Minnesota Society of Enrolled Agents

Minnesota Society of Enrolled Agents
Enrolled Agents are to taxes as CPA's are
to accounting and Attorneys are to law.

President
	Pamela Birkholz, EA 763-574-0444 sillyhobby@comcast.net I started my career as a tax preparer for H & R Block in 1988 after preparing simple returns for 7 years at home. I became an Enrolled Agent in 1998 where I continued with H & R Block Premium before I left to start my own business with Barb Hoium. Barb Hoium and I own Hoium and Birkholz Tax & Accounting Services LLC in Fridley. We have been in business together since 1999. In 2004 I passed my insurance and securities tests so I am now licensed to sell securities in Minnesota. I have been married to my loving husband Charles since 1987. I have 2 beautiful daughters and a step-son. My daughters enjoy working in the office when it gets busy. I enjoy reading and farming in my spare time. I am a member of NAEA, MNSEA, NATP, NSA and NSTP.

Vice President
	Ronald Beighley, EA 507-285-5258 rlbeighley@charter.net Ronald started his tax business in 1968, doing tax work for about ten clients, simple returns requiring some knowledge. In 1969 he did about 20 clients, some more involved and a couple of out of state returns, the income he derived only covered expenses. He knew more schooling was required so he took courses from Federated Tax Service. In 1970 he handled about 40 clients. He ran into more problems where no one seemed to know the answers including the IRS. The need for more tax education was even more apparent. He took courses from the NAtional Tax Training School. Starting in 1972, he took courses from Cooks Institute of Electic Engineering in income tax accounting and completed it with a 90% grade. In 1973 he took a course from the National Tax Training School in federal income tax. That year his income was only $373.00. In 1974 he took another course, National Tax Training School as a tax consultant. In 1975 he passed the Special Enrollment Examination and was granted a licence to practice before the treasury. He has been past treasurer and president of the MnSEA, previous member of the Board of Directors, many years ago when we were about 20 members. Look forward to serving in any way he can, and will try his up most to contribute whatever is needed and lead us in a direction of growth, achievement, and quality education.

Treasurer
	Ronald Kohls, EA 763-425-8229 rkohls@comcast.net Ron has been in practice for himself since 1987. He currently prepares over 800 individual income tax returns and 35 small business returns. His practice is in Brooklyn Park. Prior to being in practice for himself he was corporate controller and tax manager for a trucking company in Minneapolis. He has his BSBA degree in accounting with honors from Roosevelt University in Chicago and his MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He passed the EA exam on the first try in 1996. Ron and his wife Sheila have two grown sons and four grandchildren. In his spare time he likes to travel, garden and ride either is motorcycle or bicycle.

Secretary
	Laura Passe, EA 763-670-4529 laurapasse@netscape.net Laura started out her career in bookkeeping in 1989. In 1994 she started working for H&R Block where she worked as a tax preparer until 2004. In 2000 Laura started her own bookkeeping and payroll service. Tax seasons 2005 and 2006 Laura worked for various tax companies and in 2007 expanded her bookkeeping service to include taxes, she is now working out of her home. In 2004 Laura received her EA certification, Health and Life Insurance license and her Series 6 and 63 licenses. She has let her Series 6 and 63 licenses expire but continue with her EA and Insurance education. Laura and her husband Pat have been married since October 12, 1996 and have two wonderful daughters, Amanda Kate who was born November 6, 1998 and Larissa Lynn born on April 26, 2000. They live in Blaine, MN and enjoy quite nights by the fire or on the deck.

Director
	Ginger Decker, EA 651-484-9160 jelliebeane@comcast.net Ginger started her tax preparation career in 1982 as an employee for Mr. Tax of America where she worked until 1993. She started working at H & R Block in 1994 and in 1995 she began working at the H & R Block Premium tax office. Ginger received her EA certification in 1998 and in 2000 she started her own business now known as Ginger Decker Tax & Accounting Services, LLC. She works from her home office located in Little Canada, MN. Ginger is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor a member of NAEA, MNSEA, NATP, and NSTP. She has been married to her husband Gary for forty-two years. They have two wonderful children Daniel and April and two exceptional grandchildren Tim and Nicole.

Director
	Barb Hoium, EA 763-574-0444 bhoium@yahoo.com I started my career as a tax preparer for H & R Block in 1970. I became an EA in 1983 and continued at the Premium Office for H & R Block. I taught basic and intermediate tax classes for over 22 years for them, I then started a tax and accounting business with Pam Birkholz in 1999. I have one gorgeous daughter and the best son in law in the world. We spend a lot of time at the lake in the summer. I take care of my mentally disabled cousin Louis, who has been with me for 10 years. I am a member of NAEA, MNSEA, NATP and NSTP

Director
	Nan Smith, EA 651-433-5018 Davnan5018@aol.com Nan started her government career in 1961 working for the Department of Defense, later moved on to the Center for Disease Control and finally ended up at the IRS in St. Paul MN. In 1994 she started her self-employed tax career and became an enrolled agent in 2000. She enjoys hiking with her dogs, biking, camping and traveling with her family.

Director
	Linda Ferwerda, EA 651-774-2107 linda@lindasaccounting.com I started my accounting career twenty eight years ago with the Norwest Banks, now Wells Fargo, in their commercial lending department. Over the years, I discovered that I enjoy working with businesses to help them achieve their business goals and have a handle on their financial well being by giving them accurate accounting, assets management, depreciation, cash flow projections and tax planning. My passion for tax preparation came from a desire to help my friends in the Christian community who are Ministers of Religion by being a teacher or a pastor. To aid them in making sound decisions that are unique to their tax situation I took a tax class on tax preparation through H & R Block and then I was hooked. I received my EA certification from the IRS on April 22, 2006. My practice is located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota and I have two employees at the present time. In addition to individual tax preparation we offer full charge accounting services and payroll to a variety of businesses that also includes business tax preparation. I attended Northern Michigan University and Century College where I completed my associate's degree in accounting. I'm a member of the National Association of Tax Preparers, The National Association and The Minnesota Chapter of Enrolled Agents, The Association of Professional Bookkeepers and the White Bear Chamber of Commerce. I have been married to Ron for 34 years and we have one daughter, Christine, two sons, Joseph and Ryan and two grandchildren Jacob and Ella. In June and October of 2008 we will be adding two daughter-in-laws to our family Betsy and Julia.

Past President
	Dorothy Anderson, EA 218-692-2650 aceinc@crosslake.net Dorothy is in her third career, starting out with ten years as a Coronary Care Nurse before moving into the accounting field. She started her income tax career with H&R Block in 1981 and worked as a preparer, office supervisor and tax school instructor for both basic and advanced classses, finishing up with their Executive Tax Service. Dorothy and her husband, Andy, decided to make a move "up north" to the Crosslake area, so after 15 years with Block she opened Anderson Tax & Accounting Service in Crosslake. She preapres all types of tax returns as well as providing payroll and bookkeeping services. She received her EA certification in 1985, becoming active in MnSEA after her move to Crosslake. She has served as a board member and MnSEA EA Exam Prep Course instructor. Dorothy would like to encourage more out-state members to take advantage of the opportunities MnSEA provides. Dorothy is married and has two wonderful children and two outstanding grandchildren. In her spare time she sings in her church choir and volunteers at her church and Bible Study Fellowship. She is also a member of NATP, NSA, and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.