Tammy (Tamara) Smith:  

Life I've been very blessed in my life with wonderful family and friends. After high school, I decided not to go to a university, but instead to go to a business college to pursue a career in what I enjoyed most in high school...Accounting. I went to Hickey School in Clayton, MO, and during that time, I worked for a jewelry manufacturer doing their bookkeeping. After graduating from the ten-month program, I worked for a small CPA firm in Granite City. During that time, I also was selected to be a Steam Heat Dancer for the St. Louis Steamers (MISL). That was a wonderful time because I met a great group of ladies on my squad, along with getting the opportunity to meet many area sports personalities. I was with the Steam Heat until August, 1986, when I chose to move to Tampa, FL. Moving to Florida had always been a dream of mine after vacationing there for many years. I had family in Tampa (my Brother lived there), so that made the transition easier. I worked for a short time with a small CPA firm in Tampa before moving closer to the beach (Clearwater area), and took a job with a larger CPA firm near home. I was a gym rat, working out daily. I lived for the beach and the gym and was training to compete in a "natural" bodybuilding competition when I injured my back. I continued training about six months later, but I had lost the desire to compete and train the way I had. I got married and divorced, all within a three year time frame. I went to work for a group of six cardiologists as the Accounting Supervisor. I talked my Mom into moving to Florida, and she went to work for a group of Cardiologists. Years later, our two groups merged, and now there are twenty physicians. I left that medical practice at the beginning of 2000 and went to work for a start-up technology company. Too much stress (imagine that), and eleven months later, and I decided to take a break. I was on my last semester at University of South Florida (oh, I left that out...I went back to school when I was married...going part-time towards my Accounting degree). I took eight months off work, finished my degree, and sent myself to Europe for a graduation present. It was a wonderful experience! Even though I had just completed my B.S. in Accounting, after 8 long years, I decided to attempt to change careers. Unfortunately, that didn't work out, and here I am, back in a CPA environment. I manage a medium-sized firm in Clearwater, FL. I'm also partner in a payroll processing company. My person...Expand for more