Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Pope.
Melissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a passion for numbers and owning my own business when I was younger. My favorite subject in school was Math. I was undecided about on my classification in college for a while because I knew I wanted to be a business major, but I was stuck between Accounting or Finance.
After doing my research and seeing the demand for Accountants, I made my decision and received my Bachelor’s degree in 2011 from the University of South Alabama in Accounting. I landed my first accounting job in Atmore Alabama where I had to commute back and forth. I started having car problems and being a recent graduate I couldn’t afford a new car, so I knew I had to gain my experience and search for a job in Mobile Alabama. So, I started submitting my resume and God blessed me with another accounting job in Mobile, Alabama, but it was in Public Accounting and I was too busy to even dream about starting my own business.
As time progressed, my aunt called me and told me to submit for an Accountant position for the state because my job at the time was moving back to New Orleans. I was not ready move to New Orleans, so I applied and I got the job with the state. Working for the state is different when you were accustomed to working two fast pace jobs, so this gave me the time to brainstorm about building my own tax and accounting firm. Even though I knew I wanted my own firm, I wanted to experience learning from a trustworthy and successful company. I thought I was going through a legitimate company but ended facing legal issues. I believe everything happens for a reason and after all the bad things I went through with another company, that’s what gave me the push to go ahead and start Pope Tax and Accounting LLC.
Has it been a smooth road?
This has not been a smooth journey. All the job commutes and transitions from different accounting jobs. Handling the pressure of having adequate transportation to provide financially. Then, in September of 2017, my Dad had a bad car accident and was in ICU. With this challenge it had me running back and forth to the hospital and working two jobs. It was extremely stressful. A year after my Dad accident, my Mom had complications and had to go to the hospital. While all of these family concerns are happening, I was still dealing with legal issues that I finally had to just agree to walk away from. So, my journey was not easy. I have cried plenty of nights and lost thousands of dollars dealing with legal issues. However, five figures may not seem like a lot of money, but it’s a lot when you have people depending on you.
Pope Tax and Accounting – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our Services at Pope Tax and Accounting consist of Payroll Services, IRS Resolution Services, IRS Representation Services, IRS Compliance Check, Bookkeeping, and Tax Preparation. Our staff has been trained to Serve in each of these capacities. We are more than just an office to prepare tax returns our services are available all year long. We stand by our customers through the challenges that can arise in the process of dealing with the IRS. We are an Accounting firm to help your Business be completely compliant with all that the IRS requires and that is what sets us apart because many preparers you will not be able to reach after April 15th. Our Customers know they will receive the best care and they bring others with them as they return each year. We are the Best because we Serve the Best.
Contact Info:
- Address: 601 Bel Air Blvd Suite 207 Mobile, AL 36606
- Website: www.popetax.com
- Phone: 251-490-7055
- Email: info@popetax.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/popetaxandaccounting
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/popetaxandaccounting
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/popetaxaccting
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