Yi-Mei Howell EA, NSSA
Enrolled Agent
As an experienced Enrolled Agent Mei has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise in tax law and regulations. She is well-versed in all areas of individual taxation. She has a deep understanding of the ever-changing tax laws and stays up to date with the latest developments in the field. This allows her to provide her clients with accurate and reliable advice to minimize their tax liabilities and maximize their financial well-being.
Mei earned her Enrolled Agent designation with the Treasury Department in 2013 as well the National Social Security Advisor designation also in 2013. In addition, Mei holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting from Christopher Newport University.
John W. Herbst EA, NTPI Fellow
Enrolled Agent, NTPI Fellow
John comes to us with many years of experience in the fields of taxation and accounting. He specializes in preparing individual and small business tax returns. John earned his Enrolled Agent designation with the Treasury Department in 2018. In addition, John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting from College of Staten Island, Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Bible from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. John has recently completed the requirements for the designation of National Tax Practice Institute Fellow.
Memberships and offices held:
Hampton Roads Chapter Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents, Treasurer 2020 - 2022
Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents: Member 2018 - present
National Association of Enrolled Agents, Member 2018 - present
Virginia Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals- Member 2019 - present
Theresa F. Cofsky EA
Enrolled Agent | Partner
Multiple moves as a military spouse motivated Theresa to pursue education in the field of tax preparation. Theresa’s enthusiasm for taxes inspired her to make it a career.
Theresa has over 25 years of experience in the tax preparation and specializes in individual, small business, estate and trust taxation. Additionally, Theresa is knowledgeable in document preparation for ownership transfer of assets during estate or trust administration. Theresa was most recently employed as a tax professional at Langley Financial Services from 2006 to 2017.
Theresa has been an Enrolled Agent since October 2002 and earned a Bachelors Degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University in 1979. Theresa is a member of National Society of Enrolled Agents, Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents and Virginia Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals.
Barbara E. Roe EA
Enrolled Agent | Partner
Barbara has thirty years of experience as a tax practitioner and Enrolled Agent focusing on individual, small business, trust, and estate taxation; as well as in the accounting field, specializing in small business set-up, training and problem resolution. In 2017 she and two tax professionals founded the City Center Tax Group. She was previously with Langley Financial Services LLC as Tax Office Manager from 2004 to 2017 and prior to that position she was employed at D. Barry Iacono and Associates in Virginia Beach from 1989 to 2004 as Enrolled Agent and Administrative Supervisor.
Education and Designations:
Enrolled Agent, Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; Registered Financial Paraplanner, College of Financial Planning; Industriekaufmann, Fachberufsschule of Frankfurt, Germany
Memberships and offices held:
Hampton Roads Chapter Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents, President 2003 - 2007, Treasurer 2017 - 2020
Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents: Treasurer 2005 - 2010, Director 2010 - 2012, Vice President 2012 - 2014 and President 2014 - 2016, Director 2023 - present
National Association of Enrolled Agents, Member 1999 - present
Awards:
2008 Enrolled Agent of the Year, Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents
Iris R. Garriss (Emeritus)
Partner
As of May 1, 2024 Iris retired from tax preparation. She remains an active partner in our firm.
She began her tax career with the Internal Revenue Service in 1981. She was involved with tax preparation as well as collection and auditing issues. Some of her duties also included teaching and developing training material for new employees. She was frequently called upon to give seminars and tax talks to private, civic, religious and governmental organizations. She retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 2007.
She began work as a tax practitioner with Langley Financial Services in 2009 until 2017, specializing in individual, small business, trust and estate taxation.
She is a Registered Tax Return Preparer and is designated as an Annual Filing Season Practitioner by Department of the Treasury. She studied at Averett University and St. Leo College. Iris is a member of Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents and Virginia Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals.