Accounting firm helps clients build financial future

By Abby Morris
Star Staff
amorris@starhq.com

   One local accounting firm is helping its clients build their financial future.
   "We offer many services," said Melissa Crockett of Blackburn, Childers and Stegall, PLC. "We provide audit and tax services to clients -- both business and professional. We do have estate planning as well. We have some people who specialize in medical practices management."
   According to Crockett, the firm also offers small business consulting. "We have a department for small business consulting. We have a packet that we give out that tells them how to get started and we have financial consultants to help them," she said.
   One of the things that sets Blackburn, Childers and Stegall apart is the amount of personal attention that employees can give to their clients. "We have a very low turnover rate for our employees so clients can feel confident that the person they talked to last year will be the same person they talk to this year," Crockett said. "We try to keep the same employee working on a case so they can build a relationship with the client."
   As part of that dedication to client service, the firm encourages its employees to stay abreast of new tax laws and other elements that can have an impact on the client. "Our employees have continuing education they go through. Our CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) have 40 hours of continuing education every year," Crockett said. "We are very supportive of staying on top of the latest technology and the latest laws so we can offer the best service to our clients."
   Another aspect of caring for their clients that Blackburn, Childers and Stegall focuses on is educating the clients about things that affect them. "One of the things we have been trying to do through the years is to have seminars for our clients to keep them updated on the latest tax laws," she said.
   Blackburn, Childers and Stegall was founded in 1961. The firm has offices in Johnson City, Kingsport and Greeneville with a staff of more than 50 experts in accounting.
   To contact Blackburn, Childers and Stegall visit their Web site at www.BCScpa.com or call their Johnson City office at (423) 282-4511; their Kingsport office at (423) 246-1725 or their Greeneville office at (423) 638-8516.