Interactive Demonstration
Experience the entire SurePrep tax process from start to finish.
Human Resources Generalist
Q) When did you start at SurePrep?
A) September 2021
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) I used to teach little munchkins how to figure skate. The majority of my students were under the age of eight. They were quite entertaining!
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The camaraderie of the organization and the ability to interact with all the teams in the different departments.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) Buffy the Doodle consumes my free time… She goes everywhere with us on the weekends. Yes, I am that dog mom.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) Can I just be me, without a superpower? I like me.
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) Everything Everywhere All at Once
Q) How do you define success?
A) Success equates to a million ways to bring positivity, equality, and compassion to a workplace so that everyone succeeds.
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) Authentic, considerate, empathic
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) Watching Elton John storm off the stage not once but twice because his piano wasn’t tuned right. Elton did perform but he let the audience know he was sorry it wouldn’t be his best. I guess perfectionism gets the best of us.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Oh my goodness, I would love to experience the Northern Lights. Pictures and videos just do not do it justice.
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) I would want a stimulating, lively conversation at my dinner party therefore it would have to be Barbara Walters, Princess Diana, and Betty White. Each of them in their own way were trailblazers in their respected fields.
Maksim Egorov
QA Engineer
QA Engineer
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) July 2017
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) We follow a 2 week sprint and each day is different depending on what day of the sprint we are in. We could be in Stand-up meeting; Writing automation scripts; Executing automation scripts; Reporting new defects; Verifying fixed bugs; Communication with developers and business team.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) Become a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET).
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I really liked the software product, I saw potential. The team is really good.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Growing. Quality.
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) How to build robots.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) Make everybody happy.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Feeling joy and happiness when I accomplish something.
Diva Kapoor
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) July 2019
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) Coordinate and attend internal meetings and client meetings, follow up on any action items, make sure our roadmap is up to date, and make sure projects on the roadmap are on track for targeted release dates.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I really enjoy the people I work with. Not only is everyone smart and very hardworking, they are also fun to be around!
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I was a little hesitant at first since I was applying for something that was a little out of my comfort zone. After meeting and chatting with a couple of my now team members, learning about the company, and realizing my skills translated well, I was very excited and hopeful that I would be a good fit.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Growing. Quality.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Successfully preparing and presenting a product demo to a potential client and then having them move forward with us.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) I would like to teleport so I can travel around the world more efficiently.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Success to me is finding the perfect work/life balance.
Michelle Gonzales
Director of Administration
Director of Administration
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) August 2017
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) My workday consists of checking in with my team to see if there’s any assistance needed from me in order for them to accomplish their daily tasks, checking emails, and working on ongoing projects.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) When I started with SurePrep, we had about 30 full time employees in the Irvine office. We now have over 100, which is tremendous growth in three years!
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I was looking for a change that would provide me with a challenge and opportunities for growth.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) Continue to grow a team that will contribute to the company’s success.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Autonomous. Flexible. Challenging.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) There have been many proud moments, but my proudest has to be finding the right people to have on my team. I am lucky enough to have a rock star team of individuals that help me keep my sanity!
Q) How do you define success?
A) Working hard and not giving up on what you are passionate about.
Sachin Kotekar
Customer Support Manager
Customer Support Manager
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) February 2004
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) Ensure support issues are handled with quality and in a timely manner. Oversee the support team and continually work with them to increase overall support productivity with the overall goal of increasing customer satisfaction. Assist with workforce expansion by taking initiatives to allow improved management and department productivity.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) Since the time I started at SurePrep, the number of staff has increased significantly. The Onshore Support Team used to have only 2 people and now has 15.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I was intrigued by SurePrep’s approach to employee wholeness and putting employee happiness first. Happy employees in turn provide better customer service.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Transparent. Dedicated. Adaptable.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) As the Customer Support Manager, my hope is to continue providing the best possible service to our clients.
Q) What is your favorite quote?
A) “You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life.”
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) I was offered the promotion to Customer Support Manager, and it is an honor and privilege to lead the great support team at SurePrep.
Ashley Deeter
Account Executive
Account Executive
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) November 2019
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) A typical workday is spent on the phone, giving product demos, responding to emails, and sending contracts out to clients.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) We have added new platforms to better track our sales and leads and improve our outreach.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I really liked how innovative SurePrep is.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Team Driven. Good Company Culture.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) All of the prospects I speak with are very nice and I get to learn about different processes they have. Even though I work remotely, I still talk with people all day long.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) I like to go to the gym, golf, and run.
Q) How do you define success?
A) By working hard and accomplishing your goals one step at a time. Also being happy where you are. If you are not happy, you will not be successful.
Cathy Foley
National Account Client Success Manager
National Account Client Success Manager
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) April 2017
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) Many days consist of providing onsite client training which may be 4 or 8 hours long. There are many other days when I’m providing 2-3 web-based training sessions and then there are other days spent consulting with clients on how they can use the SurePrep tools more efficiently.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) The success of the first Tax Transformation Summit would be my proudest moment at SurePrep. There were a lot of hours put in by so many; hearing clients’ positive feedback and high praise for the event was very gratifying.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) The integrity of our VP of Sales.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Energy. Growing. Integrity.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I hope to continue to consult with national accounts to make them all successful using our tools and to be able to bring them more products and services.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I had it on a poster when I was growing up; it can be as simple as you want it, but it means to make the best out of what you have.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Being happy and fulfilled.
Nazim Shaikh
Senior Technical Support Engineer
Senior Technical Support Engineer
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) February 2004
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) I help junior support engineers analyze clients’ concerns so tickets get addressed in a timely manner. If tickets need escalation to development, I take care of those tickets and reply to clients.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) The company has changed in many ways, including from tax preparation to a software and solutions provider.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Tax Season 2007. Onshore had a very successful season, with some of the greatest challenges I have faced in my life. By the end of the season, we did what we set out to do.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I was working as an intern for an Indian taxation firm. I saw an opportunity to learn US taxation and I grabbed it!
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Challenges. Focus. Integrity.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) “If you don’t find happiness, create it.” There is nothing better than being happy in this busy world.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Achieving the goals we set for ourselves is my definition of success.
Andrew Breeding
Product Owner
Product Owner
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) December 2017
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) I work together with clients and our amazing team to turn ideas into detailed plans for our developers to create.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) In the past 12+ years, the company has grown significantly both in staff and development of tax productivity solutions for the market. Even with all the growth, it is great to see that the core goal to help clients and each other has stayed consistent.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) It’s hard to pick just one. I’m very proud each time a big feature that our team has toiled over gets released, and we hear how it’s helping our clients.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I love having the freedom to problem-solve tough challenges with a well-supported environment.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Dedicated. Compassionate. Adaptable.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) Pre-cognition! You can beat any bad guy if you can see the future. Except for maybe a time traveler… Wait – can you see into the future of someone who travels back in time?
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) The friendly culture and constant lookout for innovation were very refreshing. Not to mention being involved in such an important technological industry.
Kasey Gallagher
Account Manager
Account Manager
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) January 2014
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) My workdays include supporting my clients via emails and phone calls; implementation and training for new and existing clients; offering product demos and webinars.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) The company has grown significantly in the time I have been here.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Being able to find advancement with the company. I started as a Data Entry Specialist, moved to Lead Onshore Support Team Member, and am currently a Client Success Associate.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The people that I get to work with daily. Everyone is nice and helpful.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Dedicated. Innovative. Family.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) The Power of Healing. This way I can heal the injured or broken-hearted.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Being able to provide for my family and knowing that I have accomplished all that I can today.
Octavian Tomos
Account Executive
Account Executive
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) April 2007
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) During my typical workday, I assist firms through their initial evaluation of our software and services, consult on best practices, conduct webinars and help with the onboarding of new clients.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) In the past 12+ years, the company has grown significantly both in staff and development of tax productivity solutions for the market. Even with all the growth, it is great to see that the core goal to help clients and each other has stayed consistent.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) I don’t think I can pinpoint one moment. I am proudest when I hear success stories from clients that I assisted through the implementation of our solutions. It’s very rewarding to offer services that firms will benefit from year after year.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) Relationships with people at all departments/levels. Everyone is very willing to jump in and help to create an environment that benefits our clients and coworkers.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Dynamic. Supportive. Growing.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) My hope is to continue growing and learning in this ever changing technological landscape so I can provide the best service possible to our clients.
Q) How do you define success?
A) To me, success is creating a solid work/life balance. Success is when I achieve work goals that I set for myself while at the same time being the best husband and parent I can be.
Darren Ohara
Salesforce Administrator
Salesforce Administrator
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) January 2015
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) My typical workday includes following up with clients, answering questions, providing support, and any additional assistance they might need. In addition, I work with new and existing clients on implementation and training. I also work on internal projects and help to administer our CRM.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) Since the time I started, the number of year-round full time staff has increased significantly. We have also increased the size of many different departments to support our growing client base and our software.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I hope to continue to grow into my role and provide excellent customer service to our clients as our products and services we offer grow. I also am continuing to learn more about our CRM software so I can continue to help my team work more efficiently.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I work on an amazing team. Everyone is supportive and always willing to provide assistance, answer questions, or even jump on calls.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Timesaving. Organization. Standardization.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) Teleportation, to eliminate 15 hour flights and jet lag.
Q) How do you define success?
A) At the end of the day, knowing that I worked hard and did my best to support my clients and provide for my family and friends.
Doug Shawver
Business Development Representative
Business Development Representative
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) June 2016
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) Answering emails, phone calls, live chats, and troubleshooting any issue that is brought to my attention.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) Hearing what a great workplace SurePrep is!
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I hope to grow with the company.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) Everyone is so hopeful, and everyone always has a smile on their face.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Great. Amazing. Outstanding.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) To fly, so I would not have to sit in traffic.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Knowing at the end of the day that I did everything I can to make a difference.
Tal Bjoraker
Lead UX/UI Designer
Lead UX/UI Designer
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) November 2018
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I would like to grow the design team and eventually have a full design department at SurePrep.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I wanted to transition from the design agency world to the software industry.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) The company has grown rapidly since I joined. It is headed in a great direction.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) Laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Everyone trusts in everyone’s abilities to get work completed with both efficiency and high quality.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Family. Trust.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) Teleportation, so I could be anywhere in the world that I want instantly.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Making positive and balanced progress not only professionally, but also spiritually and in your relationships.
Annalise Hurst
Product Owner
Product Owner
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) November 2018
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) I get into work and go through all of my emails. I attend standup and get the lay of the land for how the day is going to go. There are usually a couple of meetings I participate in to gather requirements or build the workflows for new features. I’ll answer questions from our Quality Assurance team about the features that are in development to make sure they are on track. After some more emails, more meetings, and more questions, I’ll head off for the day. Sometimes we have morning or evening calls to coordinate with our offshore team.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I could see myself growing with the company, learning a lot, and getting to play a big role in creating great features.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) SurePrep has been growing a lot and our team has gotten quite a bit bigger. It’s nice to be able to take on larger challenges!
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) My proudest moment at SurePrep has been seeing a feature I worked on become fully created for the first time, since it was one of the first features I got to lead and it has provided a lot of benefit to our clients.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Enthusiastic. Dedicated.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) Shapeshifting, because you get to have the abilities of whatever form you take.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by your actions.
Jerica Hernandez
National Account Success Manager
National Account Success Manager
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) April 2017
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) My workdays include supporting my clients via emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; implementation and training for new and existing clients; offering product demos and webinars.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) Having worked at a firm that was using 1040SCAN, SPbinder and TaxCaddy, I already knew what great products the company had. When TaxCaddy was released, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. TaxCaddy changed the way my work was being done at my firm, and I knew it was going to continue to become better and better each year. I wanted to be part of something amazing!
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) The company has made significant advancements with TaxCaddy, making it a product that is gaining quite a bit of attention in the marketplace. Our company size has increased and continues to grow all the time.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The people, both internally and externally. Getting to work with such great firms and amazing coworkers makes it easy to come to work each day.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Time-saving. Necessary.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) The power to see the future. I would use it to ensure my family is always safe and sound and help those that need it whenever possible.
Q) How do you define success?
A) I would say if you are doing what you love and able to provide for yourself and your family, then you are successfully navigating this crazy world.
Alelie Arvizo
Quality Assurance Lead - TaxCaddy
Quality Assurance Lead - TaxCaddy
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) August 2018
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) I lead a team of test engineers working to ensure the quality of TaxCaddy. Activities include planning test strategy; designing, creating and executing test cases, and reviewing and reporting results of software quality testing.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) I implemented QA processes that improved the efficiency and transparency of the QA team.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) The company is growing and has implemented new processes to ensure productive collaboration between the teams.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Family. Quality. Respectful.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I want to encourage the QA team to continuously innovate, as well as set quality standards for the team in new testing technologies and methods to ensure quality improvements.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) I want to be able to fly and be invincible!
Q) How do you define success?
A) Self satisfaction from knowing that I did the best that I am capable of in my work and in my life.
Matt Rodriguez
Business Development Representative
Business Development Representative
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) October 2017
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) First thing we do is check all the emails that have come in and address them. We are taking live chats and calls throughout the day. When there are no chats or calls coming in, we are testing and learning new ways to improve the SurePrep software.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Every time I help a client resolve their issue is a proud moment for me. I enjoy seeing clients happy with our products.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Growth. Booming. Fast-Developing.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I hope to grow as the company grows. I hope to help in any way possible to make sure the client has the best experience when using our software.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) I would like to fly. I don’t like flying on a plane, so if I could fly, I wouldn’t have to worry about being on one! I could go wherever I would like to go in the world whenever I want.
Q) What book(s) are you currently reading?
A) “The Yankee Years” by Joe Torre
Q) How do you define success?
A) I evaluate success based not only on my work but the work of my team. In order for me to be considered successful, the team needs to achieve both our individual and our team goals.
Tin Le
QA Engineer
QA Engineer
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) August 2019
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) Primarily coordinate with other QA members to write and execute test cases. Work with Developers and Business Analysts to maintain old and new functionalities.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I was just another individual exploring different careers and found a place with huge potential to grow. I wanted to be part of that growth.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) It’s difficult to pick one. I always feel accomplished and proud whenever we receive feedback for the initiatives our team tested. It’s the fruit of our collaborative efforts.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) SurePrep’s work culture is one of the best I’ve seen. From the transparency to involvement and inclusion, it makes me feel like an important asset to the company with every action I perform.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words:
A) Innovative. Transparent. Family.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) Precognition. I think this is a psychic ability that not only provides wisdom, but also enables one to act in such a way that shapes his/her own future.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.” – Bruce Lee
Lindsay Whittaker
Account Manager
Account Manager
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) February 2021
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) A typical workday includes answering client emails and phone calls, teaching clients about how to maximize the products they have purchased and discussing new products that would benefit them.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I love the culture here. It is very team oriented. All of the people have been incredibly warm and welcoming.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words.
A) Innovative. Welcoming. Trustworthy.
Q) How do you define success?
A) I define success as the feeling of accomplishment when I’ve achieved my goals. In this role, success happens when my clients succeed.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) One of my proudest moments was helping a client that was feeling uncomfortable with the products they had purchased. By teaching them and showing them how to use the product, the client was able to be successful with the product.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) I would fly. I’m super impatient in traffic and would love to be able to fly from one destination to another.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I would love to grow in my position and eventually join the National Accounts Team.
Jonathan Schenk
Senior Instructional Designer
Senior Instructional Designer
Q) When did you join the SurePrep Team?
A) November 30, 2020
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) Writing or revising scripts, editing video, recording audio, developing interactions/graphics/content for online courses, and exploring innovative approaches to instructional design.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The fact that everyone gets a voice when it comes to making suggestions for improvements, new and innovative strategies, etc. It’s a very level playing field in that respect.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words.
A) Friendly, Evolving, Excellent
Q) How do you define success?
A) Learning from failure.
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) When I realized what an impact our team was making during Transform 2021. We had so many clients interested in getting started with SurePrep Academy, great feedback for the content that was created, and even sales opportunities by getting clients to take a look at the TaxCaddy training content and consider using that product.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
A) The ability to instantly and fully understand anyone else’s perspective because I feel like a lot of time and energy can be saved, and I’d understand what truly motivates and influences the other person.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I’m hoping we can create content that is second to none in this industry.
Leah Slaughter
Account Manager
Account Manager
Q) Briefly describe a typical workday.
A) A typical workday will find me calling and emailing firms to check in or assist them with any questions they have. I also frequently provide product demos for additional software or services that firms are interested in.
Q) When did you start at SurePrep?
A) July 13, 2020
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) I was a raft guide for a summer! It was a fun job, where I got to tell jokes and be outdoors all day… it just wasn’t quite as fulfilling financially. We called it poverty with a view! XD
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) When I was invited to present at the 2020 Virtual Transform user conference. I was still relatively new with SurePrep, so this was probably more of a testament to the training that I received.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) It’s a small enough company to still be flexible and adapt, but large enough to have a great structure and management team in place already.
Q) How has the company changed since you came on board?
A) The biggest change is probably the growth. As SurePrep has become more widely used, our teams have grown significantly. It’s always exciting to see new faces at our weekly meetings!
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I love working with my team. Everyone at SurePrep is friendly and helpful, and a joy to work with! 🙂
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words.
A) Innovative, Streamlined, Helpful
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I would love to continue to have so many new firms signing up and seeing the benefits of using our software.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) Living in Colorado, I try to spend as much time as I can outdoors. Winters will find me snowboarding, and summers I fill with camping, rafting and anything else I can find that gets me into the mountains!
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) I would love to be able to fly, so that I can go anywhere anytime I want!
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” Oscar Wilde
Q) What is your favorite movie?
A) Howl’s Moving Castle
Q) What book(s) are you currently reading?
A) Ringworld series by Larry Niven
Q) How do you define success?
A) To me success is finding happiness and contentment where I am and in what I choose to do in my life.
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) I’ve always wanted to learn how to fly an airplane.
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) Independent, Determined, Adventurous
Q) What inspires you?
A) Travel, art, experiencing new things and places.
Q) Fill in the blank: I once met _______.
A) A llama
Q) What is something most people don’t know about you?
A) I was loosely named after Princess Leia
Q) What kind of music is on your playlist?
A) Mostly alternative rock and bluegrass.
Q) What are your three favorite bands?
A) String Cheese Incident
Lake Street Dive
Wild Child
Q) What are your three favorite songs?
A) Mr. Tambourine Man
Me and Bobby McGee
Over the Rainbow
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) The first concert I saw in Colorado was the Avett Brothers at Red Rocks Amphitheater. That view of the city will take your breath away!
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) Tomatoes
Q) Where is the best place you’ve traveled?
A) Key West
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Prague
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) Will Farrell
Joyce Cole
Hunter S Thompson
Naomi Dentz
Client Success Associate
Client Success Associate
Q) What was the most interesting job you had?
A) Most unusual and interesting job would be an intern for Forensic Odontology & Human Identification Department.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I have experience in teaching software to accounting firms, so when I learned about their product I was immediately intrigued.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I can’t pick just one so… My team, my VP, the opportunities to travel, and all the support we receive.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) I spend time with my boyfriend playing beach volleyball, and with our friends going to see shows. I also love to travel, so I will try to fly and visit friends and family as much as life allows.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) TELEPORT! No doubt about it.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.
Q) What is something most people don’t know about you?
A) I have my masters in Forensic Odontology & Human Identification.
Q) What kind of music is on your playlist?
A) EDM, a little hard rock, a little bit of country, and a little bit of 90s alternative.
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) My fanny pack.
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) 1. Bill Bass. 2. Anna Kendrick. 3. Spider-man.
Sachin Ghume
Customer Support Manager
Customer Support Manager
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) SurePrep management always strives to deliver the best, continuous efforts to improve technology, personal attention to the employees, open door policy and plenty of room to make a difference.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The Team, which is experienced and understanding. The Management, who listens to you. And job satisfaction, as you always have different issues to handle with the growing technology.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) I would like to have the super power to Fly, as I spend nearly 3 hours a day to come to office and go back home.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) “Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your Customers.” A happy employee is more productive and efficient.
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) Family.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Dubai, Kashmir, North Carolina
Vincent Reid
Recruiter
Recruiter
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) I worked in Security with Disneyland, and for a time, I was working overnight shifts. It was always interesting walking the parks at 2:00am, when the only people there were a few engineers and some ducks. The park looks so much larger when the walkways are all empty!
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) Initially it was the recruiter who hired me! Her name was Adrianne and she was so kind and fun to talk with–I even model quite a bit of my own style to how wonderfully she treated me when I was first entering the company!
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) My proudest moments are always when a candidate that I helped get employed with us reaches out to me and says they’re really enjoying the job and people here!
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) I enjoy indulging in my numerous hobbies, which include playing Dungeons & Dragons, video games, and watching anime. I also love to go camping, and cook new/exciting meals!
Q) Fill in the blank: I once met ________.
A) Skrillex at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) “You should enjoy the little detours to the fullest. Because that’s where you’ll find things more important than what you want.” -Ging Freecss
Q) What is your favorite movie?
A) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Q) How do you define success?
A) Being able to live comfortably, support my loved ones, and have freedom in my life!
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) I would love to learn how to animate properly.
Q) What kind of music is on your playlist?
A) I listen mostly to podcasts and Original Sound Tracks from my favorite shows/movies
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) The entire cast of Critical Role
Brandee Marvin
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalist
Q) When did you start at SurePrep?
A) September 2021
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) I used to teach little munchkins how to figure skate. The majority of my students were under the age of eight. They were quite entertaining!
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The camaraderie of the organization and the ability to interact with all the teams in the different departments.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) Buffy the Doodle consumes my free time… She goes everywhere with us on the weekends. Yes, I am that dog mom.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) Can I just be me, without a superpower? I like me.
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) Everything Everywhere All at Once
Q) How do you define success?
A) Success equates to a million ways to bring positivity, equality, and compassion to a workplace so that everyone succeeds.
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) Authentic, considerate, empathic
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) Watching Elton John storm off the stage not once but twice because his piano wasn’t tuned right. Elton did perform but he let the audience know he was sorry it wouldn’t be his best. I guess perfectionism gets the best of us.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Oh my goodness, I would love to experience the Northern Lights. Pictures and videos just do not do it justice.
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) I would want a stimulating, lively conversation at my dinner party therefore it would have to be Barbara Walters, Princess Diana, and Betty White. Each of them in their own way were trailblazers in their respected fields.
Ryan Whittaker
Senior Data Scientist
Senior Data Scientist
Q) When did you start at SurePrep?
A) June 2021
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) I think my proudest moment at SurePrep was when I received my offer to work full time. Not only was it tangible validation of my hard work the year and a half prior but more importantly it marked a new steppingstone in my life and after many years of 15-hour days between school and work it felt as if I had finally made it through the struggle.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) My favorite thing about working here, besides my great managers and teammates of course, is the welcoming nature of everyone in the company. From new hires all the way up to the C Suite, I have had nothing but positive experiences when we’ve met in person at events like Transform and NSM which are an absolute blast. If you will pardon the cliché, those experiences really made SurePrep feel like a family.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words.
A) Tax. Automation. Software.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) In my free time, I love playing weekend warrior with my wife and the kids. Recently it has been a combination of skiing and desert season, but in the summers, we love to go camping at the beach.
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) From a purely academic standpoint, I wish I had the bandwidth to pursue more of the electrical engineering side of my degree as it pertains to computer hardware fabrication. Chip manufacturing and similar nano technology is extremely fascinating, but alas I chose the software side of Computer Engineering because that is my original passion.
Q) Who inspires you?
A) My great grandmother, Violet Bower, was an absolute saint of a person and I doubt I will ever meet anyone as kind or as caring as she was all 104 years of her life. She is truly inspiring.
Q) What is something most people don’t know about you?
A) We had a pet pig for a brief period named Hamlet when I was a toddler.
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) The most memorable experience was when a large group of my friends and I went up to LA to see Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) The Wall when it made a comeback tour after 40 years. Not only was it an audio and visual spectacle rivaled by few artists, but it was a sort of a bucket list show as we never thought it would be possible to see a live performance retired originally in 1981 as we were not even born the last time it toured.
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) As a guy who spends much of his life working with computers, I would have to think my life would be pretty bland without one.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) I have never left the continent so most of the world is on my bucket list. If I had to narrow it down, I would guess my first trip will likely be either a Mediterranean based tour of the European continent or a relaxing stint somewhere in the Asian Pacific Islands.
Morgan Goetz
Client Success Associate
Client Success Associate
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) When I was in college, I worked at a day camp for teens with special needs. Every day was different and very interesting!
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) It’s always a proud moment for me, when clients start to really “get it” with our software. A client who was going from a 100% paperless process to implementing SurePrep emailed me that the training was starting to really click, and I felt very proud of that.
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) I come from a tax prep background, and I really think OCR is the future of this industry. I’m very passionate about moving away from the overwhelming busy season hours and helping people STAY in accounting if they like the work. SurePrep helps with that in a big way!
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I love my team and the flexibility of my schedule.
Q) Describe SurePrep in three words.
A) innovative, supportive, growing
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I would love to see more of our tax process solutions expand further into the business return space.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) Currently, I’m planning my wedding and trying to make my fiancé’s life easier because he is still a CPA doing busy season! I also really love to read, and I’m part of 2 book clubs.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) Definitely teleportation. I’d love to be able to travel on a whim for free. I’d do a lot of day trips and still be able to teleport myself home to sleep in my own bed every night.
Laura Travis
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) During college, I worked as a caregiver for adults with disabilities. Very interesting life experiences!
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) Working alongside so many talented and kind people. Coming to work is truly a pleasure each day.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) Spending time with loved ones whenever possible, meditating at the beach, nature walks and hiking, dining out, cooking at home, attending concerts and festivals and occasional cat naps with my two cats.
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) Time travel. Mainly out of curiosity, so I could experience what the history books left out and see what the planet looked like way back when. And of course, seeing the future sounds cool too.
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) Avatar: The Way of Water. I liked it so much I saw it twice in one weekend!
Q) How do you define success?
A) Did we do/solve what we intended to? Did our team enjoy the experience along the way? Did stakeholders respond positively? If yes to all, that is a great start.
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) Predict the winning numbers on the next big jackpot.
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) Optimistic. Dedicated. Genuine.
Q) Who inspires you?
A) Oprah, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga, Simon Sinek, Bob Dylan, Thich Nhat Hanh… and so many more.
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) I don’t know what I would do without my iPhone. Even a day without it seems really uncomfortable!
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, going on a Caribbean cruise and seeing Japan’s finest sushi and beaches.
Joel Davis
National Account Success Manager
National Account Success Manager
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) I worked at a Vet Clinic early on in college; so much fun working with pets!!
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Hearing positive feedback from customers following training! Love to see clients succeed!
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) Innovation and forward thought of the company and products! There is truly nothing like SurePrep on the market!
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The people!!! Not only does SurePrep have amazing products, but the people that work for SurePrep are truly phenomenal.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) I would love to continue to assist SurePrep in continuing to transform the accounting industry, helping firms become successful and build efficiency using our awesome products! I believe the exciting innovation we are bringing to the industry will revolutionize the way many firms look at busy season. I am excited to see what is to come!
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) I love to travel, going to a new city to experience new foods and cultures!!
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) The superpower that I would pick would be the ability to teleport. So I could easily travel and see all of the places on my bucket list and be back home in bed after a day full of adventure.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) Every time you state what you want or believe, you’re the first to hear it. It’s a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey, it is a reminder to push myself and constantly challenge the impossible! Focusing on what can be done instead of what can not.
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) The year is early, I have not watched a movie yet this year but really looking forward to seeing what will come out this year.
Q) What show(s) are you currently watching?
A) I am currently watching Your Honor on Showtime, that has been my most recent binge.
Q) How do you define success?
A) I define success, as exceeded the goals and outcomes I set for myself. I think the foundation of true success is built upon setting realistic goals that accurately define what a successful outcome would look like.
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) One thing I would love to learn to do, would be speak another language. I studied Spanish growing up, but over time my skills are pretty rusty.
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) 1) Positive 2) Loyal 3) Diligent
Q) Who inspires you?
A) My husband, family and friends inspire me every single day!
Q) Fill in the blank: I once met _______.
A) I am not sure on this one
Q) What is something most people don’t know about you?
A) I am very creative, I love to make or build things.
Q) What kind of music is on your playlist?
A) I have such a wide spectrum of music on my playlist from R&B to Country to 90s Hits. I absolutely love music!!
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) This is a hard question; I would have to say Jay-z and Coldplay NYE at the Barclays Center in New York in 2012. Awesome way to bring in the new year!
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) I would say the one thing that I couldn’t live without would probably be my cell phone, it keeps me connected to the people I love.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Tokyo, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, France, and the list continues to grow every day.
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) This is a really hard question, there are lots of people I would love to invite to a fantasy dinner party, but I would say the first person I would invite would definitely be my late mother.
Joe Patchett
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) The Innovation team is a great group of people. We have a good culture of learning, growing and cooperation.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) I enjoy cooking, hiking, going to the gym, playing board games, and tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) Top Gun: Maverick
Q) How do you define success?
A) To be a part of positive change or making positive change in my life. Success is a journey not necessarily a destination
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) Resourceful. Thoughtful. Driven.
Q) Fill in the blank: I once met _______.
A) I once met the entire Innovation team at Transform. It was fun to meet everyone!
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) I attended a solo performance done with a Stradivarius violin.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) South France, Taiwan, Scotland
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) Marcus Cicero, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ryan Reynolds
Sarah Donawerth
Website Coordinator
Website Coordinator
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Whenever we launch a new site, there’s a moment where you’ve sort of forgot the awe of the project, but you pull up the website for something completely unrelated and you have a moment where you think “I made this.” That is my favorite feeling.
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) I love when a Teams thread (instant chat) devolves into memes. It is so entertaining to watch a good meme battle celebrating the latest marketing launch.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) I absolutely love my church Sunday School class of 5 & 6 year olds. It’s like having a thousand nieces and nephews every day. I am also an amateur artist and I love doing all things creative. My house is a constant pile of works in progress!
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Q) What show(s) are you currently watching?
A) Puppet History, The Mandalorian
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) I want to learn to juggle and ride a unicycle at the same time. No reason…
Q) Fill in the blank: I once met _______.
A) I once met Kenny Ortega. I recognized him but couldn’t think of why. I sold him $32 in jellybeans when I worked at a candy shop and asked him if he was a teacher at my old high school. He is the director of the High School Musical series, definitely not a high school chem teacher, so I have a feeling I will not be cast in the reboot.
Q) What is something most people don’t know about you?
A) I gave a TEDx talk and am on their YouTube channel.
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) I would love to attend the Sheep-to-Sweater festival in Scotland.
John Scales
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Q) Before joining SurePrep, what was the most unusual or interesting job you held?
A) Programming PLCs to automate industrial processes. (I did some work on F-35 test equipment, dredge controls, a Disney ride before it came out, and other things).
Q) What is one of your proudest moments at SurePrep?
A) Fixing so many bugs in a wizard 😂
Q) What drew you to SurePrep initially?
A) Well it’s a backend/API role at a tax company so I can assume some job security and be compensated well
Q) What is one of your favorite things about working here?
A) Coworkers are nice, smart people, and there’s a fantastic level of autonomy that works well for me.
Q) What do you hope to accomplish/see happen in your future at SurePrep?
A) Move up the ladder and see our Review Wizard 2.0 finally being used.
Q) What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
A) Play video games, workout, and hike, mostly!
Q) If you could pick one superpower, what would it be & why?
A) If I could spawn things in, I can spawn in a little private island and some food lol, that would be pretty neat.
Q) What is your favorite quote and why?
A) No quotes really come to mind but I do like “Hakuna matata” as a saying—and the song of course.
Q) What was the best movie you watched this year?
A) It was actually last year, but definitely Maverick!
Q) What show(s) are you currently watching?
A) None at the moment, but definitely recommend Disenchantment.
Q) How do you define success?
A) Success IMO is a measure of your happiness and ability to take care of yourself and your loved ones. It’s not the same for everyone.
Q) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A) Sailing or flying!
Q) What three words/traits define you?
A) Self-starter, analytical, and optimistic, probably.
Q) Who inspires you?
A) Elo Mah, jk, probably my Mom and Bill Gates seems like a cool guy with his philanthropy and background.
Q) Fill in the blank: I once met _______.
A) Never really “met” anyone famous, I’ve just been in the presence of many actors when I was an extra.
Q) What is something most people don’t know about you?
A) Probably that I was an extra or that I’m part Hopi.
Q) What kind of music is on your playlist?
A) All of them! Hip-Hop, Country, DnB, Raggae, Pop, Metal, Rock, Oldies, Classical, Blues, Dubstep, you name it; I probably have some.
Q) What was the most memorable concert you ever attended?
A) Never been to a concert actually
Q) What is one thing you can’t live without?
A) I’m gonna go with the main squeeze caffeine
Q) What destinations are on your bucket list?
A) Iceland, Ireland, Mexico
Q) What three people, living or dead, would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
A) Jesus, Bill Gates, Jay Leno?