I have worked in tax preparation and financial planning since graduating from Binghamton University. I started preparing taxes part-time while my husband, Lynn, and I raised our son, Michael. Gradually, I went from working part-time to full-time year-round doing tax preparation and planning. During my early years, I took the Enrolled Agent (EA) examination which requires annual continuing education credits that help me stay updated with ever-changing tax laws. I now concentrate on tax preparation and tax planning for financial planning clients.

My interest in financial planning was sparked by the realization that many of my tax clients’ financial advisors were not fully considering the tax impact in their recommendations. This led me to become a certified financial planner (CFP®), a role where I can combine investment advice and tax planning. I am passionate about working with clients who share my goal of legally minimizing taxes over their lifetime, growing their retirement funds and achieving their other financial goals and dreams.

As a woman and a business owner, I understand the complications of balancing work and family life. I am deeply passionate about empowering women to be confident to play a significant role in their families’ financial lives. Since we often outlive our spouses or may be single throughout our life, it is essential to understand the family finances. As parents, we are responsible for educating our children on how to manage their financial lives. I want to help you with that task by helping you understand financial concepts. I love reading or listening to books, podcasts, or webinars regarding financial concepts to find new ways to improve both my own and clients’ financial lives.

My childhood challenges instilled in me a strong work ethic that serves me well in running my business. It also underscored the importance of education, particularly financial literacy. This belief drives me to donate time and resources to local non-profits that aim to educate children and adults in this crucial area. I’m committed to spreading the knowledge that can empower individuals to make informed financial decisions.

 Most know me as someone who does not sit still. When I am not involved in the challenge of numbers, I can often be found doing a home remodeling project. I have fun with everything from demolition to painting walls to figuring out the decor. During the summer, I can be found riding my three-wheeled motorcycle, working in the garden or planting more trees on our property. I look forward to continuing
traveling, both within the United States and overseas. I am also working my way through my lifetime bucket list, with my most recent project being the desire to become a published author.

I have been involved with Planning with Purpose from the beginning when the business was called Gerri Harrison Financial Services and Ever Evolving Enterprises. I am now a part of Riverside Income Taxes. I have handled the technology, ensuring both the hardware and software have kept up with its needs. I developed several customized programs that the office uses to track client transactions and maintain client information in a useable format. I have also been extensively involved with Gerri’s projects when renovating the office.  

I have spent most of the last forty years as a software developer and an engineering manager.  Writing software, managing people, and creating schedules have taught me the importance of paying attention to the details. It has also taught me the skill of listening – I have spent years learning to communicate and clarify requirements to meet the customer’s needs. I have had the entrepreneurial spirit throughout most of my adult life and even ran my own consulting business for a few years. 

In addition to working as a software developer, Gerri and I raised our son, Mike. I was involved with Mike’s Boy Scout activities and served as a leader up through his years of obtaining his Eagle Scout. Today, Mike and I share a love of video games and science fiction, which we often engage in together.  Gerri and I both love to travel, ride our motorcycles, and lend our time to various charitable activities.

I have retired from being a software developer and will now be managing the tax office.

Being at retirement age is giving me direct insight into getting prepared for that phase of life. As the spouse of a financial planner, I have relied on her abilities. Becoming more actively involved in our personal finances for the past few years, I have come to understand the struggles that come with managing finances. Understanding financial terminology can feel like learning a foreign language. Spending the time to develop financial goals and putting actions in place to achieve those goals is time-consuming and requires an ongoing time commitment. High family medical costs have led me to understand the importance of managing cash flow and planning for today’s needs and future needs.