ProSeries® Tax spotlight: Andrew Poulos, EA, ABA, ATP

Andrew Poulos, EA, ABA, ATP, is president of Poulos Accounting & Consulting, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia. His views on financial wellness and IRS matters have been featured on numerous local and national television/news programs, as well as in articles on the Intuit® Tax Pro Center. Andrew also heads up the Poulos Children’s Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit providing financial assistance to families with children who are diagnosed with cancer. Get to know Andrew in this profile.

Scott Cytron: Please tell me a few ways Intuit ProSeries Tax benefits your practice.

Andrew Poulos: ProSeries is a robust software and easy to use. I’ve used ProSeries my entire 30+ year career. It works well for my firm because it provides the option for all types of tax returns, and having the unlimited package allows me to handle multi-state tax preparation—which is beneficial considering I have clients across the country and internationally.

SC: What do you focus on in your firm?

AP: We provide accounting, payroll, tax preparation, tax resolution, and advisory services, working with clients across the country and internationally to assist with their financial needs.

SC: What other kinds of Intuit software do you use?

AP: In addition to ProSeries, we use QuickBooks® Online Accountant and QuickBooks Desktop.

SC: What are your goals for your practice this year?

AP: My goals are to finish the year as strong as it began, and work toward expanding our tax resolution services to assist clients with federal and state tax matters. I see a big demand for tax resolution services, particularly with the challenges facing the IRS.  

SC: Speaking of tax, how can tax professionals keep up with all the changes in the laws and regulations?

AP: Our profession is constantly changing; now, more than ever, education is critical. Attending conferences, seminars, and webinars to keep up with the latest changes in tax laws and regulations is vital. We can’t assist our clients or be effective if we don’t maintain a high level of continuing education.

SC: What was your very first job?

AP: My official first job was working as a drive-thru cashier at Wendy’s, but I always say I got my start selling candy to fellow students in high school. I was 15 and still riding the school bus when I started my candy business with a book bag full of blow pops. I took orders from students for their favorite flavor and sold the pops for 25 cents. It was a great business for a teenager who couldn’t yet drive; my best day of sales exceeded $25!

SC: Tell me more about the kind of work the Poulos Children’s Cancer Foundation does.

AP: Poulos Children’s Cancer Foundation raises money to assist families who have a child suffering from cancer. Our mission is twofold: 1) To help families financially with travel and accommodation expenses while traveling with their child for treatment, and 2) long-term, we are raising money to acquire a property near the new Arthur Blank Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital. The property will be renovated and converted into a living facility for families traveling to Atlanta and need somewhere to live while their child is undergoing treatment for cancer.

SC: Who is your favorite author?

AP: Thomas Stanley, co-author of “The Millionaire Next Door.” It’s a great book that provides insight on the characteristics and traits of successful people.

SC: If you were stranded on a desert island with access to just one kind of technology, what would it be and why would you want it?

AP: Hands down, I need my iPhone. I use it so much that some days it has to be charged twice a day. However, I don’t use it as much while on vacation and relaxing on the beach.

SC: Thanks Andrew!

Editor’s note: The article image includes Dimitri Poulos, who works with Andrew in his practice.