Hi Alan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Thank you so much for having me! As for my upbringing, from an early age, I witnessed a passion for taxes and small business as my parents owned a tax firm, TAC Accounting, which was named after my siblings and myself (Tammoria, Alan, and Craig Jr). So funny enough, my Dad, Craig Alan Sr., taught me how to complete tax returns while I was in High School at Klein Forest in Houston, TX.
I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and then graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, which is where my love for all things business grew. After graduating with my MBA, I earned my CPA license and formed Pruitt Prep CPA, LLC. I have been married for 11 years to a licensed professional counselor supervisor who has her own successful private practice and together we have 2 children: a 5-year-old son, and a 2-year-old daughter.
I love all things Houston sports-related, bowling, and traveling to various beaches across the globe. We have visited 19 countries and my wife and I often playfully call ourselves international beach bums as we’re always willing to try out an amazing beach!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh no, it certainly has not been a smooth road to this point! I will never forget the challenges I endured while not only getting my MBA while working a full-time job but also the struggles in going on to pass all four parts of the CPA Exam. I was a full-time senior accountant working at an oil and gas company on the north side of Houston, TX all while going to school full-time at the University of Houston – Clear Lake three days a week in pursuit of my MBA for two years straight.
This was certainly a time and dedication commitment, however, I was determined to accomplish my goal of achieving my MBA. After graduation, I knew I wanted to earn my CPA, which is a series of four tests that all have to be passed with a score of 75 or above within 18 months. However, each test usually requires at least about 125 hours of studying!!
I was making my way along this grueling path when I found out that my wife and I were expecting our first child in early June of 2017. Trying to be prepared, I scheduled my third CPA test for late May, but low and behold Alan II, our new baby boy decided to show up two weeks early, and all of a week before my scheduled test!! This was an unexpected challenge but, all I knew was how to adapt and respond.
I took my CPA exam a week after my baby boy was born and ended up scoring my very best exam score!! I have a competitive spirit as I grew up playing football in high school and college and love to compete in bowling. Due to this, I feel that any obstacle in my way is only temporary and that I’ll be able to use that challenge to help me achieve my ultimate goals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pruitt Prep CPA?
They should know that when you come to Prutt Prep CPA, you become part of a family that will always have your best interest in mind! While I was studying for my MBA, I became a true student of how businesses work and the infrastructure they run on. Furthermore, I became passionate about why some businesses thrive and others go bankrupt. Due to this knowledge, I want to truly help advise our clients about potential operational pitfalls, and craft cost-effective solutions that lead to more business profit, growth, community impact, and the creation of generational wealth for your family!
I take a proactive approach with my clients to implement tax-saving strategies and serve as an advisor and valuable resource anytime they have questions. I always adopt goal setting because I have learned that success loves speed and the sooner you can achieve your dream life, the longer you get to enjoy it!
What matters most to you? Why?
My clients are what matter most to me! I truly believe that we are put on this Earth to make it better while serving others. Obviously, I can’t do everything, but I strongly feel that I want to leave this world a better place than how I found it. In my arena, that means being able to help a client better understand their business, assist them in getting a better grasp on their finances, put their minds at ease about money, and set a workable budget to achieve their goals. To accomplish those things for each one of my clients is what matters to me.
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