TAX DOCUMENTS … BUSINESS PLANS … IRS FORMS … RETIREMENT PLANNING …
T
hese are the things that bring nightmares to the numerically challenged – but it’s all in a day’s work for the partners and staff at Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds & Allison, a thriving accounting firm in McDonough, Georgia. Founded by Lewis Robinson in 1991, the firm will celebrate its 20th anniversary next September. Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds & Allison are full service accountants, providing tax returns, business consulting, financial statements and assistance with life changing events such as divorce, retirement planning and estates. “When I hire someone, I tell them that you never know from day to day what you will be doing – every day will be different,” reflected Greg Hammonds, President of the firm. The staff of twenty includes five partners, all with different specialties: Patty Whaley installs accounting software for businesses, and provides needed training and evaluation; Alvin Allison provides assurance services, including financial statement reporting; Lorraine Kelley provides software training and small business services; Toni Schwahn is the resident IRS specialist; and Greg Hammonds handles estates and trusts, as
well as small business tax planning. According to Greg, most accounting businesses provide the same basic services. “We all can say that we give the best possible services for our clients,” he continued. “But I believe what sets us apart from the others is our commitment to giving back to the community.” And Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds & Allison indeed sets a high standard in this area. Annual goals for each staff member include a set number of community service hours per year – it is considered part of the job description. “Employees may do their community service hours during work hours,” Greg commented. But many choose to do the hours on their own time. Service projects have been completed for Meals on Wheels, Adopt a Highway, Friends of the Henry County Libraries, A Friend’s House, Hands of Hope Clinic, and other community non-profits. “I have a favorite quote from Tom Brokaw,” Greg explained. “It says that it’s easy to make a buck but a lot tougher to make a difference. We try to make a difference,” he continued . “All of us working together make the community a better place.” An additional separation point is the firm’s membership in CPAmerica International. This organization brings
accounting firms from all over the country together in a collaborative effort for training, idea sharing, and even sharing services. If Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds & Allison has a client in Washington state who needs help with having inventory counted, there is a firm in CPAmerica International in the area who can perform this service on their behalf. The legacy set in place by Lewis Robinson in 1991 has grown into a strong and steady vision. At the end of this year, according to Hammonds, Lewis will step down from management responsibilities and will no longer have a financial interest in the firm. He may be retiring from management, but he will still be an active member of the team, assisting with retirement and estate planning as well as litigation support services. Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds & Allison is located at 115 Westridge Industrial Blvd. in McDonough. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 770.914.1040. When you do call, you’ll know that not only will you be given “the best possible service,” but that you’ll also be in touch with an organization that has determined to build a better community by making a difference, one person at a time.
january/february 2011 • www.hmagazine.biz
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