Otey Lumpkin

Otey joined the firm in 1990 to lead the firm’s audit and assurance practice, and recently served as the firm’s Managing Partner where he was responsible for quality control, technical matters and human resource development. Specializing in accounting, auditing and emerging business issues, he provides counsel to the firm on accounting, assurance and financial consulting needs. In addition, he provides counsel to other accounting firms on technical issues and conducts peer reviews of other firms.

Prior to joining the firm, Otey spent 19 years with a large international accounting firm, where he was partner in charge of both the auditing and general business services departments. He was responsible for client service, engagement management, recruiting and training personnel, and resolving technical issues.

Otey is active in several professional, civic and social organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Tim Pike

Tim joined the firm in 2004 as a seasoned audit professional. He has extensive assurance experience in a wide variety of industries, and he also devotes considerable time consulting with organizations on internal controls, litigation support, and accounting best practices. He additionally performs peer reviews and consults with other accounting firms regarding technical issues. In 2020, Tim was recognized as the CPA of the Year by the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Tim currently serves as the Chair of the Texas Peer Review Committee and on the Executive Board of the TXCPA. Additionally, Tim is a prior Chair of the Dallas Chapter, which serves over 6,000 CPAs. Tim was elected as Managing Partner in January 2021 because he brings a unique blend of technical competence and practicality to the table, and demonstrates the commitment our firm has to serving our clients and team members.

Prior to joining the firm, Tim practiced in the assurance group of an international firm, working on public, private and not-for-profit organizations in conjunction with their annual and quarterly financial reporting, as well as attestation on internal controls.

Tim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a member of the Texas External Relations and Peer Review Committees, a board member of both the Dallas CPA Society and Texas Society of CPAs, and the Vice Chair of the Convergence Conference Committee in the Dallas CPA Society. You will also find Tim training other professionals on various continuing education topics and periodically serves as adjunct faculty for local universities. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.

David House

David merged his firm, House & Associates, P.C., with Howard in 2021. With over 47 years in public accounting, David has worked with both public and private clients in diverse industries. His areas of emphasis include manufacturing, oil and gas, employee benefit plans, and not-for-profit companies. David also performs peer reviews and consults with other accounting firms regarding technical issues.

Prior to joining the firm, David spent 10 years in the audit division of a major international accounting firm and then 37 years as managing partner of a firm he founded.

David has also served on the Texas Peer Review Committee and worked as a technical reviewer of peer reviews for the TXCPA. He is a member of AICPA and TXCPA. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Harding University.

Jim Howard

Jim founded the firm in 1981. With over 45 years in public accounting, Jim has worked with clients in numerous industries, with an emphasis in real estate and oil & gas. He consults with both individual and business clients on a wide range of business issues, encompassing taxation (including transaction structuring for income and estate tax planning), entity selection for tax efficiency, and personal financial goals and strategies.

Prior to founding the firm, Jim spent 11 years with a large international accounting firm, where he was partner in charge of the tax practice in the Dallas office.

Because of his extensive experience in restructuring debt with financial institutions, in bankruptcies and in other situations, Jim is frequently sought out and consulted by attorneys for assistance in civil litigation and criminal tax cases.

Jim has served at the state and local levels of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. Additionally, he has served as a board member and executive officer of various United Way organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Jim Files

Jim began his career in public accounting in 1984, and joined the firm in 2003. Throughout his career, he has provided sound and creative tax planning and consulting services tailored to meet the needs of individuals as well as businesses in a variety of industries and tax jurisdictions, both domestic and international.

Earlier in his career, Jim served on an overseas assignment in Switzerland, where he provided U.S. tax planning and consulting services to U.S. businesses and individuals operating abroad, as well as to non-U.S. companies and individuals with interests in the United States. His responsibilities focused on providing sound tax planning, consultation and compliance services to a diverse group of clients.

Jim believes that the development of a long-term and trusted working relationship with the client is the most important factor in providing a high level of professional service. Developing these relationships is his foremost goal. He strives to listen to and understand clients’ specific needs and expectations, and then meet those needs and continuously exceed expectations.

Jim has published multiple articles on technical issues in U.S. and international taxation, and served as a guest speaker on U.S. tax issues at the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw, Poland; and other professional forums. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is active in several community organizations in Dallas. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Accounting and Economics, as well as a Master of Science degree in Accounting (emphasis in Taxation) from Oklahoma State University.

Leisha joined the firm in 2011 as a member of the tax team with significant experience in both private industry and public accounting. Her experience includes working with clients in all areas of taxation and her primary focus is individual taxation, tax planning and related compliance, and corporate, partnership and fiduciary taxation.

Prior to joining the firm, Leisha practiced in the tax department of a mid-sized local firm focusing on tax planning and compliance for both federal and states. She has extensive experience throughout her career in a wide variety of industries with a main focus on service entities. Her responsibilities include managing team members to ensure our clients get the best possible tax advice and planning to ensure their success.

Leisha holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola Marymount University in California. She is licensed to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in California and Texas. She also holds a Personal Financial Specialist designation and has a Personal Financial Planning certificate from UCLA. Leisha is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Sarah joined the firm in July 2014 as a member of the tax team with over 20 years of tax experience. She has worked with many types of industries and companies, ranging from small privately held corporations, national consolidated corporations, partnerships and LLCs to high wealth individuals. Specific experience includes real estate, oil & gas, service industries, and international tax issues. Sarah also has experience with tax planning and tax consulting for both individuals and businesses.

Prior to joining the firm, Sarah practiced in the tax department of a large local accounting firm working with clients in all areas of taxation with a focus on pass-through entities. Her responsibilities included managing team members to ensure her clients get the best possible tax advice and tax planning to ensure their success.

Sarah is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Paul Knuston

Paul joined the firm in 2004. With over 15 years in public accounting, his experience allows him to advise and guide entrepreneurs, business owners and high-net-worth family groups with their unique challenges and decisions. He focuses on industries such as oil & gas, real estate, professional services and not-for-profit entities. Paul enjoys finding creative solutions to fit the needs of his clients, including business planning, entity structuring, estate planning and tax compliance.

Prior to joining the firm, Paul served as a tax accountant with a West Texas accounting firm, focusing on tax preparation and planning.

Paul is a member of the American Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree from Hardin-Simmons University.

Gary Kroll

Having been with the firm since 1999, Gary brings abundant accounting experience in both the public sector and private industry. He provides tax planning and compliance services for individual taxpayers and business entities, with an emphasis in the real estate industry and partnerships. Gary is elected as Managing Partner because he brings a unique blend of technical competence and practicality to the table, and demonstrates the commitment our firm has to serving our clients and team members.

Gary feels that working closely with clients and getting to know them is an important part of developing a quality, long-term professional relationship. His overriding goal is to provide each client with a high level of personal service.

Prior to joining the firm, Gary was tax manager for a local accounting firm in Dallas. He has also operated his own tax practice, and worked in the private industry as Corporate Controller for a retail company with multistate operations.

Gary is a member of several professional associations, including the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and Dallas Certified Public Accountants Society. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University.

Melissa Lampert

Melissa joined the firm in 1995. With over 30 years of experience in public accounting, she has become a go-to resource for clients seeking advice on tax-saving opportunities, mainly in the real estate and service industries. Her responsibilities with the firm include tax planning and research, as well as review of tax returns for a clientele that includes small and medium-size corporations and S corporations, partnerships, trusts and individuals. She works closely with these clients, keeping them informed of changes in tax laws and recent developments that may impact them.

Prior to joining the firm, Melissa worked in the tax and audit departments at two other accounting firms. Her auditing experience provided her with the ability to analyze clients’ financial statements, identify problem areas and offer possible solutions.

Melissa is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She holds an undergraduate degree from Loyola University, cum laude, and a Master of Accounting degree from Florida Atlantic University.

Holly joined the firm in 2009. She is known for providing high-quality service, in addition to personal and caring involvement for her clients. With over 15 years of tax experience, she has served a wide-range of industries and tax entities including real estate, restaurant, high net-worth individuals, and multi-state and consolidated corporations. Holly thrives in tax planning for small businesses and is committed to delivering priority service to our clients.

Prior to joining the firm, Holly worked for a mid-sized local firm for nearly six years and then founded Holly E. Watkins PLLC, which provided tax and accounting services for individuals and small businesses in Texas. In January 2016, Holly E. Watkins PLLC merged with Howard, LLP to expand services, capabilities and expertise as part of the Howard team.

Holly is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and French from Austin College, as well as a Masters in Accounting from University of Texas at Dallas. She topped off her education with a Certificate in Financial Planning from Southern Methodist University. With a passion for always learning, Holly also earned a certification in gerontology from University of North Texas.

Josh Whitworth

Josh joined the firm in 2021 and brings more than 14 years in the accounting industry with a diverse background in international tax compliance and consulting related to U.S individuals and businesses operating abroad and non-resident aliens and foreign businesses operating within the U.S. Josh has routinely helped taxpayers come into compliance with their U.S income tax reporting obligations under the streamline filing programs.

He also provides federal and state tax consulting and compliance to high-net-worth individuals and small and medium size businesses. Josh’s experience spans a number of different industries including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, oil and gas, professional services, and real estate. Josh also has experience providing business valuation services to clients. Josh is a recognized leader and you will find Josh teaching continuing education to other CPAs throughout Texas.

Prior to joining the firm, Josh spent several years with two other national CPA firms leading the international tax group in the Dallas office.

Josh is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Masters in Accounting from Abilene Christian University.

Hannah joined the firm in January 2011 as a member of the tax team. She has been in public accounting since 2006 and has experience in various industries and with different entity types and structures. Specific experience includes oil & gas, not-for-profit, and professional service industries; estates and trusts; and high-net-worth family groups. Hannah also has experience with tax planning and consulting for both individuals and businesses. She is heavily involved in recruiting activities at the firm and oversees the tax department’s internship program.

Prior to joining the firm, Hannah worked for a Big 4 accounting firm, specializing in international and domestic real estate and financial services clients.

Hannah is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma. She is also a graduate of the 2013-2014 class of the Dallas CPA Society Leadership Development Academy.

Maria joined the firm’s tax team in 2012. She has over 10 years of public accounting experience and has served a broad range of clients consisting of individuals, corporations, trusts, and flow-through entities. Maria provides personalized tax planning and compliance services to individuals and businesses in various industries including real estate, construction and professional services. She strives to ensure that our clients receive high quality tax services that align with their business objectives through consistent collaboration and management of team members.

Prior to joining the firm, Maria worked in the tax department of a local accounting firm preparing and reviewing state and federal tax returns for various clients ranging from individuals to multi-state corporations.

Maria is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas, cum laude.

Chris Barnes

Chris joined the firm in 2006 as a systems admin and client IT consultant. In his current role as Chief Technology Officer, he draws upon his technical and business experience to provide IT value for Howard, LLP and its clients, with emphasis on Cybersecurity & Compliance, Cloud Migration, and IT Project Management.

A highly accomplished IT professional, Chris has earned multiple industry designations, including CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and several Microsoft specific designations (MCSE, MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, Certified Microsoft Small-Business Specialist, and Certified Cloud Services Provider). In May 2020, he received his CCRMP (Certified Cloud Risk Management Professional) certification, focusing on the NIST Risk Management Framework and FedRAMP.

Chris holds an MBA with a concentration in Information Systems Management & Security from Keller Graduate School of Management and an MS in Cybersecurity (Cloud Security Risk Management) from Baker College. He also serves on the Collin College Cybersecurity Advisory Board.