Thinking Local, Working Global
In real estate, one of the main mantras is, “location, location, location.” With remote technologies allowing greater communication between accounting professionals and their clients, the physical location is gradually becoming less important, at...
Among these clients are a Norwegian software company, South American fruit growers and an Italian manufacturing enterprise. He notes, however, that it’s not just the business climate that attracts foreign business to Florida, it’s also the tropical climate and the quality of life.
“Florida is a magnet for people who want to live in a nice place,” he said. “As a result, there are many wealthy entrepreneurs who choose to move or open businesses here, which allows them to move their families to the U.S. and raise their children here.” Some of these business principals will even take a slight loss in overall profit in order to make the move.
These are legal immigrants who can immediately contribute significantly to the U.S. and local economies through job creation and commerce, and the State Department offers specialty E5 visas to such persons because it helps to foster new business growth. To qualify, individuals are generally required to create at least 10 new full-time jobs for U.S. citizens and invest between $500,000 to $1,000,000, depending upon economic conditions in the area they are locating to.
Axiom CPA works with attorneys specializing in these investor immigrants to provide due diligence for business purposes, vet the viability of ideas presented by business brokers, and advise on other business planning and taxation issues.
U.S.-based businesses still make up most of the firm’s clients, but Joey says that they don’t necessarily fall into similar industries, as some firms choose to specialize. Instead, he says, “Our clients are business owners who aren’t satisfied with the status quo and are going through change. They are usually progressive and technologically savvy, and they trust us to help them shape their direction.”
Joey gained much of his initial interest in business management and accounting from his father, Joseph E. Brannon, CPA, and from working at his firm in Ocala, about 130 miles to the north.
The remote technologies he uses for client engagements also has personal benefits for Joey, allowing him to spend more time with his wife Josie, a second grade teacher, and their sons Andrew and Lance. Joey also sits on the board of the Woodland Community Church (www.gowoodland.com) childcare center, is treasurer for the Manatee County YMCA, and is on the board of advisors for the C12 Group (www.c12group.com), a business resource for Christian business owners and CEOs.
Even with two children, a thriving practice and giving time to faith and community groups, Joey still finds the time to kayak, keep up with the Tampa Bay Rays and Buccaneers, and is an avid reader. His focus is primarily on business productivity books, which he reviews on the blog on his website.
Through Axiom, Joey also hosts client-focused book club events, which lets him share key points that his clients can use to strengthen their businesses and personal mindsets. In one of his recent events, they covered “Let’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play,” by Randy Illig and Mahan Khalsa, which focuses on building a sales process around collaboration and trust.
For Joey, these books are not just beneficial to him in his own life and practice. “They give me more arrows in my quiver to help clients.”
Infobox
Joey Brannon, CPA
Owner, Axiom CPA, P.C.
Bradenton, Florida
Productivity Score: 422
Practice Specialties: Business consulting, strategic planning, international tax and compliance, virtual CFO services.
Education: Covenant College, Lookout Mt, GA
Most Recent Book Read: “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson.
Hobbies: Kayaking, reading, “Tough Mudder” endurance challenges, time with family.
Social Networking:
Twitter: @joey_b
Skype: joeybrannon
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joeyataxiomcpa
