All Compass Tax Educators founders are nationally-known speakers in tax law, procedure, and controversy representation. Additionally each:
- Hold bachelors or advanced college degrees and currently practice in tax preparation and tax controversy representation in various parts of the country.
- Passed the written admission examination for nonattorneys that allows them to practice before the U.S. Tax Court. This difficult exam is offered only every other year and has an exceptionally low pass rate.
- Received the Excellence in Education Award from the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) for “significant contributions having immediate and/or long-term impact on the quality and scope of NAEA education programs.”
- Achieved National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI) Fellow status by completing a three-level program that focuses on representing taxpayers administratively before the IRS.
- Give back to their profession: each belongs to various other professional associations and has volunteered in various capacities including serving in leadership positions.
Geri Bowman
CPA, EA, USTCP
CO-FOUNDER AND INSTRUCTOR GERI BOWMAN, CPA, EA, USTCP, earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Akron in 1994 and became a CPA in 1995. Her year-round tax and accounting firm located in Mogadore, Ohio focuses on serving the small business and individual market. While she accepts an occasional tax representation client, Geri enjoys the decades-long relationships she has built with compliant taxpayers most and looks forward to the annual conversations with returning 1040 clients. She is a certified public accountant with more than 25 years’ experience, became an enrolled agent in 2012 while preparing to take the tax court exam, and was admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court in 2013. She has served on the National Association of Enrolled Agents Board as a Director and has served on multiple NAEA committees since 2012. She has taught for various NAEA state and local affiliates. Geri was presented with the 2015 President’s Award in recognition of her efforts with the education programs offered by NAEA, and she received the NAEA Excellence in Education award in 2016.
Thomas A. Gorczynski
EA, CTP, USTCP
CO-FOUNDER AND INSTRUCTOR Thomas A. Gorczynski, EA, USTCP is a nationally recognized speaker and educator on federal tax law matters. He is the author of the Tom Talks Taxes online newsletter, co-founder of the InCite tax community, and co-owner of Compass Tax Educators.
Tom has a weekly mastermind group, the Inner Circle with Tom, where he works with tax practitioners to solve challenging client issues, build profitable tax practices, and reclaim personal time (even during tax season!). He is an Enrolled Agent, a Certified Tax Planner, a National Tax Practice Institute Fellow, and admitted to the bar of the United States Tax Court as a non-attorney. Tom earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a Certificate in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He received the 2019 Excellence in Education Award from the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the 2018 Member of the Year Award from the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners. His tax practice in Phoenix, Arizona focuses on tax controversy representation and advanced tax planning strategies.
Sherrill L. Trovato
MBA, MST, EA, USTCP
CO-FOUNDER AND INSTRUCTOR SHERRILL L. (GREGORY) TROVATO, MBA, MST, EA, USTCP holds degrees in BA, Accounting, MBA (Finance), and Master of Science (Taxation). She is an enrolled agent with more than 30 years of experience, a Fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI) and was admitted to practice as a nonattorney before the US Tax Court in 2001. Her Fountain Valley, CA firm focuses on individual and small business needs including tax preparation and controversy representation. She was a regular NTPI instructor between 2002-2017, frequently speaks at various organizations, and has authored several tax and financial articles for professional journals. Sherrill developed and began teaching Preparing to Practice before the US Tax Court after passing the exam on her first attempt; more than 81% of those passing the exam since 2002 have been her students or used her materials. Her awards include the NAEA Excellence in Education award (2004), NAEA’s Mentor of the Year award (2011), and the Founders Award (2014), NAEA’s highest award bestowed upon a member, to recognize her significant achievement and contributions on behalf of enrolled agents.