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We have a creative persona that understands the language of business.
Kristy Clabaugh, CPA
Founding Partner
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Kristy Clabaugh is a Certified Public Accountant and has 15+ years’ experience in providing accounting, tax and advisory services to businesses and high net worth individuals. Kristy is motivated by working with clients to minimize taxes at both the state and federal levels. Kristy also has developed expertise in advising start-ups on structuring, budgeting and implementing and meeting strategic goals. Kristy serves on the executive board of directors as Treasurer for both the Georgia Production Partnership and Women in Film & Television Atlanta. She is also a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
John Thomas, CPA
Partner
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John Thomas is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Accountancy as well as a Master of Businesses administration, both earned at Mercer University. John has long served closely held corporations and high net worth individuals by providing accounting, tax, advisory and consulting services. John is driven by helping his clients implement strategies that cultivate growth in their businesses as well as building value by opening doors for their further development. John is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Katy Womack
Tax Consultant
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What is your education and experience?
– 2 BBAs from Georgia State University in Managerial Science and Accounting
– 2 years as a Staff Accountant
– History in Marketing, website design, and event planning
What is your area of expertise in accounting?
Tax and Business Planning
Where are you from originally?
Atlanta, GA
What was it about Element that made you decide it was a good fit for you?
The culture, the area (Cabbagetown), and the people – this has become my second family.
What do you do for fun, extracurricular activities?
Doing anything outdoors: playing sports, roller skating on the beltline, hiking, relaxing by a pool.
What is your hidden talent or superpower?
Client Whisperer
Matthew Clarke
Staff Accountant
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What is your education and experience?
Undergraduate Senior Accounting Major at Georgia State University
What is your area of expertise in accounting?
Assurance
Where are you from originally?
Jamaica
What was it about Element that made you decide it was a good fit for you?
The opportunity to see Element building their culture from the ground up and work along side a team of supportive people.
What do you do for fun, extracurricular activities?
For fun (When I have time) I love gaming, trying new foods, and hiking. For extracurriculars I am the president of the Beta Alpha Psi chapter on GSU’s campus.
What is your hidden talent or superpower?
If I had a power that I can think of it would be brightening the day of those around me. I like to fill the room with energy whenever possible.
Ayanna Harris
Tax Accounting Intern
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What is your education and experience?
I am currently in my final semester of undergraduate and anticipate to graduate Spring 2021 with my BBA in Accounting! I will begin my journey to pursue my Masters and CPA Fall 2021. I have experience with using software such as Ultra Tax, R-Studios, Tableau, and Excel.
What is your area of expertise in accounting?
In regards to accounting, I am currently growing my expertise in the field of Tax.
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia.
What was it about Element that made you decide it was a good fit for you?
The moment I seen the smiling faces of Karin, Kristy, and John I knew Element would be a great fit. I was also attracted by the flexibility, overall growth opportunity, and client exposure that I knew I would experience during my internship!
What do you do for fun, extracurricular activities?
For fun, I enjoy traveling or spending overall time with friends and family.
What is your hidden talent or superpower?
My superpower is the ability to adapt and pivot under any circumstances.
Noah Walsh
Staff Accountant
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What is your education and experience?
I graduated from UGA with a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting and a certificate in music business. I have had professional experience working on the tax team with a business management firm with entertainment clients, and on the production accounting team for a feature film shot in Georgia.
What is your area of expertise in accounting?
My areas of expertise are production accounting and accounting for the entertainment industry as a whole. Hoping to become an expert on the GA Film Tax Credit soon!
Where are you from originally?
Columbus, GA
What was it about Element that made you decide it was a good fit for you?
Element was an easy choice because of the blend of film and entertainment clients with cross-industry knowledge and experience on staff.
What do you do for fun, extracurricular activities?
I am a huge movie nerd, so I am watching new things constantly. I also enjoy skateboarding, hiking, going to concerts, and playing board games with friends. Hoping to do more of the latter when COVID is over.
What is your hidden talent or superpower?
Trivia! Catch me on Jeopardy sometime in the future.
Jared Whipple
Tax Accounting Intern
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What is your education and experience?
I am currently a student at Kennesaw State striving for a degree in accounting. I have experience in film industry filling multiple roles including work as a script supervisor and taping professional at a local acting studio.
What is your area of expertise in accounting?
Most of my experience is in tax accounting however I also enjoy production accounting.
Where are you from originally?
My hometown is in Fayetteville, Ga.
What was it about Element that made you decide it was a good fit for you?
As an intern Element had me directly communicating with our clients. This opportunity allowed me to see firsthand how my work will assist our client’s needs. This prospective made it easy to find fulfillment in my job and it speaks to the source of motivation Element has in its company culture. I knew Element was a good fit for me because I found it easy to feel inspired about the service I was providing.
What do you do for fun, extracurricular activities?
For extracurricular activities I enjoy going outdoors and exploring local hiking trials. With the beautiful spring weather, I look forward to a short weekend trip with my friends to the “Little Grand Canyon” on the GA/Alabama border.
What is your hidden talent or superpower?
My hidden talent is that I like to draw. I have done several portrait drawings of family friends and given them away as Christmas gifts.
Sean Suh
Sr Tax Accountant
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What is your education and experience?
I graduated with a BA/BS in accounting and have been an accountant/tax preparer for over nine years.
What is your area of expertise in accounting?
Currently, my area of expertise is in IFRS and foreign taxes.
Where are you from originally?
Seoul, South Korea
What was it about Element that made you decide it was a good fit for you?
I was won over instantly with the Elements value placed and support for continued education.
What do you do for fun, extracurricular activities?
I really enjoy learning foreign languages and have recently taken on the Russian language, Russkiy.
What is your hidden talent or superpower?
Listening! Over the years I have come to understand the immense value of being a good listener.
CPA PLUS
At ELEMENT the term client services means much more than tax return preparation and accounting services. At ELEMENT clients trust the sound technical advice and consultation that comes as a guaranteed staple in each of their engagements. Each professional staff member at ELEMENT understands that every client is unique and requires a distinctive approach to deliver the tailored services that are characteristic of their industries and differentiating circumstances.
Want to work with us?
Want to join the Element team? We’re always on the lookout for talented people. Please reach out and attach your resume and we’ll be in touch.
