Why did you choose this business?I knew I had an aptitude for accounting. After spending some time working in industry for some large corporations, I decided I wanted to do something a little more entrepreneurial, so I spent a tax season working for a national tax chain, I really enjoyed helping the clients save money on their taxes and helping to educate them on all the ways they could save on their taxes going forward. Then I went back to school and got a Master of Professional Accountancy degree with an emphasis in taxation and I started my career in public accounting. What do you offer that the competition doesn’t?What I’m most proud of about RPC is that we do truly combine the breadth and depth of resources provided by big firms, with the focus and service found in small local firms. Albuquerque is our headquarters, but we have offices in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Clovis, Hobbs, and Roswell, New Mexico as well as El Paso and Lubbock, Texas. What really sets us apart is that our Team Members are organized by Service Line instead of by office. This enables our processes to be standardized and streamlined, and allows work for each client to be performed by those with the most relevant technical experience. So, say we have a client who used to live in Hobbs; has moved up here to be closer to their kids, but still has a pecan farm in Las Cruces. They can meet with our local office staff and receive direct consultation, have their tax return performed by the Hobbs office staff that has past experience with them, and any on-site bookkeeping or inventory work can be handled by our Alamogordo or El Paso Team. Since we have offices throughout the state we have personnel with experience in all the different industries that are heavily represented here – oil & gas, agriculture, construction, and hospitality. We also belong to Allinial Global, which is an association of accounting and consulting firms with offices in North America and throughout the world. This allows us to collaborate with other firms from all over the globe to help our clients who business or investment reach extends beyond the southwest.What do you think is the biggest obstacle in operating a successful business?There a lot of obstacles to operating a successful business. The biggest obstacle to one business may not be an obstacle to another business at all. Some of the more common obstacles I see with small business owners are having sufficient capital (cash flow), getting and retaining talent and intelligently increasing market share. What words of wisdom would you offer to someone starting their own business?You’ll need great advice to handle all the areas of expertise that you don’t possess, so it’s great to tap referrals from friends and family. Come armed with as many questions as possible and always interview more than one expert before you decide who your accountant, attorney or consultant should be. We offer a free initial consultation, so make the most of it.What’s your favorite saying or quotation?The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s a slightly shortened version of Matthew 7:12. I feel like if I can remember that and apply it in all of my daily interactions—whether it’s in my relationship with my wife, my children, neighbors, customers or strangers that I share the road with—it will help me stay out of trouble. That saying, along with, “Would you rather be right or would you rather be happy?” and “Serenity now!,” you can’t go wrong with those. What book are you currently reading or what’s your favorite book?I don’t know that I have a favorite book. I’m not really into fiction or biographical stuff, but I do read a lot of investing, landscaping and do-it-yourself books. One of my favorite investing books—which is probably one of the easiest to read—is Peter Lynch’s “One Up on Wall Street.” It’s written so well, you don’t have to have a business degree to understand and get a lot out of it.If there is one thing about Albuquerque or New Mexico that you could change, what would it be?We’ve lived in Albuquerque for close to three years now. We moved up from Las Cruces. We love it here. The people are friendly. The weather, the parks, restaurants, the tram, the balloons in the sky, the Zoo, Aquarium and museums are all fantastic. I don’t think we’ve reached the end of the honeymoon stage yet, so ask me that question again in five years. Maybe I’ll have an answer for you.What inspires you? My wife Anelisa and sons, Evan and Bennett, as well as a sincere “Thank you” from clients. I have to admit some days it’s mainly the mortgage and daycare bills that motivate me to get out of bed and come to work. We’ve all had those days
This Is Albuquerque: Rpc Cpas + Consultants
An Interview With New Manager Craig Simons
Alibi
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5 min read
