BATSON ACCOUNTING & TAX, P.A. STAFF
 Paul O. Batson, III
President
BS – Clemson University, 1971
MBA-Clemson at Furman, 1973, Concentration in Investment Analysis
Additional Studies in Accounting – Furman University
Accounting Practitioner, State of SC
Captain, USAF, Active Duty 1974
Paul began his career as a college instructor and administrator in the 1970s. Teaching has always been a beloved pursuit for him. Since 1975 he has served as an adjunct professor in business and economics at Furman University. Over the past 30+ years, Paul has likely taught well over 5,000 students in various business courses, many of whom he can remember by name today.
Realizing his ultimate plan was to become a practicing accountant and advisor, he pursued experience “in the real world” to supplement his academic knowledge. Large company experience came early in the 1980s as a plant accountant for Lucas Industries, a British company in Greenville SC. Intense knowledge of the small business arena was gained when he became CFO of a small and growing local insurance agency. Hands-on small business experience was gained when he and a partner created and owned The Fifth String Music Store, a Greenville guitar and banjo store that was the first of its kind in the upstate. That store endures today under the same name but different ownership.
In May, 1987, Paul opened his practice with a desk, an $8,000 IBM PC, a dot matrix printer, and no clients. After the initial years of near starvation, the practice gradually thrived thanks to the confidence and trust of many good clients and friends.
For several years, Paul has been a Board Member of the Greenville Area Commission for Technical Education, Greenville Tech’s governing board. In earlier years, he was an active member of and past President of the Greenville Chapter of the National Association of Accountants, which won national awards during his leadership years.
He loves his Schnauzers, his mountain home, wildlife in general, and lives in upper floors of the office building at 20 Washington Park.
 Angela M. Gravley
Office Manager and Payroll Specialist
Associates Degree in Business, Greenville Technical College 2002
After high school graduation, Angela took jobs with American Federal Bank and World Acceptance Corporation but quickly realized she wanted more education in accounting and business. She took courses at Greenville Tech while she worked, earning her degree in 2002.
At Batson Accounting, Angela is the “heartbeat” of the office. Since joining us in 1999, she has become highly skilled in general ledger accounting, payroll services, Quickbooks operations, and she serves as our office manager.
She is frequently asked by our clients to visit their places of business to assist in record keeping and Quickbooks functions. Additionally, she assists in all phases of the data entry of business and personal tax returns.
Angela and her husband, Gary, have a 3 year old son named AJ, whom we affectionately call “Apple Juice”. Another child is on the way. They live in Piedmont with 2 chihuahuas, 1 cat and a pen full of turkeys!
 Ray Harris, CPA
Tax Manager
BBA, Accounting - The University of Georgia, 1984
MACC - The University of Georgia, 1986.
Passed the CPA exam on first attempt in November 1984.
Won three consecutive Scholar Athlete Awards from UGA while earning three letters in gymnastics.
Ray joined Ernst & Young LLP in August 1986, rising to the position of Tax Manager by 1991. Served 8 years with E&Y, working primarily in Corporate and Individual Tax Research, Real Estate taxation, Textile Manufacturing, High Net Worth Individuals and for the Entrepreneurial Services Group (E&Y’s small business service division).
He left Ernst & Young on January 2, 1995 to join Harris & Harris, P.A. He continued to gain expertise with Commercial Real Estate investors and Property Managers, Publishers, Construction, Textile manufacturers and the Professional Services industries (lawyers and architects, etc.). Further, he gained experience with High Net Worth Individuals, and built a respectable 1040 and Tax Consulting practice while dabbling in Business Valuations and Expert Witness engagements. He is also proficient in basic Estate and Retirement Planning.
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC: AICPA, SCACPA Greenville Bulldog Club UGA Alumni Association and Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce. Past board member of Greenville Jaycees and Greenville Sexual Trauma Center.
PERSONAL: Born January 22, 1962 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Married with four children, avid reader, insomniac, College football fanatic. Loves to misunderstand politics, re-learn history, swim, waterski and yell at his kids.
 Ann Wactor
Administrative Assistant
Ann began her career with BellSouth where she worked in the business offices and then eventually worked in the field installing phones and even climbing poles! After the arrival of her two children, she stopped work and spent a number of years as a home mom.
She began working for Batson Accounting part time several years ago after having worked at Greenville Spartanburg Airport. Now, she is our full time administrative assistant working with data entry of various accounting and tax projects, correspondence, filing systems and assembly of our tax returns.
Ann lives in Greer with her daughter, Rebecca, her cat “Blackie”, her bird “Harley” and two mischievous Yorkies named “Ralph” and “Chickie”. Her son Andrew also lives in Greer.
 Leslie H. Stewart
Accountant/Business Manager
Part-Time Staff at Batson Accounting January - April
B.S.B.A., Western Carolina University 1996
After graduating from WCU, Leslie took a job with Beneficial Finance Company in Greenville until she was recruited by Harris & Harris P.A. out of Spartanburg. After a few years with Harris & Harris, Leslie went to work full time for a commercial Real Estate company, Neuburger/Reid Properties, as their in house accountant/business manager.
Leslie joined Batson Accounting in the tax season of 2003 as a part time assistant. Leslie helps the team with data preparation of personal tax returns and other tasks as needed.
Leslie and her husband, Tim, live in Spartanburg with her baby, Bailey, an 8 year old Boxer and Smokey the “Fat Cat”. Leslie is very much involved in her community. She is currently Chairman of the Board for the Uptown Sertoma Club, Secretary of LSAA of Spartanburg, serves as a volunteer for Junior Achievement of Spartanburg and is also a committee chair for Retro Fest with the American Red Cross.
 Stephanie Lockwood
Accounting Assistant/Receptionist
Attended USC Upstate, College of Charleston and Greenville Technical College
As a college student, Stephanie began with us in 2004 as a part-time receptionist, but has become a quick study with accounting. After beginning USC Upstate as a communications major, she switched her major to accounting after a few months with us. She now processes a number of client general ledger files and is proficient with QuickBooks, as well.
The artful one amongst us, Stephanie is often called upon to design specialized worksheets and artwork. And it is her smiling face that most of you see when you walk in our door.
Stephanie has also been prolific at starting a young family. She and her husband, Ryan, have a son, Parker, and are expecting a new baby girl early in 2007. She lives in Greer with Ryan, Parker and her dog, “Lexie”.
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OUR STAFF
Angela, Ann and Stephanie
Ray and Paul
TAX SERVICES & ADVISORIES
Personal Tax Returns
Entity Returns
Advisory Services
ACCOUNTING & PAYROLL SERVICES
Comprehensive Small Business Services
Compiled Financial Statements – Small Businesses
Payroll Services
Quickbooks Support
PLANNING SERVICES
Business Start Ups
Entity Selection and Tax Issues
Advisory Services
Investment, Personal Planning Issues
OUR WILDLIFE
Tax Dogs
W-2, 1040 and Mr. New Bird
Owl
Trips
Mountain House
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