This is Our Story
To illustrate how we got to where we are today it is important to share a
little of our history. Most people who have lived in our town for any length of time
will recognize the business with the slogan “Not Your Basic Bean Counter.” This
brilliant slogan became synonymous with the man who created it, Mike Gordon.
When Mike started up his CPA firm back in the 90’s, Michael A. Gordon, CPA,
LLC – “Not Your Basic Bean Counter” quickly became a household name in our
community. Mike embraced that title because he wanted to build a firm that wasn’t
like everyone else’s. And boy, did he succeed in doing that!
Those of us who have worked for Mike for many years have been directly
inspired by his example. Mike created a business that not only made his clients feel
well taken care of and valued, but he also did the same thing for his staff. We do
not exaggerate at all when we say that Mike has treated us like a family. The
training and mentoring we have received while working for him has made a lasting
mark in our lives. And his over-the-top positive nature has made the firm he built
one that stands out as unique and special.
When Mike approached us in 2020 with his plans to retire we as his staff
tried very hard to talk him out of it! While we understood that he had more than
“paid his dues” and was craving more time to spend with family and grandkids, we
were not ready for our professional story to come to an end. We enjoyed working
together and took pride in serving the people and businesses in our local
community. After having many discussions about where we (and the firm) could
go next, we came up with the perfect solution! Kim Phelps and Susan Watson
decided to “take the plunge” and become business owners! This allowed us to keep
our professional family together, continue to serve our clients as the accounting
firm they had come to know and trust, and, with great pride, carry on the unique
firm Mike had built. So, this is how Phelps & Watson, LLC was born on July 1,
2021.