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Greg Zacharias, CPA
I’m often asked “Why did you become an accountant?” or “Do you like what you do?” When you ask most kids what they want to be when they grow up, you probably don’t hear “accountant.” I certainly didn’t grow up dreaming of debits, credits, and tax deductions. However, I had dreams of making it the business world and I was always good with numbers. Throughout school, I learned that accounting was the lifeblood of any business. How could you know how well you were doing, if you didn’t have the numbers to prove it?
After graduating from the University of Florida, I spent my first few years working for a large firm and then two large corporations. Although I gained a lot of knowledge and experience, I didn’t feel connected to my work or the numbers I plugged into my reports. The numbers were abstract and faceless. After a few years of sitting in a cubicle, I knew I needed a new direction. That is when I stumbled upon a smaller CPA firm that specialized in working with small businesses and instantly knew that I had found my calling. Although I wasn’t necessarily living my entrepreneurial dream, I was at least helping others achieve their dreams.
Despite making partner at the firm, I knew what I really wanted was to strike it out on my own. I started my own firm in Grapevine, Texas in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. I was finally my own boss and in charge of running my business. I was able to take many of things I learned from my prior jobs and tweak them to fit what I believed as the proper way to run a CPA firm. I made a lot of mistakes at first, but through time and hard work, my business flourished. I focused on fixing all the things that my clients complained to me about when I was an employee at my prior firm. I offered fixed pricing, immediate responses to e-mails and phone calls, and a real commitment to customer service. And I found a niche with clients who wanted to work with a CPA, but were often scared that they couldn't afford it.
In 2012, after 5 years of running my own firm, my family decided it was time to move back home to Florida. I’m excited to restart my firm once again by offering small businesses and individuals the same simple promise that I provided in Texas: A professional CPA experience at a reasonable price.
I currently live in South Tampa with my wife Christine and our two sons, Drew and James. I remain active in the community as a member of the Centre Club, Tampa Connection, and I currently sit on the Board of The First Tee of Tampa Bay. I look forward to college football on Saturdays, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with my family.
I have fulfilled my dream of running my own business, and will be happy to help you do the same.
I look forward to working with you.
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