CPA, Bookkeeping, And Tax Services With A Hometown View

By Kaaren Valenta

John M. Tolson can look out the window of his office at 20 Church Hill Road and see the window of his son’s classroom at Hawley School.

For a certified public accountant (CPA) who spent his much of his career commuting to work in Manhattan, Westchester County, and lower Fairfield County, the view from his office window is especially meaningful. It reflects his desire to be a part of the business community in the town where he and his wife, Laura, are raising their three children.

“We moved to Newtown six years ago and love the town,” Mr Tolson said. “We live on Grand Place and didn’t look anywhere besides the heart of the town when we decided to open an office here.”

The Tolsons found an office for their two related businesses, John C. Tolson, CPA, and Newtown Bookkeeping and Tax Services, LLC, last year on the second floor of the small shopping center at the corner of Church Hill Road and Queen Street.  The two businesses offer a wide range of services, from tax planning and strategy for small businesses to bookkeeping and tax preparation for businesses and individuals who don’t require the services of a CPA. Laura Tolson, who also works part-time as a medical assistant for Dr Joel Segalman, operates the bookkeeping business.

 “I work with a lot of small businesses, and some of them needed those [bookkeeping] services,” Mr Tolson explained. “They don’t need to use a CPA for everything. I help them plan for taxes and build their wealth so they can focus on their businesses and save time to spend with their families.”

Family is important to the Tolsons, who met while they were both students at Ohio State University. Married 21 years, they have three children: Alicia, 15, who is a sophomore at Newtown High School; Melissa, 12, a seventh grader at the middle school; and John Jr, 9, who is in fourth grade at Hawley School.

They lived on Long Island for 14 years while Mr Tolson worked in Manhattan for firms like Pannell, Kev & Forester, CPAs.  Six years ago, while visiting friends in Newtown, the Tolsons fell in love with the community and decided to buy a home here. Prior to opening his own business, Mr Tolson worked for Swiss Re, a reinsurance company in Westchester County.

“I’ve always had my own business on the side,” Mr Tolson said. “I always had the desire to have my own [full-time] business. Finally I reached an age where I decided I had to do it now, or never do it.”

As part of his CPA services, Mr Tolson utilizes the most modern business technology available, helping to save money for his clients.

“People pay extra money to go to a CPA,” he said. “A good CPA should make that money, and more, back for them. I want to help them make their businesses operate more efficiently, and save them time for the things that matter.”

A member of the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA), Mr Tolson also holds licenses in the areas of life insurance, mutual funds, and mortgages. He offers business planning and advisory services, business start-up consulting, tax advice and return preparation, and other services, enabling him to help his clients in a variety of ways.   He also has joined the Newtown Chamber of Commerce.

“We want to be a part of the community,” he said. “One of the most important things about being successful is in giving back to the community where you live and work.”

  John M. Tolson, CPA, and Newtown Bookkeeping and Tax Services, LLC, can be reached at 270-7766.