(248) 357-9000Southfield, MI
As 2024 begins to draw to a close, MRPR is not slowing down; we’re gearing up for another exciting 50 years in the industry! With a rich history behind us and an ambitious vision for the future, we believe our greatest asset is our people. In this latest round of Q&A, we’ve gathered insights from some of our current employees who share their experiences, challenges, and what they love most about being part of the MRPR family. Join us as we celebrate our past and look forward to a bright future together!
Jason Baltrip, Senior Manager
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
As a senior manager, you handle most aspects of the client engagement and assisting staff to help the client be successful whatever task is at hand. I’m mainly a tax generalist but I have some expertise in service businesses such as heating and cooling and personal services such as doctors and dentists.
Q: How do you see your role evolving?
Clients want to know more than just their tax bill, they want to plan for the future to mitigate their taxes. Planning is a key part of that, not just compliance.
Q: What are the key areas where you believe the firm should focus its efforts in the next 10 years?
Business advisory and taxes.
Q: What strategies do you think the firm should adopt to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape? Staying on top of the ever-changing technology, whether it is computers or programs. Also the tax landscape changes frequently so staying ahead of those changes is crucial for our clients.
Katie Bruce, CPA, Principal
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
Soon to be attest director. Specializing in audits including audits of introducing broker dealers.
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
Small entity, close to home, great people.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?
The people and the flexibility.
Q: What are the key areas where you believe the firm should focus its efforts in the next 10 years?
Having active marketing strategies toward our niche areas. Reinvesting in the manufacturing industry and leaders at the senior-manager level.
Evan Carlson, CPA, Senior Accountant, QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
Senior Accountant, work on training/developing younger incoming staff accountants, I focus mainly on business tax and business accounting (monthly, quarterly, annual clean-up), enjoy working with start-up tech companies.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?
I enjoy the people I work with and serving the clients I work for. I know everyone by name, the firm has a family feel. I also enjoy being able to choose my work, instead of specializing in one area like at the Big 4.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or achievement during your time with the company?
One achievement that stands out is during COVID we helped small business clients apply for PPP loans and amended 941s for ERC money.
Q: What are the key areas where you believe the firm should focus its efforts in the next 10 years?
Hiring and employee training/development. Focus on bringing the right people in, and to develop a good internal training program to help staff grow and learn.
Emili Combs, Senior Accountant
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
My role is with small business Client Accounting & Advisory Services and my expertise is accounting clean-up and monthly accounting services.
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
I liked that MRPR was a smaller CPA firm and not one of the large ones at the time. I liked that I would get to work with all areas of accounting such as audits, reviews, comps and taxes, etc.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or achievement during your time with the company?
One of my most memorable moments would be COVID and transitioning to completely working remotely and helping our clients throughout the transition, including ways to gather info data electronically so the accounting and tax returns could still be completed.
Q: What strategies do you think the firm should adopt to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape?
Embrace technology, build strong client relationships that can be used for referrals, invest in talent, invest in cybersecurity, and new service industries.
Stacie Comiskey, Office Manager / IT Administrator
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
Office Manager/IT Administrator in the Saline office.
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
I joined MRPR in June 2018. I had never worked in an accounting firm, but was looking for something different. I was attracted to MRPR because the people I interacted with while interviewing were so nice and it seemed like a great place to work.
Q: What strategies do you think the firm should adopt to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape?
Remain committed to building strong client relationships, and utilize new technology to help MRPR become more efficient and improve our services.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences or insights working here?
It’s nice working for a company that values its clients and employees and puts so much effort into making this a great place to work.
Justin Kemp, CPA, Senior Manager
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
I am a Senior Manager. I am a generalist, but I lean towards attest. I am also a part of the BSA team, MRPR University, and the attest team.
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
I started in January 2013. Coming out of school, I was not fond of going the “big” firm route. MRPR seemed to have a good work/life balance approach that was appealing.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?
The flexible remote work capability. The work/life balance that MRPR allows is number one on my list.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences or insights working here?
All-in-all MRPR is a wonderful firm to work for. The amount of positive change this firm has seen in the last 10 years is incredible and I am excited to see where this firm continues to go in the future.
Andy Klimczak, CPA, Senior Accountant/QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc?
As a senior accountant and working primarily in the SBG group, I work as part of a team to assist our small business clients with their accounting, tax filings, tax research, and advisory needs.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?
The people I get to work alongside.
Q: How do you see your role evolving?
As time goes on, it’s becoming ever more necessary to be able to assist our clients in specialized areas: start-ups, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants, and various specialized accounting, tax, and industry-specific areas.
Q: What are the key areas where you believe the firm should focus its efforts in the next 10 years?
As programs and effectiveness of those are constantly changing, technology integration could be a key area.
Angela Mastroionni, CPA, Managing Principal
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc.?
I started my career at MRPR as a staff accountant directly out of college, and somehow within my 29-year tenure I morphed into the current Managing Principal. I have oversight of & manage the firm by sitting with fellow Principals as part of MRPR’s Executive Committee while providing guidance & support to other leadership and team members across firm service lines/departments to focus on our strategic plans, goals & vision. I also participate as a member of our tax team, our training & development oversight committee, compensation committee and others.
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
The size & culture. I knew I did not want to build a career at one of the Big 6 firms (now the Big 4). A more family-oriented environment was what I was looking for where I could learn & grow without specializing right out of the gate. MRPR did not disappoint.
Q: What are the key areas where you believe the firm should focus its efforts in the next 10 years?
Learning & Development – this is a continuous focus, never ends for any of us. Hiring – non-traditional skills, non-CPA roles. Advisory services – Wealth Management with our strategic partner Avantax; M&A readiness & transaction consultation. Technology – Cloud, Digitization & Automation; Collaboration tool enhancements for remote/hybrid workforce; AI solutions/tools. Flexibility & “Balance” – capacity planning (hours & deadlines); work from home, work from anywhere (work-life integration)
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences or insights working here?
I am honored to be a member of the MRPR Team! MRPR is my home away from home, my team members (current & former) have molded me into the professional I am today in their own way, and our clients have allowed us the success and sustainability for 50 years!
Presley Snyder, Staff Accountant
Q: Describe what your role at MRPR looks like, including any expertise, etc.?
Staff Accountant, I try to do a wide variety of work to gain experience in a variety of different services we offer.
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
I was motivated to join full-time because of the people and the ability to work on a wide variety of jobs. I joined the company in January 2023 as an intern and became a full-time employee in May 2024.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?
What I enjoy most about working here is the people, everyone is super nice and helpful with any questions. I also enjoy the events that the MF Club puts on that allows us all to get together without focusing on work.
Q: How do you see your role evolving?
I see my role evolving by continuing to gain knowledge in different tax and attest services we offer and being able to be more of an asset to the team.
Dennie Jo Zink, Administrative Assistant
Q: What about MRPR motivated you to join the company and when did you join?
I started the firm in July 1991. I had just graduated high school and I was unsure of where I was going next. I heard MRPR was looking to hire another administrative assistant, so I went for an interview. I knew from the moment I interviewed, MRPR was the place I wanted to start my career.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or achievement during your time with the company?
I have so many memorable moments that it’s hard to pick just one. One of my greatest memorable moments is when I met Greg Zink back in 1991, and I thought to myself, hmmm, one day I am going to marry that man. We got married eight years later!
Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?
I have built so many great friendships at MRPR. I enjoy working at MRPR because of the great friendships I have gained over the years. I have grown up with quite a few employees at MRPR and I consider them part of my family.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences or insights working here?
I’m proud to say I work for MRPR and get to celebrate another milestone with them. I celebrated their 25th Anniversary and now 50th. Happy 50th Anniversary MRPR!
Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence!
As we commemorate this incredible milestone, we reflect on the journey that has brought us here—five decades filled with innovation, growth, and unwavering commitment to our clients and community. From humble beginnings to becoming a leader in our industry, our success is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clients.
Looking ahead, we are excited to embrace new challenges and opportunities, staying true to our core values while continuously evolving. Thank you for being a part of our story; we can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds! Here’s to another 50 years of excellence together!