As people settle into the new year and work at their resolutions, one local company can assist with a resolution that is increasingly common. Breeden and Associates Tax and Business Services, LLC provides accounting and tax services for individuals and businesses, assisting clients with IRS and state tax issues when they arrive, performing bookkeeping services, establishing accounting systems and maintaining them, assisting clients about to start new businesses and work with lawyers and financial advisors to assist clients with financial and estate planning as well as litigation support services.

If it has to do with money and making the proper decisions, Breeden and Associates can help.

Chris Breeden graduated from Valparaiso University in 1977 and obtained his CPA certificate. In 1983, after working for Coopers and Lybrand, he purchased an individual tax practice of close to 100 individuals and three businesses for $7,000. By the time he moved to Georgia in 2004, the business had grown to 1,600 individual clients and 200 business clients. Breeden tried out work in another industry but realized that accounting was for him.

He acquired some individual and business clients from Tidwell Dewitt in the summer of 2007 and moved into Breeden and Associates current location at Wisdom Pointe on Jan. 1, 2008. Breeden’s wife, Ruth, quit her nursing job to assist him as the office manager to start the business.

Breeden and Associates is a small firm but because of its size is able to give their clients a personal touch.

“We are a small enough firm that clients deal with me or set staff. They are not passed around from accountant to accountant or junior staff,” said Breeden “We are a responsive firm. We return all calls and emails immediately.”

Breeden feels one of the firm’s other strengths is their friendly attitude.
“We don’t act like the typical CPA,” said Breeden. “We try not to talk down to the clients or over their head. We try to explain things in simple matters that clients will understand instead of quoting IRS code sections that mean nothing to them. Clients know that our firm is looking out for their best interest.”

Breeden has 32 years of experience as a CPA and he and his associates stay on the cutting edge by staying informed with the latest laws and changes in the industry.

“I take a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education in tax and accounting issues each year. I have to constantly read (daily) tax and accounting newsletters that I receive each day,” said Breeden. “These updates keep me informed of the laws. I then train the staff on these issues and pass these newsletters to them. We also keep up with the most up to date tax and accounting programs on our computer.”

In addition to being a licensed CPA in both Indiana and Georgia, he is currently on the board of the local chapter of the Georgia CPA Society, has a Certificate of Achievement in Personal Financial Planning through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, has also had extensive training in Litigation Support Services and is a member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

By staying on top of his game, Breeden has been able to save his clients a lot of money. He mentioned saving one client who owed back taxes of $150,000, $80,000 by performing an Offer In Compromise and also told of saving a client $15,000 when the IRS stated that the person’s listing of their horse racing business was really a hobby. Breeden negotiated with the IRS and there was no change on the audit.

The business has grown. In addition to Chris and Ruth, there are three full time staff members and a part time staffer. In December, Lisa Rich joined the office. She owned her own bookkeeping business and has merged it with Breeden and Associates. Rich is now the manager of the bookkeeping, payroll services and sales tax areas of the firm.

“With the changing economy and constant change of tax laws these services are important so that a client can perform at their optimal level to achieve financial success,” said Breeden “This upcoming year will be a vital year for planning since the current tax law expires at the end of 2010. It means that tax laws will change that will effect everyone.”

Breeden & Associates Tax and Business Services, LLC, located at 277 Hwy 74 North, Suite 205, is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 1-Apr. 15. Phone 770-487-9166 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.