I loved working in the tax department, but I wanted a deeper hands-on understanding of all areas of a practice, so after 18 months or so I transferred into the Accounting department. Although this move was questioned by my Tax department peers, it turned out to be prudent since I moved to Springfield, Missouri less than two years later. Practicing in a smaller city like Springfield requires knowledge not only in taxation but also in accounting services.  This decision significantly affected my needed abilities to perform both tax and accounting services which led me to focus on small business clients (less than 30 employees).

The move from Phoenix to Missouri was a result of a trip we made to visit the Springfield/Branson area in the summer of 1986. I loved the Ozarks and made a few phone calls to interview with local CPA firms. I accepted a job offer and we relocated within two months.

After working as a CPA for a local firm and eventually as a partner, I started my own practice in 1998. For many years I was a sole practitioner until bringing on a new CPA partner in 2010. The partnership quickly grew as we were better able to support the needs of our clients. We both enjoy leveraging new technology since it benefits both our staff and our clients.

In late 2015 all this technology had allowed me to relocate to Sedona, AZ for various reasons.  Thanks to all our paperless advances the team can work no differently than if we were across town and the office presence in Springfield gives me a place for clients to drop off and pick up papers.

In December 2016 I moved my remote home office in Sedona to a brick and mortar location in Cottonwood. In August of 2017 my wife and I purchased a house in Cottonwood which has the small town feel like I loved in Monett, Missouri. It just feels like home.

In November 2017 my  partner and I decided that it was easier for each of us to end our great partnership.  It was a great experience together.  We have remained close friends and hope her and her tech husband can come to visit us soon.

In May of 2021 my wife and I purchased an office building at 657 E. Cottonwood St Suite 8C in Cottonwood and moved in mid July 2021 after completing a medium remodel job.

We love Cottonwood and Arizona!

Member of the Arizona Society of CPA’s.

Member of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP).

Scott’s Other Talent

I’m a model railroader and love building highly detailed train models. OK, maybe I love details a bit too much.

For years I had been building small scenes covered in a glass case called “dioramas”.   I have only one left and kept at my office with the other five in museums.   Dioramas are a great way to enjoy building highly detailed miniature scenes if you don’t have enough room to build a train layout.

My model railroading dream was to get a picture of a model that I built published in a hobby train magazine. This happened starting in 2007 with the publishing of the Clyde Kinzey freight forwarding scene in Fine Scale Railroader. In 2008 the Foss Landing was published followed by the Railroad Car Repair Shop which are all listed below as a link to the original article and pictures.

In late 2015 I became interested in Sn3 gauge modeling.  For years I had heard about Sn3 gauge (1/64th scale which is between HO and O gauge) and admired PBL’s beautiful locomotives which come fully weathered and made of brass with exquisite running capabilities. The downsides were the price of the locomotives and the limited building kits and detail parts available for Sn3. In the summer of 2015 I got serious about switching to Sn3 and was sold; within weeks I sold most of my On3 items. I purchased three Sn3 locomotives and met the owners of PBL (a great story that I’d be happy to share over the phone). I also started building a movable train layout in Sn3 along with building rolling stock and buildings.

My entire third bedroom plus part of the family room (the later was a gracious gift by my wife when Covid started) was the home of my current Sn3 layout – it all got removed in the fall of 2023 with the move to Springfield.   I had been modeling the era of the early 1940’s of the Denver Rio Grand Western railroad that operated in Southwestern Colorado – same equipment i currently operating on the excursion railroads of Durango and Silverton and the Chama and Antonito.

Clyde Kinzey Freight Company

The Clyde Kinzey Freight scene is what I imagine a freight forwarding service in the Colorado Rockies in the 40’s might have looked like. Click here to see Scott’s published article.

Repair Shop

This railroad car repair shop scene is one of my favorites. I have a few hidden surprises in this one that give it special meaning to me. Click here to see Scott’s published article part 1. Click here to see Scott’s published article part 2.

Foss Landing

Foss Landing is a picturesque harbor scene set in the 1930’s. Dioramas with water features have their own unique challenges. Click here to see Scott’s published article part 1. Click here to see Scott’s published article part 2.

Scott’s Hobby Links