Meet CJBS’ Newest Team Members: Rich Kane of Northshore Professional Group

In 2024, CJBS acquired the tax and accounting firm Northshore Professional Group (NSPG)–and is pleased to announce that three of the firm’s members have recently joined the CJBS team to provide support to our valued clients and partners. 

Here, we’ll introduce you to Rich Kane, who now serves as a Principal with CJBS. In this Q&A, Rich shares info about his accounting background (including his proficiency with QuickBooks Online), the transition to CJBS, and client relationship management and strategic goals for the future.. 

Q:  Rich, thanks for chatting! Will you share with us a little about your career in accounting? 

Rich: Yes, of course. I started out in accounting in the private industry in 1982 working as a bookkeeper and staff accountant. I worked my way up into controllership positions, eventually at a retail firm, then later for an accounting software firm called Real World Software. This was during the years when we had DOS-based programs. 

At the software firm, I focused on customer support, helping clients with installation and training. I always enjoyed this kind of hands-on work with people, teaching them and thereby empowering them with a better financial picture of their business. I always wanted to be a teacher, so this was very fulfilling for me. 

I took a great interest in public accounting and still wanted to work with small businesses, so I took a job with a financial and tax firm in 1999. I was working very closely with companies using QuickBooks, in the way that I had with Real World Software all those years earlier. 

All the while, I had wanted to acquire the CPA designation–but in 2004, I suffered a stroke and had a long road to recovery. Eventually in 2006, I earned the designation, and I later joined the Northshore Group in 2019. 

Since then, I’ve become very involved with Intuit. I’m on their Trainers Writers Network and a Pro Advisor. I also engrain myself in the community doing speaking events–which has enhanced my own book of business tremendously. 

Q: Tell us about why you’ve enjoyed working with Northshore Group over the years.

Rich: I always feel like my decisions have impact. I bill the clients what I think is fair. I don’t have to go through a lot of red tape. Plus, at NSPG, I’ve learned how to be myself and develop a personality, which helps me have better relationships with my clients. I help people, that’s my job. I also get a good sense of the people that I’ve helped. 

When I do tax season, it’s like running a marathon. But when you get done, and you look back and see what you’ve accomplished in 13 weeks, it’s just amazing. 

Q: What has the experience been like since NSPG has joined CJBS? 

Rich: I’ve found working for a bigger firm to be pleasantly surprising! I say it’s like a match made in heaven. CJBS was created from various small business mergers, and when you talk to the partners–they have small business in mind. They talk on my level. 

We’re also fitting in nicely with the team here. Everyone’s upbeat, and they really care about their employees.

With working with a larger team, there are more touches with each of our clients. There are additional opportunities for someone to say, “Are you aware that these people should get a retirement plan?” It’s helping us give the 1,000% that we want to do with our clients. 

Plus, all of the extra assistance we’re getting frees up more time for me to attend trade shows, get more education, and educate the staff and clients further on QuickBooks. All of this makes me excited about the road ahead. 

LINKS

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