Michael Johnston, CPA


Surprisingly, accounting and becoming a CPA was not my first choice for a career. Originally, I planned to be a High School Social Studies Teacher. However, after a brief period in a Jr. High School, I realized a career change to accounting career was necessary.

After military service, I relocated from NYC to Atlanta, Georgia and earned a Masters Degree in Professional Accounting from Georgia State University in Atlanta. . Within the study of accounting, I was most interested in the subject of income taxes. I began my accounting career as a Revenue Agent with the IRS in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1979, I passed the rigorous CPA Uniform examination. While with the IRS, I enjoyed the challenge of auditing income tax returns, testifying as an expert witness in US District Court in Atlanta and being a classroom instructor.

 

As the Corporate Income Tax Director of SunTrust Bank, I dealt with complicated corporate income tax issues, prepared the bank's consolidated income tax return and successfully transitioned from the mind set of an IRS income tax auditor.

As a CPA sole practitioner, I have prepared thousands of individual and corporate income tax returns.  I have also; prepared monthly accounting statements for my small business clients, processed thousands of  payroll checks, installed and reviewed QuickBooks accounting software and worked with individuals pursuing their dream of starting a business.  
In 1999 I enhanced my status as a CPA and became a Registered Investment Advisor because I was concerned about the stock losses I saw on my client’s income tax returns. There is a lot of investing ignorance that allows stock brokers and stock mutual fund companies to take advantage of their client’s money. Visit my Investing page to more to learn about my investing services.
Today, after almost 30 years as an Atlanta CPA in the accounting profession, I still find accounting, investing, processing payroll checks, doing QuickBooks consulting and working with income taxes to be very challenging and personally rewarding. I've heard it said that if you find a job you like, you would never work a day in your life. Well, I love my job!


  • Knowledge

    • Bachelor of Arts Degree, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
    • Master of Professional Accounting, Georgia State University, Atlanta
    • Certified Public Accountant, CPA, since 1979
    • Accounting Instructor, Clayton College & Georgia State University
  • Leadership


    • 1st Lieutenant, Airborne Ranger, Jungle Expert
    • Infantry Platoon Leader in Viet Nam, Purple Heart
    • Corporate Income Tax Director
    • Captain, ALTA City Champions
  • Experience


    • Revenue Agent, Internal Revenue Service, Atlanta, Georgia 1973-1979

      Audited Corporate, Partnership and Individual income tax returns

    • Classroom instructor for new IRS Agents

      Assigned to U.S. Attorney's office as Expert Witness
    • Corporate Tax Director, SunTrust Banks, Atlanta, Georgia 1979-1986

      • Led combination of tax departments for 1st Interstate Bank Merger in Southeast
      • Prepared consolidated corporate income tax return and tax footnote for financial statements
      • Met with key bank executives on income tax planning issues
        Keynote speaker at Bank Affiliate Meetings
      • Managed Bank's United Way Campaign
    • Sole Proprietor, Michael G. Johnston, CPA 1986-Present

      • Prepared thousands of individual and small business income tax returns
      • Assisted clients in starting a business and in obtaining SBA financing
      • Vigorously Represent clients audited by IRS and GA
      • Certified QuickBooks Advisor

      • Registered Investment Advisor
      • Process thousands of Payroll Checks
Knowledge:    CPA, Masters Degree in Accounting, Accounting Instructor

Leadership:    Infantry Officer, Corporate Tax Director

Experience:    IRS Revenue Agent, SunTrust Bank Income Tax Director and sole practitioner CPA

Services:    Investing, Starting a Business, Accounting, Income Taxes, Payroll, QuickBooks
 Call for immediate help: 770-969-9850
Michael Johnston, CPA
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©2007 Michael Johnston, CPA. All Rights Reserved.