Anne Scherer the Tax Lady

 
After many years working for other firms, Anne Scherer made the move toward opening her own business. Starting out from scratch at her dining room table, Anne began her business preparing other’s taxes by hand.   As her client base grew, Anne converted her basement into a home office and a few employees were hired.  Before long, Anne sought assistance from the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund to transition from a home-based business into an office in the Arrowhead Place on West 2nd Street.
 

The business, called, simply, "Anne Scherer the Tax Lady," now employs 7 staff, including her husband, Alan, who joined her after his retirement a few years ago.  The business provides a number of services to individuals and small businesses throughout Duluth and the surrounding area, including tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, personal cash management, financial counseling and planning, and assistance in choosing and forming a business entity. 

Anne believes that her outstanding staff is one of the strongest factors in the success of her business.  She also feels it is important in her line of work to get to know her clients personally. 

“Social work plays a role.  You are working with people as they go through divorce, marriage, death, unemployment, moving, bankruptcy… I get to know my clients.  Some people prefer to do a drop-off, and that’s what works best for their lifestyle.  But I love to meet with people too.  I never schedule a meeting with anyone for less than an hour.”

That personal touch, coupled with the quality services provided by Anne and her knowledgeable staff, is what brings so many individuals and small business owners to her door at tax time.

Anne’s greatest satisfaction as a business owner, and what she takes the most pride in, is the fact she is able to maintain a certain standard of ethics in everything she does. “My business has a good reputation,” she says.  “Above all we are honest and ethical.” 

Entrepreneurship has proven itself to be a lot of hard work, but also very rewarding for Anne Scherer.  “My children are proud,” she remarks. “That makes me feel great.”