Exploring Life & Business with LaToya James of AccuTax Pros / Mama & Kenn

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaToya James.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I actually wear a few hats — I’m an industrial engineer by degree and profession, but I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive. I founded AccuTax Pros because I wanted to build something of my own that would not only create financial freedom for me, but also help others do the same. What started with me preparing returns for family and friends quickly grew into a business with over 25 employees. Now, AccuTax Pros is a trusted firm that serves clients across the country and trains new preparers to launch their own businesses.

At the same time, I leaned into my creative side and started content creation with my daughter under the brand Mama & Kenn. What began as a fun way to share our everyday life has grown into full-time brand partnerships with national companies, storytelling across TikTok (1.7M followers), Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and even a TV show in production.

For me, both AccuTax Pros and content creation reflect the same vision — building platforms that inspire, empower, and create opportunities for others. It’s been a journey of hard work, faith, and consistency, and I’m grateful for how far we’ve come while still being excited for what’s ahead.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I believe that’s where the growth happens. With AccuTax Pros, one of the biggest challenges early on was trust. Taxes are personal, and people need to feel confident that you’ll handle their finances with care and integrity. Building that trust took time, consistency, and lots of late nights making sure every client felt valued. Managing a growing team has also had its ups and downs — everything from training new preparers to creating systems that keep the business running smoothly during tax season chaos.

On the content creation side, it was about finding our voice in a crowded space. The industry can be unpredictable — sometimes brands want constant changes, sometimes opportunities fall through, and sometimes the work behind the scenes is much heavier than people realize. Balancing it all with being a mom, running a business, and still showing up authentically online hasn’t always been easy.

But through it all, I’ve learned resilience, patience, and the importance of staying true to my vision. Every setback has been a setup for a bigger opportunity, and I wouldn’t trade the journey because it’s made me who I am today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about AccuTax Pros / Mama & Kenn?
At AccuTax Pros, we specialize in more than just preparing taxes — we’re about helping people build financial freedom and independence. We provide tax preparation, tax training courses, credit repair, and business support services for individuals who not only want their taxes done right, but also want to learn the industry and possibly start businesses of their own.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just serve clients — we equip and empower them. Many of our preparers actually started as clients who trusted us with their returns and then decided to take one of our training programs. Today, they’re running their own businesses. That cycle of teaching, mentoring, and watching others succeed is something I’m incredibly proud of.

We’re known for our professionalism, integrity, and our ability to break down something as intimidating as taxes into simple, actionable steps. I’m most proud of how the brand has grown from me working alone with a few clients into a company with 25 employees and a national footprint — while still keeping a personal, family-oriented feel.

For anyone reading this, I want you to know that AccuTax Pros is about more than numbers. It’s about building confidence, creating independence, and giving people tools that can change their lives. Whether you’re looking for someone to trust with your taxes, or you’re ready to step into entrepreneurship, we’re here to help you succeed.

Alongside AccuTax Pros, I’ve also built a content creation brand with my daughter called Mama & Kenn. What started as sharing everyday life has grown into full-time brand partnerships, national campaigns, and even a TV show in production. Just like AccuTax Pros, Mama & Kenn is rooted in authenticity, inspiration, and the belief that when people see what’s possible, they begin to believe they can achieve it too.

Together, both brands reflect my mission: to empower, educate, and inspire. Whether that’s helping someone launch their own tax business, guiding a client through financial challenges, or creating content that uplifts and entertains, I want people to walk away feeling capable and supported.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see the tax industry shifting in some big ways over the next 5–10 years. The first is technology and automation. Clients are already looking for faster, easier, and more secure ways to file — which is why we’ve adopted new software and apps at AccuTax Pros. I think the future will be all about convenience: clients uploading documents from their phones, reviewing returns in an app, and even having AI assist with document checks and accuracy.

At the same time, there will always be a strong need for human expertise and trust. Taxes are personal, and while software can make things easier, people still want someone they can call, ask questions, and rely on for guidance. That’s where AccuTax Pros stands out — blending technology with real people who care.

Another big shift is the entrepreneurship wave. More people are realizing that tax preparation can be a career or side business. I see training programs, mentorship, and small-business tax prep services growing rapidly because people want financial independence. That’s why I focus not just on preparing returns, but also on training and equipping others to run their own businesses.

On the content side, I think education through social media will keep growing. People are learning financial literacy from Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube in ways that are relatable and easy to digest. That’s why with Mama & Kenn, I’m intentional about blending lifestyle and financial empowerment. It’s not just about creating content — it’s about showing people that building businesses, wealth, and freedom is possible, and doing it in a way that feels authentic.

So overall, the industry will get more digital, more mobile, and more client-driven — but those who combine professionalism, integrity, and personal service with technology and relatable education will be the ones who thrive.

Pricing:

• Tax Preparation Training Class 2-Week Training (via Zoom) Includes professional software, marketing materials, trainings, unlimited assistance, and access to a private group $375 investment
• Credit Repair Services Packages starting at $499
• Tax Preparation Services Individual Returns: starting at $350 Married Filing Joint Returns: starting at $550 Business Returns: starting at $450 Corporation Returns: starting at $450 (Pricing may vary depending on complexity of return and additional forms required)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.accutaxpros.com and www.mamaandkenn.com
• Instagram: @accutaxpros and @ms.latoyalee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamaandkenn/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itskennedylee
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamaandkenn

Image Credits
suit pics – Jacob Allison
Black dress – Liam- Shotbybarbeau