Ginger Powell

As the leader of our firm’s R&D tax credit practice, my goal is to help clients save tax dollars by identifying and implementing tax-saving opportunities. I specialize in tax incentives for organizations bringing new products to market, primarily in the manufacturing (automotive, tooling, plastics, food and beverage, and more), software, and technology spaces. My experience includes working with large multinational companies, new technology startups, and everything in between.

I’ve always loved science and originally planned to study chemistry. But working with people was what energized me — and I was surprised to find that accounting was a good fit. Then, early in my career, an opportunity to help on an R&D tax credit project presented itself, and I became hooked when I found I could work with both science and accounting. After starting my career at another firm, I joined Plante Moran in 2012 when our R&D credit specialty tax team was only a handful of people. Since then, I’m very proud that we’ve grown to almost 50 CPAs, engineers, and attorneys across the firm.

I enjoy presenting at technology and manufacturing industry association events, national R&D Credit Symposiums as well as internal trainings. I also author articles and host webinars on tax credit topics annually. I belong to the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society, and I received my B.S. in accounting from the University of Iowa.

With a seven-year gap between my daughters, much of my free time is spent with family. We’re lucky to have many relatives nearby. We enjoy various activities with the kids — of which camping and swimming are favorites.