A new regular
feature of THE TAX PROFESSIONAL blog will be an interview with a prominent tax professional,
always asking the same 10 questions (some of which I have “borrowed” from
TaxGirl Kelly Phillips Erb’s “Getting to Know You” similar interview blog post
series).
I am kicking
off this feature with Gerard Cannito CPA, CFP of Denver NC, President of the
Board of Directors of the National Association of Tax Professionals.
1. First
question – why taxes?
I first fell in
love with taxes when I was a teenager helping my father with his sales tax
calculations when NJ first started the sales tax. He had a small luncheonette
and I had to tally the daily guest tickets to do the calculations
2. How did you
get started in “the business”?
My first job
was as a junior accountant in a small local CPA firm near the college I was
attending in 1975.
3. How did you
learn how to prepare tax returns?
I had not taken
my college tax courses at the time I got my first job with the CPA firm, so
they sent me to the H&R tax school to learn taxes.
4. What is your area of special interest?
Over the years,
I would have to say that my area of special interest is in construction
accounting and taxes.
5.What's the best tax advice that anyone ever
gave you?
When I was in
my first year working I asked the senior partner at lunchtime if he wanted to
go out to lunch and his reply was, “Lunch is for wimps!” Advice still practiced
today, although I do sneak out, once in a while.
6. If you had
the opportunity to rewrite the US Tax Code what deductions, credits, etc would
you keep and what deductions, credits, etc would you do away with?
There are so
many areas needing attention but if I must pick one I would say to eliminate
the Inheritance & Gift Tax regulations. Taxpayers should not be penalized
at death for the good job they did paying incomes taxes and preserving their
wealth while alive.
7. Do you think
the government, specifically the IRS, should license and regulate all tax
preparers?
Yes, I believe
there should be some sort of regulation. The manner and form is difficult
considering the diverse population of tax preparers doing taxes today, CPAs,
EAs, CFPS, uncredentialed, etc…
8. Other than
THE WANDERING TAX PRO or THE TAX PROFESSIONAL, what's your favorite tax related
blogs or web sites?
www.natptax.com
is my first go to when I need information.
9. If you
weren't working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
My dream job
was and is that of a jet fighter pilot. Somehow life got in the way.
10. What is
your favorite –
tv show – THE HONEYMOONERS
movie – TOP GUN (I would have given
Maverick a run for his money!)
Broadway musical – MAME
So, we both
started while in college in the 1970s, although I started as a college freshman
in 1972. I guess we both learned to
prepare taxes the best way – preparing manual returns.
We differ a bit
on the issue of licensing. While I see
the need for a voluntary tax credential other than EA, best case administered
by an independent industry-based organization, but not formal licensure, GC
supports some sort of actual regulation.
Good choice in
MAME. I saw the original on Broadway
with Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur as a youngster. I do believe that Jerry Herman was from my
home town of Jersey City NJ.
FYI, ACCOUNTING
WEB published an interview with Gerald last year on the topic of “Top Challenges for Tax Professionals: Now and in the Future”.
Thanks to GC
for being my first “meet and greet”.
Next up –
President of the NJ chapter of NATP.
TAFN
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