Vickie has over 30 years of accounting and tax consulting experience serving closely-held companies, family businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals. She founded Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. in 1987. As a result of her leadership abilities and her passion for the financial field, the firm has grown to become a leader in tax and audit services.

In addition to her general tax experience, Vickie specializes in estate and gift tax planning and conducts business valuations. She is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning (CSEP) and holds a Certificate of Educational Achievement in Business Valuations by the AICPA. She is also a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) and a Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Vickie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with honors from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1979.

Vickie recently received her Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certification from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). As mentioned on their website, the AICPA’s PFS Credential is granted exclusively to CPAs who have the powerful combination of extensive tax expertise and comprehensive knowledge of financial planning. This knowledge is critical for obtaining the most valuable, objective advice possible. All areas of personal financial planning – including estate, retirement, investments and insurance – have tax implications, and PFS professionals have the experience, ethics and expertise to get the job done right.

The Qualifications for the PFS Credential are as follows:

• At least 75 hours of personal financial planning education in the last five years
• At least 3,000 hours of personal financial planning experience in the last five years (This can include up to 1,000 hours of tax compliance experience)
• Successful passing of one of the following exams:

o Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)®

o Certified Financial Planner (CFP)®

o Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

NC CPA Certificate Number 12884

Experience

• Founded Martin Starnes & Associates in 1987
• Eight years with Deloitte Haskins & Sells

Training and Education

• Bachelor of Science with Honors from Lenoir-Rhyne College – 1979
• Extensive tax experience with closely-held companies and multi-state companies
• Concentration in estate and gift tax planning and preparation, individual taxes, and non-profit organizations
• Certificate of Educational Achievement in Business Valuations by the AICPA
• Certified Specialist in Estate Planning (CSEP)®
• Certified Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)®
• Certified Global Management Accountant®

Professional and Community Activities

• PCPS Executive Committee, a division of the AICPA - Past Board Member
• United Arts Council of Catawba County, Board Member and Past Chair
• Children's Advocacy and Protection - Board Member and Past Chair for Two Terms
• Lenoir-Rhyne Business Council – Board Member and Past Chair
• Lenoir-Rhyne Board of Visitors – Board Member
• Catawba Valley Community Foundation Past Board Member
• First Citizens Bank Board of Directors – Past Board Member
• Alexander County Chamber of Commerce – Past Chair and Treasurer
• Alexander Chamber Foundation – Past Board Member and Chair
• Carolinas Leadership Program – Inaugural Class
• Unifour Leadership Class Participant
• Alexander Visions Committee
• Catawba Chamber of Commerce – Past Board Member
• Alexander County Hospice – Past Board Member and Treasurer
• Alexander Workforce Development Committee
• Women’s Leadership Chair in 2005 for Catawba Chamber of Commerce
• Rotary Club
• Habitat for Humanity Volunteer
• NCACPA and AICPA Member
• AICPA MAP Medium Group, Active Member 2006 - Present
• NCACPA - Past Board Member
• Council on Again, Alexander County

Speaking Engagements

• Estate Planning Seminar for Alexander Senior Center
• Estate and Retirement Planning for Iredell County Bar Association
• Estate Planning seminar for Caldwell County Bar Association
• Personal Financial and Retirement Planning for Clients
• Estate Planning Seminar for Clients
• Gwaltney Ruritan Club – Tax Update
• Alexander County Chamber of Commerce – Tax Update
• Taylorsville Rotary Presentation – Tax Update
• Wealth Transfer for Agriculture Farmers
• Tobacco Farmers and Growers regarding Buyout Treatment

Contact Vickie at 828-327-2727 or email info@martinstarnes.com