Sinclair CPA, PLLC works with many small businesses in the area, along with individuals, with their finances and taxes.
Owner and operator Kyle Sinclair received a banking and finance degree from Ole Miss in 2006, then earned an accounting degree from Southern Miss. He worked at an accounting firm for nearly five years but wanted to get back to working on the client relations side to work with small business owners, whom he has a lot of respect for.
“From the Griners to the Duffs and the Joneses, entrepreneurs have made this town. To be able to help the next Griner or whoever is the next big Columbia business person — a lot of towns like Columbia are dying, but people like that who believe in their hometown, start something good and want to keep everything here — that’s the type of people who I like to deal with,” he said. “A lot of politics talk about business, but big conglomerates don’t need help. It’s the individual business owners that make this country go. The mom and pop shops that start off with one or two business, then maybe the next generation grows it to three or four — that’s where the great American businesses come from. It’s small-town people that are wanting to do their passion and not just work for somebody to draw a paycheck.”
Sinclair said he enjoys helping and interacting with entrepreneurs who are really good at what they do and have an interest in growing their business the right way but could use some assistance on managing their finances.
“Anybody can start a business, but in order to stay within the lines of the laws and regulations, I enjoy helping those people stay on top of those type of things — sales tax, payroll, etc. — on a day-to-day basis to take some weight off of their shoulders,” he said. “I take some of that responsibility from them and help them do a little planning to assist in taxes.”
Many big accounting firms deal with so many big businesses that smaller ones may fall through the cracks and not receive the same amount of attention. That’s where Sinclair excels.
“I think entrepreneurship should be the American dream, and everybody should strive for it. It’s a lot more fun being your own boss,” he said. “In my instance, I answered to about 13 partners when I was (at the other firm), and it’s difficult when you’re working for multiple people and not being sure who you answer to. So I decided to go this route.”
The building Sinclair is in now, Suite 1 at 1137 U.S. 98 E Bypass in Columbia, was finished just 10 days before he got his CPA license. He decided to do tax season, along with some accounting and real estate work, early in 2016, which jumpstarted his firm. “It’s been a really good two years, and I’ve had a really good response from the community,” he said. “It’s grown really fast, faster than I expected.”
While he is passionate about small-business owners, Sinclair also enjoys working with individuals who need help with their taxes every year.
“I absolutely love (working with) individuals, and I’ve met a lot of great people. There are a lot of individuals who just don’t want anything to do with taxes, and they want someone who can do it and make sure it’s done right,” he said. “I feel like I can provide that.”
Sinclair said that growth is a priority for his business at this time, but he wants to continue to be smart in doing so and maintain the personal relationships he has with his current clients. What Sinclair aims for with each of his clients is to have a friendship where they don’t have to be concerned with being nickel and dimed for each minute.
With the growth Sinclair has already experienced since opening his own firm, he is at the point where he is taking into consideration the possibility of adding an experienced receptionist. Although he doesn’t expect to hire anyone before the upcoming tax season, he understands the importance of surrounding himself with a quality staff.
Sinclair had always wanted to work in business and real estate and realized that accounting was the best way to do so, as it is used in everything.
“Decisions may not always be made with accounting in mind, but it affects them one way or the other. What better way to dabble in business and real estate than from an accounting standpoint because it’s integral, comparative and everybody deals with it,” he said. “It evolved from being able to help my parents from the accounting side of it. They sent me to school, and I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned at school to help them. Then I’ve translated that to being able to help my clients and help my community.”
Sinclair encourages current and prospective clients to call him in advance because as a one-person operation, he may not always be in his office.
“My hours are real loose. Tentatively, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (Monday through Friday), I’m going to be here the majority of the time. I do come and go, but I meet after hours with people all the time,” he said. “I know business hours are 8 to 5, so I do accommodate the current clients I have and will accommodate anybody else if something comes up and they need me after hours. The best way to reach me is my cell phone — (601) 441-1755 — I can drop what I’m doing most of the time. I can make appointments at any time.”
Sinclair can also be reached by email at sinclaircpa.pllc@gmail.com.
Pictured Above: Kyle Sinclair began his business in January 2016 and is a certified public accountant. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
