About Our Firm
It is our mission to provide our clients with the services that will enable them to focus on the tasks and goals that ensure an accurate bottom line. We provide expert analysis, counsel, and overall peace of mind for their financial reporting.
Our Team
Brian G. Mason E.A.
For over 25 years, Mr. Mason has been a professional business consultant to a wide array of individuals and businesses across multiple industries. His career includes professional consulting positions with Arthur Andersen, Coopers & Lybrand, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and SAIC across the telecommunication, aviation, military, technology, utility, individual, small business, and retirement market sectors. Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from American University in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Mason brings with him additional tax expertise through the Internal Revenue Service’s highest designation, Enrolled Agent. This designation enables Mr. Mason to not only compile Federal tax returns but, more importantly, directly represent taxpayers in matters of audits, offer-in-compromise, and tax court proceedings nationwide.
Genevie E. Mason
Vice President
Genevie E. Mason brings over 20 years of tax experience to Mason Tax & Business Solutions. With her emphasis on sales and use tax, she adds a wide depth of knowledge in a unique area of taxation our clients often require. Genevie has a demonstrated history of providing tax compliance and audit management covering various industries in multiple state and local jurisdictions. As the Transaction Tax Senior Manager at Rackspace Hosting for over 10 years, Mrs. Mason oversaw all of the transaction tax activities for the Fortune 500 company. Her experience included direct audit defense across dozens of states while providing consultative expertise in compliance.
Genevie graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a Bachelor of Business Administration focused in Accounting. Her career includes involvement in small family owned businesses to large Fortune 500 companies and projects including Abandoned and Unclaimed Property, Business Personal Property Tax, SOX and Internal Controls and Tax Software Implementations.
Angel Mercier
Sr. Staff Accountant
Angelette Jones Mercier is our resident Senior Staff Accountant overseeing both accounting and tax preparation services. She brings over 20 years of accounting experience along with an Associate’s Degree and certification from San Antonio College, a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Master’s of Science Degree from the University of the Incarnate Word. Ms. Mercier has worked in a variety of facets in the accounting and finance field including data analysis, financial statement preparation, multiple forms of federal income tax preparation, and audit defense and brings the skills of customer service, critical thinking, and problem solving to provide support to Mason Tax clientele. Accounting has always been her passion. She continues to excel under Mr. Mason’s tutelage and expects to obtain additional credentials in the near future that will further enable her to be even a bigger asset to the Mason Tax structure.
Lisa Whitlock
Payroll & Office Administrator
Lisa Renae Whitlock is the Office Administrator and Payroll Specialist for MTBS. She brings over 20 years of office administrative experience at accounting firms. Ms. Whitlock has worked in a variety of accounting fields, including bookkeeping, payroll, and general office administrative roles.
She took on the role of being in the tax field as she was nominated in high school to attend an accounting course through the University of North Texas offered by Coopers & Lybrand. She continues to excel in the mentorship role of Mr. Mason and expects to improve her role while obtaining growth with MTBS.
Nicholas Thurman
Staff Accountant
Brining over 10 years of accounting and tax expertise, Nicholas Thurman provides tax preparation and general ledger accounting services for MTBS. He holds a Masters of Accountancy as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting both from Texas State University. He is highly skilled at preparing corporate, partnership, and individual tax returns and possesses a strong understanding of current tax law. Nicholas is and is able to understand and address complex accounting needs of our clients quickly and effectively and we are excited to have him as part of our growing team.
Enrolled Agent vs. C.P.A.
What Is An Enrolled Agent
E.A. vs C.P.A.
What is a CPA?
Defining EAs
What Is An Enrolled Agent
An Enrolled Agent (E.A.) is a federally authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals. “Enrolled” means to be licensed to practice by the federal government, and “Agent” means authorized to appear in the place of the taxpayer at the IRS. Only Enrolled Agents, attorneys, and CPAs may represent taxpayers before the IRS. For more information, visit the National Association of Enrolled Agents.
E.A. vs C.P.A.
When it comes time to select tax representation, you generally have three options: Attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents. Depending on the nature of your IRS problem, you will need to know which is the right one to hire.
First, you need to understand that most attorneys do not specialize in tax representation.
Even tax attorneys, who specialize in tax matters, normally specialize in tax law, not IRS collections or audit representation. If you are facing a criminal tax investigation or are taking a matter straight to tax court, you need an experienced tax attorney. For other types of IRS matters, you will need somebody with an accounting background and legal background.
What is a CPA?
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a person who is extremely knowledgeable in accounting practices and applications and is able to apply laws and regulations in practice. If your tax needs are primarily based on direct accounting matters, such as justifying mathematical calculations, validating specific deductions or income items, or filing missing returns, then a CPA is a great choice.
Defining EAs
Experts who keep up with the ever-changing area of taxation and are therefore effectively able to represent persons who are audited by the IRS.
Required to show they are competent in tax laws before they can represent a taxpayer before the IRS.
Specifically licensed directly by the U.S. Treasury Department to represent taxpayers on tax matters while CPAs and attorneys are usually licensed by the state in which they reside.
Essentially, enrolled agents focus solely on tax filing and tax representation and are uniquely qualified to assist clients in this capacity.
Pricing
Business Services
Individual Services
Business Services
Most of our clients are billed on fixed monthly retainer amounts that cover portions or all of the identified services. We also provide hourly consultation and support services on an ad hoc basis or for a specific project. We are happy to work with you to tailor an individual agreement based on your business type and desired services.
Individual Services
Our individual tax return preparation services are based on the complexity of the return and the time it takes to complete each filing. We are not simple tax return preparers, we provide a holistic approach that includes strategic advice, accountability, and ongoing support. Accordingly our services are priced above normal market rates. We are happy to provide a cost estimate after an initial introductory phone call to ensure we are a good fit for you and your family.