Batson Accounting & Tax 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 in Greenville, SC. Intense knowledge of the small business arena was gained when he became CFO of a small and growing local insurance agency. Paul gathered hands-on small business experience when he and a partner created and owned The Fifth String Music Store, a Greenville guitar and banjo store 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, the Commission of Higher Education, and 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 pets, his mountain home, and wildlife.
Angela M. Gravley
Accounting / Office Manager
- Associates Degree in Business, Greenville Technical College, 2002
Before joining Batson Tax & Accounting, PA, Angela's professional background included banking experience with American Federal Bank, and accounting experience with World Acceptance Corporation. In 2002, she completed her Associates Degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting from Greenville Technical College.
Since 1999, she has been an integral member of the accounting team at Batson Tax & Accounting, PA, serving in numerous roles including Office Manager, Payroll Manager, Software Manager, and Accounting Manager. She is known as the "heartbeat" of the office.
She assists clients at their business locations with accounting/recordkeeping and QuickBooks functions as a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor.
She is an E-Verify Employer Agent, Notary Public, member of SC Society of Accountants, and is always continuing her education.
Her broad-based professional background includes all aspects of office management/operations, client consulting, employee supervision, payroll, bank reconciliations, accounts payable, quarterly taxes, financial statement preparation, software management, and customer service. She also assists with all phases of data entry of corporate and personal tax returns. She is highly skilled at building trusting relationships with clients in a consulting role.
She enjoys her family including her husband, two children, pets, and "family time" outdoors. She is an avid volunteer with local children's non-profit groups.
Ray Harris
Tax Manager
- BBA, Accounting - The University of Georgia, 1984
- MACC - The University of Georgia, 1986
- Passed the CPA exam on first attempt in 1984
Ray has been a valuable employee with several large tax companies before starting with Batson Accounting and Tax in 2003. He has extensive experience with corporate and individual tax research, real estate taxation, textile manufacturing, high net worth individuals, entrepreneurial services, property managers, publishers, and professional services industries. He is proficient in basic estate and retirement planning.
Ray is a member of the Greenville Bulldog Club, UGA Alumni Association, and the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce. He lives in the Upstate with his wife, and is an avid reader and college football fanatic.
Ann Batson
Administrative Assistant
Ann began her career with BellSouth where she worked in the business offices and 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 stay at home mom.
She began working part time for Batson Accounting 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.
Tyson J. Byrd
Staff Accountant
- B.S.B.A., University of South Carolina Upstate, 2010
Prior to joining Batson Accounting & Tax, Tyson worked for a small accounting firm from 2012-2016. He has experience with preparation of personal as well as business tax returns. Tyson also has experience with client consultations, has assisted with IRS audits, and is knowledgeable in bookkeeping for small businesses.
Since joining Batson Accounting & Tax in 2017, Tyson has transitioned from part-time to full-time staff accountant. He helps with data preparation of personal and business tax returns as well as assisting with other tasks as needed.
Tyson lives in the upstate with his girlfriend Kayla, and enjoys vacations and spending time with family and friends.
