Small Business Spotlight – July 2019: Elliott, Robinson & Company, LLP, CPAs
Company name: Elliott, Robinson & Company, LLP, CPAs
Person in charge: Bob Helm, CPA - Managing Partner
Year founded: 1973
Describe what your organization provides for its customers:
At Elliott, Robinson & Company, LLP, CPAs, we handle and solve client issues from any perspective that they might need. Sometimes it is as simple as referring them to someone for banking, insurance, investment or other needs that might be brought to our attention. Our goal is to make them feel we are more than accountants; we are trusted business advisors who assist to help them run their business more effectively which typically means more profitable. We come along clients to show them how to accomplish not only their business and financial goals but also their personal goals. Because life is more than just their balance sheet.
Give us a brief history of your business and what makes it unique:
In 1973, Gordon Elliott established a public accounting firm whose purpose was to provide quality services to family-owned businesses in the Springfield community. He started with limited staff, but unlimited drive. From the beginning Elliott Robinson has been committed to providing exceptional service to individuals and small businesses.
Today, the number of passionate and skilled professionals in our firm continues to grow as our services expand. Even as our firm expands, we remain devoted to meeting clients’ needs accurately, effectively, and on time. With a professional staff of accountants, Elliott Robinson offers tax and auditing services in addition to specializes areas including:
- Historic Tax Credits, Audits, and Certifications
- Low Income Housing Projects
- Retirement Plan Administration and Audits
- Non-Profit Industry
- Business Valuations
- Fraud Examination
Our Mission: to be our clients' most trusted business advisor.
We recognize that each client has unique needs and situations. Our approach is simple and effective: we listen, evaluate, and help you create solutions that are designed to meet your needs. You are not a number to us; you are a client and we hope over time, a friend.
What’s the most exciting recent highlight for your business?
The fact that we are now well into the second generation of the firm and continue to be very successful is a huge accomplishment as a locally owned business. With that comes excellent growth and opportunities for the staff to advance within our firm. Reaching 45 years of service to Springfield and the surrounding communities says a lot for the history and accomplishments of Elliott Robinson. As we continue to invest and grow in our community, the most exciting recent highlight is we purchased a firm in Branson, MO in October 2018 and then expanded and relocated our Republic, MO office in December 2018.
To top it off, Elliott Robinson was named to Accounting Today’s 2018 Best Accounting Firms to Work For!
Where do you hope to see your business in 12 months?
Simply put, the future of Elliott Robinson is great, with an excellent staff that is second to none who are committed to serving our clients at the very highest level.
We take pride in what we do, which results in the positive impact we have had on the families and businesses we serve. Elliott Robinson has a strong history of proven success, and we are looking to the future. We seek new ways to meet our clients' changing needs, and constantly reach new levels of expertise with qualified staff. We credit our success mainly to the way we've done business for 45 years: placing the highest value on our clients, every step of the way.
What advice would you offer to someone starting their own small business?
From a fundamental starting point, surround yourself with good business professionals (attorney, CPA, insurance, banking, etc.), develop a business plan, and create the applicable budgets. Depending on the type of business, a key to long-term fiscal stability is to have a good understanding of financial data and processes such as payroll and the related accounting due dates along with basic knowledge of reading and understanding financial statements. Proactively practicing consistent business characteristics to be efficient, conservative, and realistic will propel a business start-up.
