Carpenter and Langford - CPA Firm - Tax Services, Business Consulting, Accounting

About Us

Carpenter and Langford, P.C. was established in 1991 by Jean Carpenter-Backus, CPA and Joe Langford, CPA with the philosophy of providing the quality of services demanded of national firms with the close client relationship expected at a local firm. Since its establishment, the firm has experienced constant growth and in 1999 added an additional partner, James T. Ragland, CPA. Another partner, Kevin Lenahan, CPA, was added at the end of 2009 when Jean decided to significantly shift the emphasis of her work.

In addition to its partners, the firm also utilizes the talents of its professional and paraprofessional staff, many of whom have years of experience. The firm continues to be a leader at providing tax planning and preparation services to both individuals and corporations. In addition to expert tax services, the firm also provides business consulting services, bookkeeping services, audit, compilation, and IRS representation.

Carpenter and Langford, P.C., believes that it´s ultimate success is a product of the strong relationships that it builds with it´s clients. A major focus of the firm is maintaining quality, long lasting relationships with both clients and staff. The firm emphasizes effective communication and quality work that is reflected in it´s high standards.

Principals

Joe D. Langford, CPA
Managing Shareholder
Joe graduated from Texas A&M in 1985 with a BBA in accounting and began his career. Before founding Carpenter & Langford, PC, he gained experience with Gibson, Johnson & Co. and then John Winn and Associates. Joe enjoys working with businesses to help them manage and control all their financial-related activities. He is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); Member, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA); Member and Austin Chapter of TSCPA. He is married and has a daughter and a son.
Kevin Lenahan, CPA
Shareholder
Kevin has over 25 years of experience in tax and accounting services. After graduating from the University of Texas in 1984 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Kevin joined the Houston accounting firm of Tyler, Ellis & Tufley. In 1989, Kevin returned to Austin to work in Bob Finley’s CPA practice, where he remained for 16 years. Kevin joined Carpenter & Langford, PCin January of 2006 and became an owner in December 2009. He is married with one daughter.
James T. Ragland, CPA
Shareholder
Jim’s 21 + years of experience as a tax expert are invaluable to our firm and our clients. He received a BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas at San Antonio. He was employed by Johnson & Co. (later Johnson Smith & Co) from 1987 to 1996 when he joined Carpenter & Langford. Jim became a shareholder in Carpenter & Langford, PC in 1999. He is a member of the Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA).
Jean Carpenter, CPA
Shareholder
Jean received her CPA license in 1983, CFP license in 1993 and is a founding principal of Carpenter & Langford, PC. Jean loves to make the mysterious world of money understandable, fun & easy. She is a financial adviser and business consultant with thirty years of experience. She manages a blog called The Naked Accountant that addresses financial areas including how to prevent embezzlement. Jean is a passionate and witty public speaker and has written a book called, "Who’s Standing on Your Financial Hose", published by Wizard Academy Press.

Staff

Curtis Bulgerin, CPA
Curtis graduated from Texas Tech University with a BBA in accounting in 1980. He began his career with Harold Simpson & Company in 1981 and was a Tax Manager for KPMG Peat Marwick (now KPMG) from 1986 to 1988. At that time he opened his own public accounting practice in Round Rock. Deciding he was ready for something different he joined Carpenter & Langford, PC in 2001. Already a seasoned tax accountant, Curtis adds much value to our firm as a manager. He is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Jenna Plyler, CPA
Jenna holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arkansas State University and a Masters of Accounting from Baylor University. She received her CPA license in 2000. She came to us from KPMG, a big-four accounting firm, where she worked for three years. While at KPMG, she increased her tax knowledge and ability to problem-solve. She joined our firm in September 2001. Jenna is organized and detail oriented. She works hard for the benefit of her clients. In the years with our firm, Jenna has become an integral part of our firm.
Meghen Hiller, CPA
Meghen graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. After a few years working in the private sector in this field, she decided to switch gears and began her accounting career by opening her own boutique bookkeeping firm, while completing coursework towards her accounting degree. She came to Carpenter & Langford, PC in 2007 to further develop her understanding of taxation and public accounting. She obtained her CPA license in early 2009 and is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She brings to our firm a mix of business, bookkeeping, and tax knowledge that she uses to assist a variety of clients. She currently lives in North Austin with her husband and young son.
Ira Siegel, CPA
Ira graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Queens College in 1977. He began his career with a regional CPA firm in New York and has both national CPA firm and business management experience. He was with a local tax practice in California from 1984 to 2004 and was a tax manager at Powell, Ebert & Smolik in Austin from 2004 until he joined Carpenter and Langford, PC in 2008. Ira has experience providing income and estate tax planning and consulting services for individuals and small businesses. He is involved with numerous professional and social organizations in the local business community.
Brett Laine, CPA
Brett received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in 1998 and a Masters of Business Administration in 2000. After graduation, Brett worked at Ernst & Young, LLP and regional firms in Austin. He was a Controller of a public relations company. Brett delivers quality and timely tax compliance and consulting services to private companies and their owners. He has experience with federal and multi-state income taxes, franchise taxes, entity selection, dissolutions and tax authority examination assistance. The industries Brett focuses on are Wholesale and Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Investment Services and Real Estate. Brett is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce (AYC) and Business Networking International (BNI). Brett is married to Monica and has a daughter named Abigail (Abby).
Teresa Cross, CPA
Teresa’s principal areas of practice include tax return preparation and planning for corporations, partnerships, sole proprietors, individuals, and trusts; small business accounting systems consulting; franchise tax planning and compliance; IRS resolution. Teresa graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004 with a BBA in accounting. After working in general accounting for a few years, she joined the firm in 2007 and became licensed as a CPA in the state of California in 2009. She currently resides in Cedar Park with her husband, Eric, and her two dogs, Mini & Porter. Her personal interests include scrapbooking, travel, and spending time with her family.
Crystal Smith, CPA
Crystal received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2002. After working as a sales tax consultant for almost 4 years, she joined Elms, Faris & Company in Midland, Texas in 2006. She moved to Austin in 2007 to pursue her Masters of Accounting at the University of Texas, which she completed in 2008. She received her CPA license in March 2010. Crystal has been with Carpenter & Langford, PC since January 2007. Crystal married her husband, Cortney Smith, in August of 2005 in a ceremony on the beaches of Cozumel.
Christy Hyche
Christy graduated from St. Edward’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2002. She received a Masters of Professional Accounting-Concentration in Taxation from the University of Texas in Austin in 2003. She began her accounting career at Carpenter & Langford, PC in 2004.
Chase Walker
Chase began his career in public accounting at Walker and Vordenbaum, CPA in May 1998 before coming to Carpenter and Langford, PC in February 2005. He graduated from Southwest Texas State in May 1998 and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Finance.
Dawn Ward, Office Manager
Dawn has been an employee of Carpenter and Langford, P.C. since July, 1999. She was hired as receptionist, later worked as tax administrator and was soon after promoted to office manager where she has held her position since November 1, 2003. Dawn loves to spend time with her puppy Ellie Mae.
Jackie Siddons, Bookkeeper
Before joining our firm, Jackie and her husband owned a successful public storage company. After 14 years they sold the company. She joined our firm in 2008 as receptionist and has since advanced to Tax Administrator and Bookkeeper.
Nicole Lanpher, Receptionist
Nicole Lanpher joined the Carpenter and Langford Team in July of 2010 as our Receptionist. When she is not answering phones, processing a return or filing, she is out riding her new horse Derby and learning to barrel race. She also enjoys playing with her new puppy Fowler who brings great joy to her life.