You must pay taxes. But there’s no law that says you gotta leave a tip. ~ Morgan Stanley
Edward D. Garris, PhD, CPA
Ed has over thirty years of experience in general business management and with public accounting firms. His scientific background (Ph.D. in Physics, University of Virginia) provides a unique and analytical approach to complicated business solutions, business planning and data analysis.
After graduate school and a post-doctoral appointment, Ed entered the business world in 1974. He was hired as the President and Chief Executive Officer of a small retail operation which was losing money on sales of $250,000 in two stores in Virginia. Over a period of five years, he managed the growth of this operation, through internal expansion and acquisitions, to a very profitable operation of seven stores throughout the southeast grossing $4.5 million.
Ed attended the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia to take the courses required to become a CPA. He completed his courses in a single semester with the special permission of the Dean of the McIntire School. After earning his CPA certification in 1979, Ed worked with individuals and small businesses providing comprehensive tax and accounting services.
Following employment with other accounting firms, Ed formed Edward D. Garris, CPA, P.C. in 1984 which today has evolved into Garris and Company, P.C.
Since 1985, Ed has also been the Vice-President of a closely-held corporation which has patented new medical devices and manufactures, markets and distributes these devices domestically and internationally. He is responsible for design assistance, technical matters, patent prosecution, budgeting and cash management, fixed asset acquisitions, computer software and networks, and general management.
Ed resides in Charlottesville with his wife, Cindy. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Ed was on the board of Frys’ Spring Beach Club for eight years, served as both President and Treasurer and was very active with the swim team programs. He was also on the board of Live Arts, Inc. for five years and was the immediate past Treasurer for four years.
Education
Emory and Henry College, 1964, B.S. Physics
University of Virginia, 1972, Ph.D. Physics
University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce, Accounting courses
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Certified Public Accountant, 1979 Individual
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Charlottesville Business Innovation Council
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual and Sole Proprietor Advisory Services and Taxation
Corporate Taxation
Partnership and Limited Liability (LLC) Formation and Taxation
General Business Consulting
Cash Flow Analysis and Planning for New Business Start-Ups
Intellectual Property Development and Management
Amylynn Johnson, CPA
Amylynn joined Garris and Company in July, 2002 while completing her Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting at Virginia Commonwealth University. Amylynn manages the operations of Garris and Company and also prepares income tax returns for various types of entities including individuals, trusts, corporations, partnerships and not-for-profits. Amylynn enjoys assisting all types of start-up companies with their accounting and taxation needs, from entity form selection to choosing the right accounting software.
Amylynn lives in North Garden with her husband Rob and two small children. She loves getting to raise her kids in such a culturally diverse, environmentally conscious, educationally focused and beautiful community like Charlottesville.
Education
Virginia Polytechnic and State University, 1998, B.S. Psychology
Virginia Commonwealth University, 2002, Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Certified Public Accountant, July 2003
QuickBooks ProAdvisor, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual and Sole Proprietor Advisory Services and Taxation
Corporate Taxation
Write-up and Advisory Services
Partnership and Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation and Taxation
General Business Consulting, including new Business Start-ups
James W. Bell Jr., CPA
Jim joined Garris and Company in 1995. He made a career change to accounting after serving in the United States Air Force. He has over thirty years of experience in the preparation of tax returns for individuals, corporations and partnerships. Jim enjoys assisting individuals to prepare a complete and accurate tax return and planning tax saving strategies for future years.
Jim is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. He is an avid competitive runner, former president and treasurer of the Charlottesville Track Club and current treasurer of the Charlottesville Women’s Four-Miler. Jim and his wife, Maria, reside in Belmont.
Education
Mars Hill College, 1968, B.A. Mathematics
University of Virginia, Accounting and related courses
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Certified Public Accountant, July 1981
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual and Sole Proprietor Advisory Services and Taxation
Corporate Taxation
Partnership and Limited Liability (LLC) Formation and Taxation
Barbara L. Franko, CPA
Barbara joined Garris and Company in 2003. She has been advising clients in a public accounting setting for over thirty years in Virginia, and twenty one years in Charlottesville. Barbara enjoys helping small businesses and individuals with bookkeeping, financial, tax and retirement plan needs. The businesses Barbara serves include medical practices, restaurants, construction companies and other various ventures.
Barbara grew up outside of Chicago and earned her accounting degree from the University of Notre Dame. She has three children, two of whom reside in Atlanta and one in Amsterdam. Barbara loves kayaking, hiking, dancing, and doing anything outdoors. She is very interested in environmental conservation issues.
Education
University of Notre Dame, 1978, B.B.A, Cum Laude
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Certified Public Accountant, April 1980
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual (and Sole Proprietorship Advisory Services and Taxation)
Partnership and Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation and Taxation
Retirement Plan Choice, Design and Administration
Medical Practice Formation, Management and Compensation Models
General Business Consulting, including New Business Start-Ups
Personal Interest Associations and Memberships
President of Coastal Canoeists (of Virginia)
Rt. 250 West Taskforce (for Albemarle County)
Wintergreen Adaptive Paddling Steering Committee
Charlottesville Swing Dance Society
Nancy B. Corley, EA
Nancy joined Garris and Company in 1999. She has worked in accounting for over thirty years in Charlottesville and Northern Virginia focusing on taxation of individuals, estates and trusts, partnerships and corporations. She has experience working with medical practices, farms, research and development companies, and in estate administration, on accountings and estate tax returns.
Nancy is a native of Crozet and she resides there with her husband and daughter. Nancy is a board member of Claudius Crozet Park and treasurer of the Crozet Gators Swim Team.
Education
College of William and Mary, 1979, B.S. Biology and Sociology
University of Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, Accounting courses
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Enrolled Agent to Practice before the Internal Revenue Service, 2005
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, Associate Member
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual and Sole Proprietor Advisory Services and Taxation
Corporate Taxation
Partnership and Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation and Taxation
Trust Taxation
Estate Taxation and Administration
General Business Consulting, including new Business Start-ups
Kinda L. Sandridge, CPA
Kinda joined Garris and Company in October, 2007. She has over 26 years of accounting experience in Charlottesville firms, focusing on individual, partnership and corporate taxation. She also enjoys assisting her clients with their government contract accounting needs.
Kinda is a native of Charlottesville. She has four children. Kinda is an avid University of Virginia football and basketball fan. In her spare time she enjoys kayaking and canoeing.
Education
Mary Baldwin College, 1999, B.A. Business Administration with Concentration in Accounting
University of Virginia, Accounting courses, Psychology courses
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Certified Public Accountant, 2001
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual and Sole Proprietor Advisory Services and Taxation
Partnership and Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation and Taxation
Corporate Taxation
Financial Reporting including Reviews and Compilations
Government Contract Accounting
General Business Consulting, including new Business Start-ups
John R. Scaglione, RTRP
John joined Garris and Company in December, 2009 upon moving back to Charlottesville from his hometown near West Palm Beach, FL. John has worked in public accounting since graduating from the University of Virginia in 2007 and he is currently pursuing the CPA certification. John prepares income tax returns for various types of entities including individuals, trusts, corporations, partnerships and not-for-profits.
At the University of Virginia, John played baseball under Coach Brian O’Connor and he still proudly follows UVA baseball and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience to help coach youth baseball in Charlottesville.
Education
St. Petersburg College, 2005, A.A.
University of Virginia, 2007, B.A. Psychology
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Registered Tax Return Preparer, 2012
QuickBooks ProAdvisor, 2011, 2012
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, Associate Member
Professional Areas of Interest
Individual and Sole Proprietor Advisory Services and Taxation
Non-Profit Compliance
Corporate Taxation
Partnership and Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation and Taxation
General Business Consulting, including new Business Start-ups
Deb Launi
Deb joined Garris and Company in October 2010. She has 30 years experience in accounting. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors of Science in Business Management, she worked as a cost analyst and project manager for a Department of Defense Contractor for seven years. She began work in public accounting in 1989. Deb worked as an independent consultant with small businesses in Charlottesville helping them set-up and maintain their accounting systems and she was a controller for a property management company that managed over 500 apartments and condominiums.
Deb and her husband, Dom, have a log cabin on Afton Mountain where they enjoy time with their children’s families especially their two grandsons.
Education
University of Maryland, 1981, B.S. Business Management
Montgomery College, Accounting courses
Piedmont Virginia Community College, Accounting courses
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
QuickBooks ProAdvisor, 2010, 2011
Dana Kirschnick
Dana joined Garris and Company in December, 2001. She has over thirty years experience in bookkeeping services and payroll preparation. Proficient in both MAS90 and QuickBooks software, Dana provides individualized accounting services specializing in payroll set up and processing and monthly bookkeeping.
Dana moved from New York to Charlottesville in 1977. She and her husband, Steve, have two daughters and two granddaughters. Every opportunity she gets, Dana hits the road to visit the girls and spoil the babies.
Education
Bucknell University, 1977, B.S. Mathematics
Piedmont Virginia Community College, Accounting courses
Tracy A. Wallace
Tracy joined Garris and Company in June 2008. She has over thirty years bookkeeping and payroll experience. She also served in the United States Navy. Tracy has experience in many accounting software programs including QuickBooks and Peachtree. She also prepares multi-state payrolls.
Tracy is originally from upstate New York and currently resides is Charlottesville with her husband Robert. They have one son. Tracy serves as Assistant Treasurer for the Charlottesville Church of the Nazarene.
Education
S.U.N.Y at Cobleskill, 1978, A.A.S. Accounting
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
American Board of Professional Bookkeepers
Angela Mawyer
Angie joined Garris and Company in September, 2005. She has 18 years of office administration experience and is proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite of software. Angie enjoys taking care of our clients, keeping the office running smoothly and preparing tax returns for individuals.
Angie is a native of Charlottesville, and now resides on a small farm in Nelson County with her husband Sammy and their daughter. She spends her spare time reading, gardening, canning and enjoying family get-togethers.
Education
Piedmont Virginia Community College, 2011, A.S. Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude
Old Dominion University – currently enrolled
Professional Certifications, Associations and Memberships
Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, Associate Member