Headshot of Philip Kowatch.

Because I like to challenge myself to learn new things and to balance the sometimes-sedentary nature of accounting, I’ve constructed trails, treehouses, zip lines, bridges, and an outdoor brick pizza oven on the wooded property where we live.
Philip Kowatch
Partner

Experience

I specialize in providing tax compliance and planning services to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, private foundations, and closely held businesses.

My clients appreciate that I truly value my role as a trusted advisor to them. While I’m proud of my technical competence and commitment to fulfill obligations in a timely manner, I find that it takes more to gain the trust of a client. Listening is a key element. Taking the time to identify and define the client’s goals will ultimately result in tax planning that’s effective and in line with their unique objectives. Listening and then following up with tailored solutions is how I build real trust.

Around the office, colleagues know me for my jovial spirit and good-natured sense of humor. I genuinely enjoy practicing tax and teaming with others, and I find it helps to do our work with an amiable disposition. In fact, I’m more fulfilled by teaming with others to generate meaningful solutions than I am with just the numbers and math of tax work.

With more than 25 years of experience, I’m proudest of the career accomplishments that involve helping others. Whether it’s the heartfelt gratitude of a family that I helped to navigate through a complex estate closing or the immense pride in guiding a new colleague through career development and promotions, I consider being of service to others my greatest accomplishment.

In addition to my membership in the AICPA and the MICPA, I’ve been an officer on the boards of The West Michigan Estate Planning Council, Racing Awareness, Camp Concordia, and St. Matthew Lutheran Church. I received my B.Acc. from Northwood University and my M.S.T. from Grand Valley State University.

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time outdoors, hunting, golf, and basketball. My wife, Stephanie, and our four children enjoy being active together and traveling.