Drake Opens CPA Office
by January 6, 2003 12:00 am 150 views
Owner: Terry L. Drake
Address: 158 E. Sycamore,
Fayetteville 72703
Phone/Fax: (479) 582-1700/
(479) 973-4499
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Startup date: Dec. 2
E-mail:
It has been 30 years since Terry L. Drake graduated from Fayetteville High School and 22 since he completed his accounting degree at the University of Arkansas, but he recently decided it’s not too late to follow his dream of starting his own CPA firm in Fayetteville.
Drake has spent the past eight and a half years working as controller for Professional Business Systems. That was a good experience, but he wanted to try working as an independent CPA, he said.
Drake said he has always had a good aptitude for numbers and did well in math during school, so the career choice was an easy one.
“I’m a very detailed oriented and kind of a perfectionist,” Drake said, explaining that’s what makes him a good accountant.
Drake has rented a 330-SF office with a common reception area in an office building just west of Long John Silver’s in Fayetteville. He’s hoping the exposure to College Avenue will help get his firm launched.
He specializes in small business accounting and tax services, including services needed for contractors. Drake also handles personal accounting and tax services such as financial planning.
His determination to exceed his clients’ expectations is what sets Drake apart from other CPA firms, he said.
“I’ll go to whatever lengths it takes to accomplish that,” Drake said.
Drake invested some savings in office equipment and other expenses to open the office but didn’t have to take out a business loan. He expects a return on his investment within his first year of operations.