Spotlight on Accounting and Financial Firm CEO Tiffany Watson

Our Spotlight series highlights the careers and lives of tax professionals around the world. This week’s Spotlight is on Tiffany Watson, the CEO of All Aboard Financial, a virtual accounting and financial consulting firm based in Tampa, Fla.

Watson works with a wide range of clients, including small businesses, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals, and has appeared on local news programs as a tax expert. She also is a professional blogger, with several articles featured in major publications.

When she’s not working, Watson volunteers as secretary of the Hillsborough County Black Chamber of Commerce and participates in advocacy organizations for children with autism.

What’s your official title and what does it mean? My official title is CEO, because my primary responsibility is to provide leadership and direction to the company, guiding its overall strategic vision and ensuring its long-term success to create a legacy for my children.

Free time: book, audiobook, or podcast? Free time? What’s that? When I can find the time, I enjoy a good book.

Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest? I specialize in start-ups and small businesses with revenue under $2 million. I focus on helping my clients stay compliant with ever-changing tax laws, preparing accurate and timely tax returns, and offering proactive tax planning advice.

What’s the last movie or show that you watched and loved (DVD, Netflix, or in the theater)? I absolutely loved the Netflix series “Queen Charlotte.”

What college did you attend and what did you study? I attended Springfield College for both my undergraduate and graduate degree. My bachelor’s degree is in human services. My master’s degree is in business administration with a concentration in nonprofit management.

Go-to pick-me-up: Coffee or tea? Tea, specifically green tea.

What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you? Before entering the industry, I found myself with tax penalties from unknowingly using a ghost preparer. I used a local CPA to represent me before the IRS. He stressed the importance of vetting professionals prior to using their services and gave tips on what to look out for as it relates to tax scams. This is a lesson that I now share with my clients and encourage the vetting process in my practice. I want my clients to feel 100% safe before entrusting me with their personal and financial data.

If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be? A neurologist. I have been fascinated with the nervous system since I was a child.

If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax world—an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever—what would it be? I would make the IRS’s website more user friendly. There is great information there; however, finding what you need specifically can be a pain.

Favorite food, snack, or candy during tax season or other busy time? An eight-count chicken nugget meal from Chick-fil-A always gives me great comfort when I find myself stressed.

What tax news or move made the most impact on your practice or clients this past year? I am studying to be an enrolled agent. Going through this process has helped expand my knowledge, which has translated into providing better service to my clients.

If you received a big tax refund check right now, what would you do with it? Invest into improving my marketing strategies, as well as continuing to develop my own customer relationship management.

You can find out more about Watson on LinkedIn.

You can learn more about Watson’s company, All Aboard Financial, on its website or on Facebook.