Partner
Phone 409-838-1605, Ext. 118
Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Lamar University in 1991. While at Lamar, he was active in both Beta Alpha Psi honorary accounting organization and the Accounting Society. He was honored as a member of the Blue Key Honor Society for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service, and was recognized by the University as an Outstanding Member of the Graduating Class.
During his last semester at Lamar, Michael worked as an intern at Wathen, DeShong assisting with tax returns and general accounting. Upon graduation, Michael was hired full time by the firm and has been a Partner in the firm since 2003. He has extensive experience in individual and corporate taxation (including multi-state taxation), estate and trust taxation, not-for-profit accounting and taxation, financial statement preparation, as well as general accounting, client services and consulting. In addition, he occasionally assists clients with reviewing and strengthening internal controls, fraud risk analysis, and fraud examinations. Michael earned his CPA license in 1992. Although he has a passion for stopping fraud, in 2019, after 17 years as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Michael officially switched to CFE-Retired status. At the same time, he also retired from being Certified in Financial Forensics after holding that credential for 10 years.
Michael is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Texas Society of CPAs, and a retired member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. In addition, he volunteers his time as needed to assist with the tax and accounting needs of a local Christian radio station, KLBT, 88.1 FM, and also serves as a Deacon at Beaumont Bible Church.
Previously, Michael served on the Executive Committee of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, where he served as a Director and as the Chairman of the Fiscal Affairs Committee. He also chaired the Chamber’s ad hoc committee on Accreditation in 2012-2013, which resulted in the Chamber being recognized for the first time as a 5-Star Chamber, one of only about 75 in the nation at the time. He participated in the Chamber’s Leadership Beaumont program, served as a Facilitator for the program, and was on the Leadership Beaumont Steering Committee, as well as the board of the Beaumont Chamber Foundation.
Michael moved to Beaumont when he was just 1 years old and has lived here ever since. After a brief career in local law enforcement, Michael completed his accounting degree and started his career at Wathen, DeShong. In 1992, he married the love of his life, Cyndy. Their beautiful daughter, Tabitha, attends Stephen F Austin University. Michael spends all of his time outside of work with family or at church. He enjoys reading about investing and business in general, and while he has been certified for over 30 years, he never seems to find time for scuba diving.
Current firm areas of responsibility include:
- Individual, corporate, partnership, and estate and trust taxation
- Multistate taxation
- Not-for-profit taxation and accounting
- Financial statement reviews and compilations
- General accounting assistance, client services, and consulting
