I AM THE VSCPA

FAMILY MAN >> Two minutes with Michael Straus, CPA

Michael Straus, CPA, is a partner at PBMares in the firm’s Richmond office. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a 30-year public accounting veteran. He is a multiple-time Super CPA award winner who has volunteered numerous times for the GARY THOMSON, CPA >> VSCPA’s CPA Day of Service and NBC 12 Extending CPAs’ influence to Tax Call-In programs, as well as the VSCPA the government arena. Governmental Affairs Committee. Outside of work, he likes playing with his kids, hosting parties and traveling.

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT… Family, friends and fun. Life is too short not to make the best of it. I am one of those people who does not like to sit still. I want to be doing something, going someplace or sharing a drink or meal with someone.

PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THIS, BUT… I have owned a restaurant, limousine company and tanning salon in the past. Being a partner in my firm creates too many demands to have those now. I have also visited 29 countries.

IF I WEREN’T AN ACCOUNTANT, I WOULD BE… In the construction industry. Growing up, I was always telling my family I wanted to be an electrician and a plumber, so you can imagine the things I was playing with as a child.

MY ADVICE TO FELLOW CPAs IS… Don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember, it’s all small stuff. Our jobs are very demanding. We don’t need to add more pressure to them. It is much easier to manage each day if we stay relaxed.

I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… Looking at my kids asleep in their bed (or my bed). My kids range in age from 1 to 16.

I WISH CPAS KNEW… The tax laws before the end of the year.

I’M A CPA BECAUSE… I liked the accounting classes better than the other business classes. I never knew I was headed in this direction until I was in college. Now I like saving clients money on their taxes. n