NSA Member of the Month Program
Welcome to the
NSA Member of the Month Program
“Excellence endures and sustains. It goes beyond motivation into the realm of inspiration.”
Azim Premji
NSA’s Member of the Month Program was established as an important tradition of the organization because we believe that excellence should be rewarded as they serve as inspiration and motivation for other members to follow.
While it is difficult to single out one awesome member when all members are awesome, we’ve narrowed our search to those who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to the Society, their participation in its programs, and who serve as an inspiration for other members.
If you are an NSA member and would like to nominate another member as a Member of the Month, please submit their name and your rationale for why they should be recognized. Please send nominations to membership@nsacct.org.
JANUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Joanne M. Elsen CPA, PC
Phoenix, AZ
We are pleased to announce that Joanne, CPA, of Phoenix, AZ, has been selected as NSA Member-of-the-Month for her exceptional dedication to the profession and her active involvement in NSA programs.
Joanne’s remarkable journey in accounting spans over 55 years, beginning with a bookkeeping course and a position at the University of Minnesota’s Glass Blowing Department. In 1970, she married her high school sweetheart and relocated to Fort Hood, TX, where she discovered her passion for working with a variety of clients at a CPA firm. Over the next 17 years, Joanne lived in five states before settling in Illinois, gaining invaluable experience working with small business owners and helping them grow their enterprises. Inspired by these experiences, she pursued her goal of becoming a CPA, earning her BS in Accounting from Northern Illinois University in 1996 and becoming certified in 1994. She spent five years as a staff accountant and later as a partner at a local CPA firm before establishing her own firm in 2000. Joanne continued her practice until relocating to Phoenix, AZ, in 2006.
After moving to Phoenix and leaving her circle of colleagues, Joanne joined NSA, finding it to be her lifeline during tax season. Through NSA, she has built lasting friendships, benefited from leadership training, and served as a State Director. She considers the TaxTalk network an indispensable resource, especially when preparing taxes across multiple states. “The ability to reach out to trusted colleagues in every state has been invaluable,” she shares.
Joanne’s decades of experience have taught her that clients can still surprise her, change is inevitable, and there’s always something new to learn. Her advice to new professionals in the industry is clear: “You need mentors and a network like TaxTalk for those moments when you’re overwhelmed, need reassurance, or face a challenge you’ve never encountered before.”
In addition to her professional achievements, Joanne cherishes her personal life. She enjoys spending time with her three married children and six grandchildren, relaxing with a good book, and doting on her seven-year-old Yorkie, Cooper.
Congratulations, Joanne, on this well-deserved recognition and for your significant contributions to the NSA community! Your dedication to the profession and your unwavering commitment to mentoring and supporting others is truly inspiring.
FEBRUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Louis (Lou) Haskel, CPA
Louis Haskel, CPA, Clearwater, FL
The NSA proudly announces February’s Member of the Month, Louis (Lou) Haskel of Louis Haskel, CPA, in recognition of his exemplary participation in the Society’s programs and interactions with headquarters staff.
Located in Clearwater, FL., Lou’s firm assists small business owners with tax and accounting services and offers business advisory services. Lou works personally with each client to provide individualized solutions to their tax and accounting needs.
Lou has been a member of the NSA since May 2009. When asked what stands out about NSA, Lou feels that, “NSA is a strong advocate for the accounting community offering great forums to interact with other members.” He advises new members to join member forums to get all the practitioner resources and benefits the NSA offers.
Lou is a graduate of Boston College. In addition to being a member of the NSA, he is also a member of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) and the National Association of Tax Practitioners (NATP).
MARCH MEMBER OF THE MONTH
J. Stephen (Steve) Odem, EA
Kathleen Accounting and Tax Service, LLC Lakeland, FL
NSA proudly announces March’s Member of the Month, J. Stephen (Steve) Odem, EA of Kathleen Accounting and Tax Service, LLC, in recognition of his exemplary participation in the Society’s programs and interactions with headquarters staff.
Steve’s practice is in Lakeland, Florida, and he says he loves it there as the region offers a variety of client occupations and needs that are often an exciting challenge.
Steve has been a member of the NSA for over a decade and, like others, feels TaxTalk is “an outstanding resource for members to collaborate on questions posted.” Steve further explains that having multiple people jumping in to help is an incredible benefit.
Steve advises, “New members in the Society should take advantage of all the programs and resources that NSA has to offer if they want to grow as a professional and to help their businesses flourish.” Steve continues, “Being a member of the Society is only complete with being an active participant in the networking, group learning, and ongoing discussions NSA offers.”
APRIL MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Roger Lubiens, MBA, LPA, CTRP, PA, RTRP
R&S Tax Service, Inc. Folsom, CA
NSA proudly announces April’s Member of the Month, Roger Lubiens, MBA, LPA, CTRP, PA, RTRP in recognition of his exemplary participation in the Society’s programs and interactions with headquarters staff.
With 30-years of experience as an Auditor/Sr. Compliance Officer with the California Franchise Tax Board, Roger offers accounting and tax services to businesses and individuals. As a member of the NSA for over five years, Roger feels the NSA offers “Plenty enough programs to help members grow their expertise, and engaging in Tax Talk and educational webinars will elevate one’s own business.”
Roger has relied on solid work principles like honesty, integrity, and Christian values to develop his business. You can contact Roger at r_lubiens@juno.com, 916-983-6415 or visit www.rstaxservice.com.
MAY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
James C. Perkins, CPA, PA
Arlington Heights, IL
NSA proudly announces May’s Member of the Month, James C. (Jim) Perkins, CPA P.C., in recognition of his exemplary participation in the Society’s programs and interactions with headquarters staff. Jim began his accounting career in the mid-eighties. As a supervisor and a controller, Jim founded his firm in 2001, providing accounting and tax services, tax planning, and preparation for small businesses.
As an NSA member for over 10 years, Jim appreciates networking and sharing experiences with his fellow members. Jim encourages aspiring tax preparers to “Find an aspect of accounting and tax you enjoy and focus on being an expert in that area.” Jim’s firm is in Arlington Heights, IL. Contact Jim at (847) 217-3071.
JUNE MEMBER OF THE MONTH
HYMAN (HY) ZACHARIA, CPA
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
We are thrilled to announce that Hyman (Hy) Zacharia, CPA, has been selected as the NSA’s Member of the Month for June. Hy has demonstrated exemplary participation in the Society’s programs and has consistently engaged positively with the headquarters staff.
Having been part of the NSA family for over five years, Hy underscores the invaluable support he receives from his fellow members through platforms like Tax Talk, which he considers indispensable. He enthusiastically admits, “Without Tax Talk, I wouldn’t be able to navigate a single day.”
Hy’s firm, York & Zacharia, CPAs, specializes in tax preparations, but his true passion lies in handling IRS Criminal Investigation cases and collaborating with Tax Attorneys in Kovell. These challenging scenarios ignite his enthusiasm and allow him to showcase his skills and expertise.
For newcomers to the tax profession, as well as those newly affiliated with the NSA, Hy offers valuable advice. He urges them not to underestimate their potential and to fully leverage the abundant resources offered by the NSA.
JULY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
TINA P. FERNANDEZ, CPA, PL
SAINT JOHNS, FL
AUGUST MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Clare Fazackerley, CPA, CFP
CINCINNATI, OH
NSA proudly recognizes Clare Fazackerley, CPA, CFP, as this month’s Member of the Month, acknowledging her 15 years of active dedication to the organization. Her career shift from banking regulation to tax preparation marked her true passion, leading her to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1996, followed by an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) designation in 2013 and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification in 2015.
Founding One Tax Financial, Clare’s vision is to guide clients toward sound financial decisions aligned with their values and well-being, encapsulated in her guiding motto, “Your money, your values, your sanity.” She actively engages with NSA’s Tax Talk platform, benefiting from camaraderie and valuable advice, and values webinars to enhance her expertise for her client’s benefit.
Clare offers sage advice to aspiring tax professionals, emphasizing setting boundaries, engaging in the professional community, and fostering personal and professional growth. The NSA congratulates Clare Fazackerley, CPA, CFP, for her outstanding contributions to the tax profession, serving as a role model for others.
SEPTEMBER MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Irene Wachsler, CPA
The NSA has recognized Irene Wachsler, CPA, as the September Member of the Month. Making a significant career shift, Irene transitioned from being a software engineer with more than two decades of experience to becoming a CPA on her mother’s advice. Her journey led her to leave Deloitte and join her mother’s CPA firm. Under Irene’s guidance, the firm underwent a complete transformation, embracing a fully cloud-based approach to its operations. Irene’s firm now provides services catering to small businesses, including comprehensive guidance and solutions for IRS-related concerns. As a newcomer to the NSA, Irene made the most of the opportunities presented by the association. She engages in CPE courses and leverages networking resources to build valuable connections. For those embarking on a career in accounting, Irene’s counsel is to select a specific area of interest within the profession and dedicate efforts toward mastering it. This focused approach can lead to greater success and expertise.
The NSA takes pride in acknowledging individuals like Irene Wachsler for their exceptional contributions and dedication to the accounting field.
OCTOBER MEMBER OF THE MONTH
BRADLEY (BRAD) CRAIN, CPA
Erwin & Company of Little Rock, AR
We are pleased to announce that longtime member Bradley (Brad) Crain, CPA of Little Rock, AR, has been chosen as NSA October Member-of-the-Month in recognition of his exemplary participation in the Society’s programs and interaction with headquarters staff.
Having been a member since 2003, Brad currently serves as an NSA Director-At-Large and contributes to multiple of the Society’s committees. Brad is a CPA with Erwin & Company of Little Rock, AR., offering exemplary services for sophisticated clients in Arkansas and across the country. Brad is also a proud Alumni Bear, having graduated from the University of Central Arkansas.
Brad joined NSA because of its focus on helping boutique accounting and tax preparers. “NSA provides excellent educational, networking, and leadership opportunities for the small practitioner. These are all very important benefits. I have used all of these and am a better accountant for it!”
He advises new members to network through tax talk and participates in the monthly round table discussions. He feels NSA builds a community environment where everyone is ready, willing, and able to support and assist other members.
We asked Brad for his final thoughts on new and existing members who may not be taking full advantage of what the NSA offers. “I’ve found a country full of accountants willing to help me when I’ve needed it. I’d also encourage them to take advantage of the excellent educational resources and CPE offered by the NSA. From the affordable pricing to the timely topics, NSA’s education has been a practical benefit that I’ve used often over the years.”
Congratulations, Brad for your exemplary participation in NSA’s programs and for generously contributing to the future of our organization!
NOVEMBER MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Teresa Quay, EA
Quality Tax and Bookkeeping Service, Inc. Indianapolis, IN
We are pleased to announce Teresa Quay, EA, of Quality Tax and Bookkeeping Service, Inc., as NSA’s Member-of-the-Month, recognizing her dedication to the accounting profession and her active participation in NSA’s programs.
Teresa began her career by helping friends and family with taxes while studying accounting in college. Her business grew steadily through referrals, eventually becoming a full-time endeavor. Today, her practice provides a range of services, including tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, business setup, and retirement-focused tax planning.
A member of NSA for five years, Teresa appreciates the support and knowledge shared among members, especially through Tax Talk. Her advice to newcomers is, “Take advantage of all NSA’s resources. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep learning; the challenges in this field make it anything but boring!”
Congratulations, Teresa, for your outstanding contribution to NSA and the accounting community!
DECEMBER MEMBER OF THE MONTH
TERESA MOORE, EA, RTRP, AFSP
Teresa L Moore, Accountant
Teresa’s journey in accounting began in high school, inspired by her love for math and a counselor’s suggestion. Her career path led her from local accounting jobs to earning her BA in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, while raising a family and working full-time.
In 2008, Teresa established her own accounting practice specializing in tax preparation and payroll services. Most of her clients are small businesses and farm and ranch families. She also works with clergy and nonprofits. She met the requirements to be an EA in 2019 and is currently president of the Wyoming Association of Public Accountants.
Former NSA presidents and committee chairmen, from Wyoming, encouraged her to join NSA in 2009. She has found significant value in NSA’s networking resources, particularly Tax Talk, which she describes as very essential for a sole practitioner. “It’s like having a colleague beside me to discuss challenges,” she says, acknowledging members such as Ellen Briscoe, Debra Stapek, Mark Nelson Jr., Hyman Zacharia, and William Delaney for their contributions of tax knowledge.
Teresa also encourages new members to utilize NSA’s educational opportunities, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning in a constantly evolving industry. Her advice to anyone going into this industry is to remember that “Clients trust us because we listen and build relationships. Artificial Intelligence may assist, but it can never replace the trust and understanding of a human accountant.”
Congratulations, Teresa, on this well-deserved recognition and for your contributions to the NSA community!