Melissa Propatier BAEd

DeMerse Richardson

DeMerse was born & raised in Naples, Florida and graduated Cum Laude from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art. Favoring cooler weather, DeMerse moved to Portland, Oregon where she was the Staff Accountant for a glass manufacturing company. Upon her return to Naples in January 2018, she joined The Tax Professional Group, Inc. DeMerse has been competently assisting clients with QuickBooks, sales tax and payroll preparation. Additionally, she is a key facilitator among her colleagues. She appreciates traveling, knitting and a spot of cooler weather.

Helen Richy

Helen hails from Virginia which is where she acquired her warm, attentive nature to nurture. She has worked with the company since 1998 and she specializes in payroll and is well versed in both QuickBooks and sales tax preparation. You will quickly find Helen to be your #1 advocate and liaison within our group. Away from the office Helen loves time with her family, cooking, boating and watching movies. Helen finds tranquility in the sights and sounds of Virginia’s horse country.

Christina Stein BSA, EA

Christina is a proud Naples native who earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Florida Gulf Coast University. Her career as income tax accountant began with The Tax Professional Group, Inc in 2005. With the EA designation, Christina has the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. She is well-read regarding current tax matters and she specializes in individual and small business income tax returns and QuickBooks. Thoughtfully and responsibly, Christina utilizers her work time efficiently and effectively. Christina enjoys traveling, the outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.

Edyta Grabowska BSBA, BSA, EA

Edyta earned her Bachelor of Science in Management from the University in Lodz, Poland. After moving to the United States, she went on to graduate Cum Laude from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. With 13 years as a professional tax accountant, Edyta competently performs all aspects of the job and she specializes in individual and corporate taxation. With the EA designation, Edyta has the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. She is charming, intelligent, compassionate and she is an uncompromisingly thorough advocate for her clients. Edyta’s great joy is her family. She also loves to travel.

Patrick McGowan BFA, CPA

Pat McGowan moved to Naples in 1970. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Accounting. He passed the CPA Exam in 1986 and was licensed in Washington, D.C. He served 5 years as an Auditor. Then for 8 years as Associate Controller and conducted financial systems implementations. He transitioned to self-employment for 25 years offering his unique skillset of systems knowledge and accounting by implementing PeopleSoft Software for major corporations including Sylvan Learning, CNN/Turner, and Hawaiian Airlines. Pat is semi-retired and joined The Tax Professional Group, Inc. in 2022. Pat and his wife Sheena are the parents of two adult children and three grandchildren. When not working they are either on their boat or bikes in Naples.

Melissa, originally from Rhode Island, has been a Naples resident since 2002. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a minor in English. Additionally, she is CDA certified in Early Childhood Development. Since Melissa joined The Tax Professional Group, Inc. in 2016, she has used her comprehensive knowledge of QuickBooks to assist clients with their monthly and quarterly needs. With Melissa, each day is met with positive energy and she handles all clients and situations with efficiency. Outside the office Melissa enjoys her days reading and writing and spending time with her family.

Reily Frankum BSA

Reily joined The Tax Professional Group, Inc. in 2022 after relocating to Naples from Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Manchester University. Reily has extensive experience in bookkeeping and business management, and is dedicated to effectively serving our clients’ needs. Outside of the office, Reily enjoys coaching and watching sports, and spending time with family.

Nicole Williamson

Nicole is a proud Naples, Florida native. Her studies led her on the path of early education where Nicole obtained her CDA while teaching in a faith based outdoor program that fosters social emotional well-being and environmental stewardship. Nicole’s path to the accounting field began in 2014 when she had the opportunity to learn income tax and accounting client services skills. In 2021, we welcomed her to The Tax Professional Group, Inc. Today, Nicole is a high-level client advocate and serves as an intermediary between our tax accountants and our clients. She is highly communicative and efficient, extremely conscientious and intuitive. She is also well-versed in QuickBooks accounting software. Nicole appreciates adventure in the outdoors and enjoys the warmth and sunshine of Southwest Florida.

Donald Gardner

Donald has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Social Science from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law. At TAVAS, Donald has over 10 years managing the initial consultation, research and development process, and presentation of strategic recommendations to closely-held business owners throughout the United States with a focus on entity structuring, tax minimization, estate planning, employee benefits, and succession/transition planning. Donald was a Tax Analyst providing tax cost and accounting analysis for clients in the Fiduciary Wealth Division for Northern Trust. Donald has developed and presented seminars and classes for various trade groups on corporate tax and estate planning as well as serving as an Adjunct Professor.

Christine Harootunian

Christine joined TAXPG in the height of the 2024 tax season and possesses a unique set of skills from her travels and past work experiences that makes her an invaluable member of the team! At age eighteen, she began her career with Marriott Corp and then even spent time in the Recorded Music Industry before fate brought her to TAXPG as an Admin and Client Liaison. Outside of work, Christine best describes her hobbies as anything that brings a sense of joy and peace, especially through acts of kindness.

Danielle Cerny

Danielle began her career with TAXPG in the midst of the 2024 tax season. She has an associate’s degree in accounting and is currently obtaining her bachelor’s degree in accounting set to be completed in May 2025. The professional, supportive, and encouraging environment at TAXPG made beginning her career here an easy decision. Danielle is a proud mom to three adult boys and a Grami of two grandsons. Outside of work, she enjoys scrapbooking weekends with friends or attending sporting events with her boys.

Mike Cukierski

A Partner since 2016, Mike has spent his entire career at Cukierski & Associates beginning in 2004 after he graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a bachelor of science in public affairs. He began by working on corporate accounts and was later introduced to community association engagements. In 2005 he returned to school and earned a Master of Science in accounting from Loyola University Chicago in 2007. Born and raised in Arlington Heights, Mike is a proud Saint Viator High School alum.

When he’s not working, Mike enjoys golfing, playing with his kids, watching movies, and going on golf trips and vacations to Las Vegas and Orlando. Growing up, his family would take regular vacations to Disney World, so Mike and his wife love carrying on that tradition by taking their kids on an annual Disney World trip.

Alison Delaney

Alison is a native of Naples, Florida and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Alison has been a member of The Tax Professional Group, Inc. team since 2009. She went on to attend Florida Gulf Coast University where she obtained her Master of Business Administration in Finance. Alison has extensive knowledge of individual and business taxation. In addition to tax preparation, she is knowledgeable in sales tax, bookkeeping and is well versed in QuickBooks. Alison enjoys staying active in the community and volunteers with her local church and with her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta as the Finance Advisor for the University of Florida chapter.

TAX PREPARER/TAX ACCOUNTANT

Find pleasure and gratification in serving a wonderful well-established client base here in southwest Florida. A medium size public accounting firm seeks a special Income Tax Professional to enhance their dynamic client-oriented team. A qualified job candidate will have an intricate understanding of individual and entity tax law for practical application to competently and independently complete income tax returns on behalf of our group and our clients.

The Firm:
We are a cohesive group of Income Tax Professionals with decades of experience. Our professional specialty is income tax preparation. This is our passion. Additionally, we provide peripheral services as clients require; monthly accounting, payroll services, sales tax reporting, etc.

Though we are a very busy firm, we emphasize “quality of life” in our corporate culture so that we may better enjoy life outside our office. Therefore, unlimited time off without pay outside of tax filing season and extension deadlines is allowed with guaranteed position retention.

The Candidate:

TAX PREPARER/TAX ACCOUNTANT
Professional Designation: EA, CPA very useful and/or minimum 2 years of professional income tax preparation experience. Bachelor’s Degree preferred as minimum education.
Must have proficiency in preparing income tax Forms 1040, 1040NR, 1041, 1120, 1120S, 1065 and various state tax returns.
Proficiency in dealing with IRS correspondence and issues.
Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Be accurate and efficient.
Be detailed, organized and deadline oriented.
Be intuitive, approachable and compassionate. Positive attitude and perspective extremely important.
Utilize creativity and practice out-of-the-box thinking for practical client solutions.
Have effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to handle client communication in a patient, respectful manner.
Have excellent conversational and interview skills. Ability to listen, relate to clients and put them at ease.
Proficiency with Firm software important: Intuit ProSeries, QuickBooks, OfficeTools and Microsoft Suite

The Compensation:

Excellent hourly wage (plus time and a half over 40 hours/week) based on experience, education and the ability to efficiently, effectively produce accurate tax returns. Competitive benefits round out the package.

Start Date: Position Available Immediately