While we are not ready to launch Saye & Associates 2.0 – The Next Generation, we are in the middle of passing the baton from Ralph & Evelyn to me, their younger daughter, who has worked side-by-side with them for the past 26 years. Hence the 1.5 designation.
Ralph & Evelyn have floated the term “retirement” around and yet, they still come to work every day, work from the RV while they are traveling, and actively work with clients. Their definition of “retirement” is working less than 60 hours a week and it seems to work for them.
To “help” them retire the office is now located outside of their home. This was not a move we were planning to make. However, when the city decided to revoke our variance, we were blessed to be able to find a new location (outside the city, of course) and completely remodel the space. We are now on the lower level in the Oakridge Complex – No More Stairs! We cannot wait to show off our new space.
Our new office location is 491 E Columbia Ave, Suite 2, Battle Creek, MI 49014. Google has updated our address to help you find us. Click here for directions
Our mailing address and phone numbers have not changed. Our website and document uploader are also unchanged. No new technology to throw your way. Ralph says he cannot keep up.
What started as a dentist’s office has been transformed into an elegant office space; we hope you find it comfortable and inviting.
For those whom I have not yet had the pleasure to meet, I would like to introduce myself.
At home I am:
- Wife: I have been Mrs. Hoard for 26 years now
- Mom the Mean: now they thank me.
- Navy Mom: Proud of our kid’s service
- Chief Household Operator
Things you should know about me:
Do not mention food, theater, or books unless you have a lot of time on your hands, those are my favorite topics of conversation. When talking about tax law, I tend to glaze people’s eyes over. Never be afraid to interrupt me and ask me to shorten up the explanation.
Our family includes: a German Shepherd, a cockatiel, 3 tortoises, a love bird, a very fat cat, a ridiculously small cat, and a pit-bull grand puppy. Things are never dull at home.
I am a total nerd. I love reading tax court cases, Harvard Business Review, non-fiction, and political thrillers. My goal is to learn something new every day – I have amassed a great deal of random knowledge. My kids will tell you never to play trivia with me.
I enjoy cooking and trying new foods and flavors. With my schedule I do not get to do it as much as I like, but I am always ready for a new recipe.
I love what I do. I love the challenge, the puzzles, the unique combination of each client, and the opportunity to share my knowledge.
In the Office I am:
- An Enrolled Agent
- A Paralegal by education
- Chief Operating Officer
- Call Amy
- Chief Financial Officer for hire
- The Knower of Things
- And my Favorite – Head Chaos Coordinator
I have been preparing tax returns for over 20 years. I have experience with Individual, Self-Employed, Foreign Earned Income, Non-Residents, S-Corps, C Corps, Partnerships, 990s, and FBAR reporting.
I also have setup, fine-tuned, and completely rebuilt systems to adapt to our unique needs. Databases, project management, payroll, you name it. I have had the incredible opportunity to help develop a local food delivery service from the ground up. I now know more than I should about webhooks and APIs, but my Excel skills are top notch.
I am no stranger to the payroll or accounting world; I have spent my entire career working in both. This gives me a unique insight into a growing business. I understand that a small business owner has unique challenges as they balance the cashflow and the scale of their business. I know when it is time to step back and try something new or when a business may just need to put in place some structure and hire the right people to take their small start-up to a multi-million-dollar company.
I know what it feels like to have your mind whirling constantly and waking up in the middle of the night with either an “oh crap” moment or a “eureka” one. Either way, business owners tend to sleep less than most. I understand the pressure of having employees relying on your business for their livelihood. And I never kid when I ask a new business owner if they are ready to live without a paycheck for 5 years.
The complex nature of cash-flow, profit and loss, assets, debt, and the tax code can be incredibly daunting, even at an individual level. Every year, the laws change, and the code gets even longer. To keep my status with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) as an Enrolled Agent, I spend at least 24 hours each year reviewing and learning to ensure my knowledge and understanding is kept at an optimal level.
My goal with every client is to ensure that they are successful in their chosen endeavor and their tax exposure is minimized to ensure they can keep growing. I accomplish this by talking with clients, diving into their unique situation, asking them about their risk tolerance and tax preferences, and putting my 26 years of experience and knowledge to work for them. The type of work I do is based on a relationship of trust and I do not take that for granted. I am truly honored to have a client base that continues to grow simply on your referrals. Thank you.
As Ralph and Evelyn begin to slow down (only 50 hours a week?), I look forward to working with each one of you. I am truly honored to carry on the legacy Ralph and Evelyn have built. While the office has moved and some of the policies have changed, I guarantee the level of individualized, accessible, and professional service will always be the focus of our business. We only succeed when our clients are successful.
Be on the lookout for the next post about Saye & Associates 1.5, I have built an 8-week series to introduce you to my vision for the future of my parent’s legacy.
