Welcome to Business Innovators Magazine…Please introduce yourself and a brief thumbnail sketch of your background.
RD: Hi, I am Rick Donner CPA. I am originally from north of Pittsburgh and starting working when I was 14. I bring a strong and hard-working background to my Practice. I went to Penn State at Behrend Campus in Erie, PA and graduated with an Accounting degree and minored in Economics. I moved to SW Florida in 1987, passed the CPA exam in 1991, and opened Donner & Company CPA in 2000. I’ve always been an entrepreneur and love working with entrepreneurs, business owners, and other high-net-worth people. Because I am an entrepreneur I understand what business owners’ challenges are and the issues, we business people deal with. I don’t just count the beans – I plan how to grow businesses and minimize taxes.
BI: What would you say is the area in business that you are most passionate about and why?
RD: like working with business leaders and owners because they are entrepreneurs just like me. I enjoy structuring entities and helping people minimize taxes.
BI: How are you different than your competitors?
RD: I’ve always been an entrepreneur and love working with entrepreneurs, business owners, and other high-net-worth people. Because I am an entrepreneur I understand what business owners’ challenges are and the issues, we business people deal with.
BI: Please tell me about any recent business accomplishments that you are most proud of and why?
RD: In the past 12 months I’ve become a 2-time # 1 Amazon best-selling author. With another book that I released about six years ago, that also was a #1 best seller I am now a 3-time #1 best- selling author.
BI: What Leadership qualities in Leaders do you most admire and why?
RD: Most of the leaders I know don’t quit. We all hit roadblocks, but we have to solve those issues and move forward.
Most Leaders know how to lead and encourage their team. We have to keep our teams motivated because they are the foundation of our success. If we take care of our team, they will take care of the clients.
BI: What has been a key element of your success?
RD: Key elements to my success have been great communication skills, sticking to my strengths and hiring my weaknesses. I am a tax guy with a strong foundation in debits and credits. I can wade through a mess of paperwork and quickly assess how to attack problem situations – then – I communicate the issues to my clients on a high-level basis where they understand the concepts, and I take care of the details while keeping them informed every step of the way.
BI: What are some of business projects that you are currently working on that you are excited about and why?
RD: 2 situations I have dealt with are:
# 1. Catching up about ten years of taxes for entrepreneurs. Many people think they will get killed when they file a bunch of back taxes but with the right tax advice, many times people don’t owe what they thought they did.
#2. I just took on a large entity that has several related entities. The owner is a serial entrepreneur who has done a lot of cool stuff. I love organizing our connection and leading his team to communicate with my team.
BI: What are 1 or 2 things you would like to say to a prospective client who stumbles across this interview?
RD: If you are looking for a CPA let me assure you we are not all the same. If you are looking for a great CPA, interview several. When you find Donner & Company, you will be glad you did.
