The Partners of Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. would like to congratulate the following employees on the promotions to Senior Staff Accountants: Ko Tang Cha-Moses, Matt Braswell & Stacee Rash.
Ko Tang Cha-Moses started with the firm in January 2008 in the audit department. Ko Tang has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Accounting, both from Gardner-Webb University. Ko Tang recently received her CPA license through the NC State Board of Accountancy. Ko Tang resides in Morganton with her husband and two children.
Matthew Braswell started with the firm in July 2008 in the audit department. Matt has a Bachelor of Science with a major in accounting from Montreat College. Matt is CPA certified. Matt resides in Hudson with his wife, who is expecting their first child at the end of October.
Stacee Rash started with the firm in January 2009 in the tax department, after two years with a national accounting firm in Charlotte. Stacee has a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Elon University and a Master's degree in accounting from Appalachian State University. She is currently pursuing her certified public accountant certification and has passed three of the four parts of the exam. Stacee resides in Hickory with her husband.
CPA Inauguration
On Tuesday night, June 21st, employees from Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. attended the 2011 CPA Inauguration celebration at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC. MSA employees in attendance were Matt Braswell, accompanied by his spouse, Lindsey, and Kari Warlick, accompanied by her family members. Vickie Martin was also in attendance as a representative of the firm and as a member of the NCACPA Board of Directors. The Chair of the NCACPA, Maximo Mukelabai, led the ceremony with laughter and celebration, speaking words of encouragement and ethical persuasion. The President of the NCACPA, Jose R. Rodriguez, recognized each CPA on stage. Candidates were invited to take a picture with Maximo Mukelabai and State Auditor, Beth Wood, and then they were given a frame as a token of appreciation. State Auditor, Beth Wood, was there to lead the newly inducted CPA's in the oath of membership. There were 751 candidates licensed in the state of North Carolina during 2010. It was a night of recognition in which Matt and Kari were both very happy to celebrate their hard work and dedication in becoming a CPA.
MSA Welcomes Two New Employees
Elsa Swenson is a graduate of East Carolina University with a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Elsa is from Lenoir, NC and currently resides there. Elsa enjoys ECU football, zumba, cooking, music, reading novels, traveling to the beach, and spending time with my friends and family. Elsa says “I am happy to be an Audit Staff Accountant here at Martin Starnes!”
Tim Cook was born in Hickory, NC and lived there until he was 14 when he moved to Spartanburg, SC because of his father’s career. While in Spartanburg, Tim was very involved in both High school and Community Theater, performing in or doing set work on over 15 productions in four years. During his time in South Carolina, Tim also met his beautiful wife-to-be Kelsey Matthews, who he is extremely excited about marrying on the 25th of June. Tim attended Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on a full academic scholarship. Initially majoring in Theater, Tim quickly decided to pursue a more lucrative career path and changed to Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. Tim was a Resident Assistant for 3-years in College being promoted to Head Resident during his junior year. Tim graduated cum laude from Catawba in May of 2011 and is extremely excited and thankful to be beginning his career with Martin Starnes and Associates.
Sales Tax Rate Changes
Effective July 1, 2011, the general State tax rate applicable to sales and purchases of tangible personal property, certain digital property, and certain services is 4.75%. As a result, the general State and local tax rate will be 6.75% in eighty-two counties, 7% in Alexander, Catawba, Cumberland, Duplin, Haywood, Hertford, Lee, Martin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Surry and Wilkes Counties, and 7.25% in Mecklenburg County.
Questions about the notice should be directed to the Taxpayer Assistance Call Center at telephone number 1-877-252-3052 (toll-free) or you can contact us at 828-327-2727.
This year, Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. sponsored the Sports Business Symposium luncheon on Monday, June 6th. We had a great turnout for this event and appreciate everyone that came out. The event featured a panel of Billy Casper, winner of the U.S. Open in 1959 and 1966, Jerry Pate, winner of the U.S. Open in 1976 and Ron Green, Jr., golf writer with the Charlotte Observer. Dave Goren, Executive Director, National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and Hall of Fame, served as moderator for the discussion.
Jeremy Fortner, Shane Fox, and J.P. Jones got a chance of a lifetime to play with the Great Grand Champions on Wednesday, June 8th. They played with Charlie Sifford who was the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 and Walter Morgan, who has three Senior PGA Tour wins and holds the record for the "Age Shooter". In 2002, at the age of 61, Morgan shot a 60 in the AT&T Canada Senior Open Championship.
There were a lot of opportunities to volunteer for the golf tournament. It takes a great deal of coordinating, planning and volunteers to make this a successful event. MSA's staff was challenged to volunteer their time the week of the tournament and they certainly came through. We had 26 people volunteer. Over half of our employees volunteered their time and talents to the golf tournament. MSA was represented in player registration, finance, hospitality, Administration/Will Call and the driving range. Despite the heat, we had a great time. Our firm is very proud of our community and gives back as much in time and support as we can.
Photo Source: Pat Appleson Studios, Inc.
Vickie Selected for NCACPA Board
Victoria Martin has been selected to serve a three year term as a Board of Directors for the North Carolina Association of CPAs. This selection comes after Vickie’s completion of her three year term on the AICPA’s PCPS Committee. The committee helps other firms manage their firms more efficiently and adopt best practices for recruiting and retaining the best talent, and also helps with firm growth and technical issues. As a director, Vickie will serve as an ambassador to the membership, serve as a liaison director to an association committee, and provide guidance on issues affecting the association and the profession. Vickie will begin her term on May 1, 2011.
Paula Hodges Promoted to Partner
It is our pleasure to announce that Paula Hodges has been promoted to a Partner with the firm. Paula started with the firm in 1999 as a Senior Accountant and has progressed through the ranks as a Senior Manager, Audit Director and now a Partner. Paula is a reviewer for the Special Review Committee of the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and is also an active member of the AICPA and NCACPA. She serves on two NCACPA committees; Government Auditing and Accounting Committee and the Technical Resources Subcommittee.
Two Promoted to Audit Director
We are pleased to announce the promotions of Marcie Spivey and Chris Costner to Audit Director. Marcie started with the firm in 1996 as a Staff Accountant. She is a reviewer for the Special Review Committee of the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and is also an active member of the AICPA and NCACPA. She serves on two NCACPA committees; the Government Auditing and Accounting Committee and the Technical Resources Subcommittee. Chris has been a member of the firm since 1999. Chris is an active member of the AICPA and NCACPA. The duties of Director include staff supervision, training, and mentoring. The Directors also track new pronouncements, changes in laws and monitor CPE.
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