Person You Should Know: John E. Weaver, CPA

Member Owner, Williams-Keepers LLC
AGE: 34 | YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 9
JOB DESCRIPTION: After nine years with Williams-Keepers LLC, I joined the firm’s ownership group on Jan. 1. I specialize in tax services for individual and business clients and business advisory services, such as startup consultations, tax planning, accounting system consultations and financial statement preparation. I am also the leader of our AccountAble program, which offers accounting consulting and training workshops that utilize QuickBooks accounting software.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Mexico, Mo.
EDUCATION: B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and management from Columbia College
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I am a member of Columbia Northwest Rotary and serve on the board of directors for Columbia Meals on Wheels. I am also part of a dedicated group of young Columbia professionals called Core 20. The group has given me wonderful opportunities to network and give back to the community.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: My first job in accounting was with a small CPA firm in Mexico, where I worked for two years while finishing my bachelor’s degree. While there, I gained a lot of experience preparing tax returns and financial statements and performing audits. When I graduated, I accepted a position with Williams-Keepers and moved to Columbia. During my nine years at Williams-Keepers, I have been very fortunate to work with a group of professionals with a vast array of experiences and specialized knowledge to draw from.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: I work with and have admiration for so many talented entrepreneurs that I find it hard to select just one. I have great respect for anyone who has an entrepreneurial spirit, works hard and builds a business. I have even more admiration for those who are able to successfully sustain those businesses over the long haul.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I truly enjoy finding creative solutions for my clients’ problems. Whether it is a well-done tax planning project, the design and implementation of an accounting system for their business, getting their business off to the right start or helping them transition their business to the next generation, I find great satisfaction in helping clients accomplish their goals. I pride myself on being a trusted business advisor for my clients and not just their accountant.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: As a teenager I helped my grandfather fix up old houses and rent them. My wife and I have bought several distressed properties and renovated them as either rental units or to flip for profit. I have really enjoyed those projects, and if I were not doing what I do now, I would probably devote more time to that.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: It wasn’t necessarily an obstacle, but earning my degree and CPA certification while working full time was challenging and something of which I am very proud. I have a great deal of admiration for people who juggle the demands of a career while working on an academic degree.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: During the past couple years, I have worked to develop the AccountAble program at WK. It is built around a client service concept of continual contact with a client throughout the year to provide them with better financial information on a year round basis. This information helps business owners run their businesses more effectively and allows us to help them with issues beyond, “What did I make last year?” We are able to plan proactively to more efficiently manage financial needs and allow the business owner to concentrate on successfully growing his or her business. It has been very rewarding to work with clients using this program.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Most of us do not wear pocket protectors or thick glasses, and we are here to help with much more than traditional compliance work. Although we work a great many hours from January to mid-April, a CPA’s job is much more than tax returns and audits. I believe a CPA should be more than the person you see only at tax time because there are many planning and consulting opportunities that come up throughout the year. A CPA should be one of your trusted business advisors.
FAMILY: My wife, Leigh, and I have been married for 12 years and have a 15-month-old son, Jack.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I enjoy hunting and fishing, baseball, football and golf. I am a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and love to catch a game when I can. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Anywhere I can have a good time with family and friends.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Professionally, I am proud of the fact that I passed all four parts of the CPA exam on my first attempt at a time when all parts had to be taken at one time. I will never forget the day my scores came in the mail. Personally, becoming a father is something that gives me more of a sense of pride than anything else I have accomplished.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Collect baseball and football cards. I have pared it down over the years. However, I still have more than 100 complete sets (and counting) along with several large boxes of duplicates and other cards. The collection, despite my wife’s objections, has taken over our spare bedroom.