Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company.
Mark Robertson: Mark Robertson CPA was formed November 1, 2002. I have two employees. We service the small to medium-sized market specializing in bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll preparation and general business consulting services.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Robertson: Owner/manager, marketer and problem solver.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Robertson: After I told my father that I was going to get a business management degree he suggested I get an accounting degree. I worked for H&R Block when I was in high school; my dad was working there as well and eventually he became the manager, so I had a taste of the tax preparation business for a long time. Accounting always seemed to satisfy the problem-solving, intellectual needs I have. Not that other aspects of business aren't important, such as marketing, which I learned was very important when I started my own business. I started my own business because I grew frustrated with listening to other's promises to me for what they were going to do about my future so I decided to take more control over it.
NNBW: What is something no one knows about your job?
Robertson: It is more about the people than the numbers. The intricacies of dealing with business and how it affects people's lives. Until I had opened my own business I didn't necessarily meet with everyone that I did work for, so getting to meet people face-to-face and helping them with their accounting and tax needs and feeling that appreciation has been very rewarding.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Robertson: At one time I may have considered a career in finance or the financial services, but these careers appeared to require more selling than I felt I had experience or talent in.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Robertson: Spending time with family, traveling, bicycling, golfing.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Robertson: Study hard, and think about a specialty. There are many different areas to apply an accounting degree and a CPA certificate to.
NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?
Robertson: To fly through the sky. I hate dealing with traffic and like to get to my final destination as soon as possible.
NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?
Robertson: Warren Buffett probably inspires me by his success but also most recently by his revelation that family and unconditional love were the most important things he learned from his parents.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Robertson: Don't worry, be happy.
NNBW: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
Robertson: Independence, and opportunities to meet other people. What I like least: Meeting time deadlines.
NNBW: What five words would most people use to describe you?
Robertson: Calm. Patient. Friendly. Humorous. Loyal.
The basics:
Name: Mark Robertson, president and owner of Mark Robertson CPA
How long have you been in this job? Almost 8 years
How long in the profession? 27 years
Education: BSBA, accounting from UNLV; MST from Golden Gate University
Best book you've read? The Bible
What's on your iPod? "Walking on the Stars," Group 1 Crew
The best movie ever? "The Great Gatsby"
Spouse, kids or pets? Susie (22 years); one son, Joey; 2 cats; 1 dog; 2 fish.
