Our employee benefit planning staff focuses on assisting the business owner with various employee benefits available.  As a business owner, we are aware of the cost involved.  Our goal is to insure you only spend the necessary dollars with benefits that are truly appreciated by your employees.

Further, when looking at the cost of employee benefits let’s focus on the actual cost to the employer.  That would be net of the tax savings involved.  Also, let’s focus on both the benefits provided by employee retention due to employee benefits and the employee benefits available directly to you the owner.

What are the discrimination rules? Who must be included? Each employee benefit has it’s own separate and distinct discrimination rules.  Let’s unwind them and make sure they work for the best interest in your company.

These benefits may include 401(k) plans, SIMPLE plans, SEP plans, health insurance products, medical reimbursement plans, daycare benefits, cafeteria plans, disability insurance coverage, long term care coverage and many more.

Our staff has either completed the most prestigious programs in the industry or are in the process of completing.  Credentials and education available to assist include:

Accredited Business Accountant (ABA)  ABAs are professionals who specialize in accounting services for individuals and small to medium size businesses.  They can provide personalized financial reports and interpret those reports for you.  These individuals have passed a full day exam testing their technical proficiency in financial accounting, reporting, statement preparation, taxation, business law, consulting services and ethics.

Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP).  Individuals who hold the ATP credential have a through knowledge of the concepts behind the existing tax code and the preparation of individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns.

Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA).  Individuals holding the ATA credential have demonstrated the ability to handle complex tax planning issues, including planning for owners of closely held businesses, planning for the highly compensated, choosing qualified retirement plans and performing estate planning.

Certified Quick Books Pro-Advisor.  Individuals holding the Certified Quick Books Pro-Advisor designation have passed an examination and demonstrated the ability to deal with accounting and tax related issues on the Quick Books software program.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP).  Individuals holding the CFP credential have completed a national exam issued by the Board of Financial Planning.  This generally includes a study program including; income tax planning, investment planning, insurance planning, retirement planning, employee benefit planning and estate planning.  Most CFP Candidates are also required to hold a bachelor’s degree and actual work experience in the financial planning industry.

Investment Advisor: Licensed through Packerland Brokerage Services Inc with applicable federal and state requirements to perform complete investment analysis.

Enrolled to Practice Before The IRS (EA).  Individuals holding the EA credential have passed a two-day exam covering all segments of tax law directly from the Internal Revenue Service.  This is the only tax license exam provided directly by the IRS and the only license issued directly by the IRS.

Masters Degree in Taxation (MST).  Individuals holding the MST credential have completed an advanced college degree, beyond the Bachelors Degree, specifically geared to tax law.  This is the most prestigious designation available in the tax industry.

Our staff for Employee Benefits Consulting includes:

  Thomas G

Thomas G. Zoeller EA, MST, CFP

Tom is a shareholder of De Pere Business Center and serves as President and CEO.  He has over 25 years experience in business consulting, tax planning, tax preparation and financial planning.  He earned his Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service designation during 1986 (the only tax license issued directly by the IRS), the Accredited Tax Advisor designation in 1991, the Certified Financial Planner designation during 1988, the Certificate in Accounting during 1976, the Associate Degree in Business during 1977, his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration during 1982 and completed his Master’s Degree in Taxation during 1995.  Tom is an investment advisor through Packerland Brokerage Services which is licensed with the federal and state government for comprehensive investment analysis. 

Mr. Zoeller has co-authored several texts on tax law and has taught before more than 2,500 tax professionals regarding various tax matters.  He has served as an Adjunct Faculty Member of the College for Financial Planning instructing both the Income Tax and Estate Tax sections of the CFP Curriculum. He has also written exam questions that appear on the Comprehensive Certified Financial Planners Examination for Estate Tax Planning.

 

  Robert Phillips

Robert Phillips, ABA, ATP

Bob is a shareholder of De Pere Business Center and serves as Vice President.   He has over 35 years experience in public accounting, tax planning and preparation.  He received his Accredited Business Accountant status during 1999 and Accredited Tax Preparer status in 2004.  With Bob’s experience and up to date knowledge of the tax laws Bob proves to be a true expert for both business and personal income tax related matters.

  Michelle Deschaine

Michelle Deschaine

Michelle is a shareholder and serves as Treasurer of De Pere Business Center and manages the accounting department.  She has over seven years experience in public accounting, payroll processing and income tax related matters.  She received her Associate Degree in Accounting with honors in 1999, her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 2001 and earned EA in 2004.  Michelle’s knowledge of accounting, computer systems, payroll tax rules, public accounting and tax related matters proves invaluable for small business owners.

  Michelle Deschaine

James Hockenberry, EA, CEC

James has over 15 years of experience in income tax and financial planning. He earned his Enrollment to Practice before the Internal Revenue Service designation during 1992 (the only tax license issued directly by the IRS), he holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting, from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He has worked as a tax researcher/technical writer and has served as an instructor for several tax and financial organizations. Jim has served as the Manager of Financial Services with a fortune 500 company and is also an investment advisor through Packerland Brokerage Services. (Series 6, 63, 65, 7 ,24)

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Registered Representative, Investment advisory services and securities offered through Packerland Brokerage Services, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC.