How S.J. Meyer Bolsters Shaw & Associates During Tax Season

Bringing Business Home is a new series between Townsquare Media and the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce to highlight local business people and their impact in the community.

When the calendar turns over to a new year, the busy stretch begins at Shaw & Associates CPA.

Work becomes both a marathon and sprint during the tax season of Jan. 1-April 15.

"The phone doesn't stop ringing and people are constantly popping in or dropping off documents," said Shaw & Associates office manager S.J. Meyer. "It's intense. I have about a thousand things to do at the same time."

Meyer becomes the gatekeeper for the two-decade-old businesses' more than 700 clients.

"Everything filters in and out through the front," Meyer said. "Every person’s tax documents, every question and phone call pretty much comes to me."

After her first year on the job last year, Meyer has added in new processes to make 2020 go even smoother.

In true Fort Collins fashion, Meyer and the rest of the Shaw staff toast the end of the busy tax season on April 15 with a beer. Last year, it was on the rooftop of C.B. & Potts.

Although for Meyer, April 15 ends on busy season but starts another. She helps run her boyfriend John Lawyer's food truck and catering business — they run Corndoggies, RamaMama and Lickskillet Catering together.

Here's a Q& A with Meyer and the Shaw & Associates business she works for:

Name of business and how long have they been here?

Shaw & Associates CPA at 1044 W. Drake Road in Fort Collins. The business has operated since the start of 1997.

Favorite restaurant in Northern Colorado?

When you are dating a chef, you really don't go out much. But I'm a sucker for chicken and mashed potatoes. So I'll say Austin's (American Grill). Their chicken and mashed potatoes is just a comforting meal.

Last place you volunteered at?

W.O.L.F. Sanctuary in Bellvue.

Tell us about your customers?

We've got customers from all across the board — between 700-800 total. Just under half are corporate accounts. The rest are personal accounts including a lot of young families.

Last time you saw live music in Northern Colorado?

NewWestFest. Any free concerts in town, I try to jump on. Genre-wise I'm big into indie music.

What one thing sets Fort Collins apart from other towns and communities?

I think Fort Collins has a huge community base. It's one of those towns where it is big but feels small because of that community. There's always something going on.