbers to make a good decision. You need to listen to what is troubling your clients, and be responsive quickly after they call you for help.

Q. What areas of the business do you focus on?

My main focus is on tax planning, tax consulting, tax preparation of individual, corporate trusts and partnership LLC. As a Certified Business Valuation Analyst, I also perform business valuation consulting in business transitioning and estate planning.

Q. What has been the greatest moment in your career?

I can’t recall any greatest moment in my career. I just feel blessed that I am doing what I am doing and able to provide beneficial services to my clients.

Q. What do you do outside the office for fun?

I like to work in my yard growing flowers, golf trap shooting and dancing.

What qualities make a good accountant?

I think attention to detail and the ability to communicate with clients, among other things, make for a good accountant. Sometimes, this requires translating technical accounting information or tax issues into terms that can be understood by someone not trained in our field. Being able to bridge that gap helps us give the client the best possible service. 

What areas of the business do you focus on?

My responsibilities include a little bit (or a lot, during busy season) of everything from individual taxes, to corporation taxes, as well as accounting and QuickBooks consulting. 

When and why did you decide to go into accounting?

When I started college at Youngstown State (graduated summa cum laude), I wasn’t sure what major I wanted to pursue. However, after taking some business courses I found myself becoming interested in accounting. The rest is history.

What was the greatest moment in your career?

Passing the CPA exam! The exam, which is given in 4 sections, is considered to be one of the most difficult professional license tests to pass. According to the AICPA, the passage rates for each section so far in 2016 are: Auditing & Attestation – 46.4%, Business Environment & Concepts – 56.6%, Financial Accounting & Reporting – 46.4% and Regulation – 49.4%.)

What do you do outside the office for fun?

In my spare time, I like to spend time with family, enjoy the outdoors and travel. I’ve also served in the community as treasurer of both the Salem Rotary and Salem YMCA, and on the board of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

(Laurie Chaffee is a Certified Public Accountant and works in BWLK’s Salem office. She celebrated her 25^th anniversary at the firm in 2015. To reach her with accounting related questions or schedule an appointment, call 330-332-4646.)

What qualities make a good accountant? 

I didn’t really decide to go into accounting. I first applied at BWLK for a secretarial position and found that I enjoyed accounting and have an aptitude for it. I’ve moved up through the company over the past nearly 16 years, and am a Registered Tax Return Preparer.

What areas of the business do you focus on?

I’m active in many areas of the business, including client payroll preparation and compliance, individual and business tax return preparation and review, accounting and workpaper completion, and various general office duties as needed.

When and why did you decide to go into accounting?

I didn’t really decide to go into accounting. I first applied at BWLK for a secretarial position and found that I enjoyed accounting and have an aptitude for it. I’ve moved up through the company over the past nearly 16 years, and am a Registered Tax Return Preparer.

What was the greatest moment in your career?

Passing the Registered Tax Return Preparer test was very exciting for me. It was the culmination of everything I’d studied up to that point.

What do you do outside the office for fun?

I spend time with my boyfriend and my children, Lillian (age 11) and Liam (9). I enjoy music, board games, crocheting, and minor league baseball games.

Q. What qualities make a good accountant? 

A. There are the obvious answers like attention to detail, being able to stay current on the ever-changing accounting rules and tax regulations.  Although these are crucial, I don’t think that is what separates accountants as consultants and service providers.

I believe the best way to provide value is to take a genuine interest in clients’ businesses.  You have to examine the clients’ challenges and attempt to equip them with the tools they need to be successful.  Sometimes, clients are not aware of what they need and what we can do to help.  The task is listening to their problem and providing a suitable solution.  

Q. What areas of the business do you focus on?

A. Everyone in our firm is essentially a general practitioner.  However, we have a large enough staff to be able to have some areas of emphasis.  I oversee our accounting and financial reporting services and the quality control system for issuing financial statements that have been compiled and reviewed.

We also perform what are known in the accounting field as “agreed upon procedures.”  For many organizations, especially some not-for-profits, these serve as “cash audits.”  Although these types of services are not truly “audits” in the technical sense, they can provide what the organization needs without the cost of a complete financial statement audit.     

I also complete many of our not-for-profit clients’ federal form 990s to comply with their IRS requirements. In addition, I oversee and perform the monthly accounting and year-end tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies.   

Q. When and why did you decide to go into accounting?

A. I really just fell into it.  In high school, I took a one-half credit accounting class because I was leaning toward pursuing a college degree in business. A funny thing happened - I was hooked. I liked the way the whole accounting process came together. The rest is history.

Q. What has been the greatest moment in your career?

A. I honestly cannot name a particular moment.  I love the feeling of completing a project for the client and knowing that it was valuable to them.  I also take pride when I have worked with a client for a period of time, and they think enough of what I have done for them to call me “just to bounce a question” or get my opinion on a business decision they are considering.  

Q. What do you do outside the office for fun?

A. I am very involved with a local Boy Scout troop. I enjoy golf, camping and backpacking when in my free time. 

BWLK principal Daniel D. Wolfe at the July 2015 chamber of commerce expo.

Q. What qualities make a good accountant? 

A. Listening, understanding, intuitiveness. Though some do not, all accountants should have the technical skills to perform their jobs, especially in the areas of their concentration, but there is something above those skills need to make a “good” accountant. I think a good accountant will partner up with clients and become an integral part of the client’s organization. In order to achieve this level, I believe you need listen, understand and be intuitive.  

Q. What areas of the business do you focus on? 

A. My primary area is taxation, but with my background, I find myself frequently working with business management and financial planning. Along with my 20+ years in public accounting, I have 16 years of manufacturing experience as vice president, chief financial officer and human resources director. I also have passed my Series 65 exam that allows me to be a registered investment advisor representative.

Q. Does being a CPA bring community responsibilities?

A. Being a CPA creates a skill set that can be valuable in any size community. I have always felt a responsibility to use my skills to support the community I live and work in. I am the current president of the Southern Columbiana County Regional Chamber of Commerce, trustee of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary (Rochester, NY), a member of the board of directors at Columbiana County Memorial Park, past chairman of the board of Tri-State Federal Credit Union and past president of Calcutta Rotary. I have held several positions in my local church and the associated district of churches.

Q. When and why did you decide to go into accounting?  

A. I came in through the back door. Going into my senior year of high school, my game plan was to major in music until I became concerned that this would lead to being a high school band director (please, no offense to band directors). While dealing with this dilemma, I happened to speak with a local CPA who asked about my plans and I answered, “I guess major in business,” with no clue what that really meant. He suggested accounting and said, “If you major in accounting, you can get a job and migrate to any other part of business you may like from there.” As simple as that sounds, it made perfect sense to me. So here I am, and I never looked back.

Q. What was the greatest moment in your career?

A. Though strange, I would have to say the entire career so far. I have met so many good and inspiring people, dealt with many interesting business individuals and learned more than I ever dreamed I would. To paraphrase a great attorney and friend of mine, “I am blessed to have had such an adventure, to learn so much and have success on my limited abilities.” 

Eugene E. Byler is treasurer at BWLK and heads up its tax division.

Q. What qualities make a good accountant? 

A. I believe a competent accountant is knowledgeable, detail-oriented and service-oriented, and has a desire to find errors and correct them. Many of my clients become friends, as well. As a colleague of mine recently told me, you can’t become so deeply involved with your clients’ financial issues without it becoming personal for you.

Q. What areas of the business do you focus on? 

A. My primary area of expertise is taxation, but I also spend considerable time consulting businesses on non-tax issues. Although I have a specialty in agricultural taxation, I have prepared a variety of tax returns, with numerous state implications, including trusts and estates and gift tax returns, as well as partnership and corporate tax returns for a large variety of businesses.

I am the firm’s primary consultant for SAGE (formerly Peachtree) software.  I have earned a Certificate in Educational Achievement from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for a comprehensive course in tax planning and advising for closely held businesses. I am a member of the AICPA, the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, the National Association of Tax Practitioners and the Salem Kiwanis.  

Q. When and why did you decide to go into accounting?  

A. When I was 5 years old, a friend of mine who was the clerk for Green Township allowed me to assist him with the financial records. He allowed me to pull the handle on the old adding machine he used. (I’m not sure if it was more of a nuisance to him, but it got me interested).  Then in high school, I completed the two-year basic accounting course in just one year. The teacher (Mrs. Mink) suggested that I consider going to college for accounting. 

Due to my early exposure and my desire to attend college, it seemed like a natural idea. During my first quarter at Youngstown State University, I took an accounting course. God and I had a little discussion about where he wanted me to go with my life. I asked Him to allow me to earn an “A” in the course if accounting was the direction I should go in. After earning that grade, there was little doubt in my mind where God wanted me to be, and what I was to do with my life.

Q. What was the greatest moment in your career?

A. That is difficult to pinpoint. I get a “high” every time I help a client with a problem or master a difficult task.  If I had to pick a moment, it probably would be when I became an owner of Byler, Wolfe, Lutsch & Kampfer (formerly A.S. Fricano & Co.) in 1991.

Q. What do you do outside the office for fun? 

A. I enjoy gardening, woodworking and spending time with my wife and children. I am on my son’s Boy Scout troop executive committee, and just became the treasurer of the church we attend.