Our Team:

Clergy Tax Experts Committed to Improving Your Financial Future

Ask our clients to describe us. Most would call us “clergy tax experts” or “church tax specialists.” But then you’d also hear things like, “exceptional, caring and knowledgeable.” You’d hear stories about how much money we’ve saved them and how our specialists are some of the only professionals in the country that fully-understand clergy taxes, especially in a total financial plan.

Our team of professionals, collectively, has more than 150 years of tax and retirement-planning experience. Whether your situation calls for a CPA, an Enrolled Agent, a CFP or a Retirement Specialist, we’ve got you covered. That’s why we’re able to provide the most specialized and comprehensive advice for every area of your financial plan.

Steve Merriman, CEO and Enrolled Agent, 33 years tax experience

Steve's-photo-2007Steve has personally overseen the preparation of more than 60,000 clergy tax returns and represented 1100 pastors in IRS proceedings. Steve is often called, Mr. “Housing Allowance” because of his reputation and expertise in clergy tax issues. He has developed tested strategies that greatly enhance ministers and ministries’ ability to stretch resources and tax benefits and preserve the non-denominational minister’s housing allowance benefits for life.

This came after devoting 4 years of his life to researching housing allowance issues for the highly publicized court case involving Rick Warren. These efforts also resulted in the “The Clergy Housing Allowance Clarification Act of 2002,” that secured your housing allowance benefits better than ever. More recently, Steve was responsible for negotiating with the IRS on behalf of ministers everywhere to avoid computer selection practices that unfairly targeted ministers. Few firms are more dedicated to improving your financial future, or will pursue your welfare more aggressively, which is why thousands of clergy continue to rely on us for their financial futures.

Zan Pensack-Rinehart, CFP, Master of Divinity, 23 years tax experience

ZanZan is currently in his 24th year of tax preparation, retirement planning and financial consulting for ministers. Zan graduated with a degree in accounting and economics from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and received his Master of Divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theology Seminary Berkeley, California. He pastored congregations in New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado before he settled in Colorado at Clergy Advantage®.

Zan is a Tax Advisor, and a Certified Financial Planner. His ability to customize coordinated tax and investment strategies for his clients is a unique calling that allows his pastoral care to take on new dimensions. Zan also provides incredibly valuable Clergy Housing Allowance Strategies through seminars and consultations. His meticulous service to clergy and their families is the perfect marriage of his gifts, skill and interests.

Cheryl Hemphill, EA, 15 years experience

Cheryl-HemphillCheryl graduated Cum Laude from Geneva College in western Pennsylvania with a degree in Business Administration and has earned the status of Enrolled Agent. Her meticulous attention to the individual needs of whomever she serves will be evident when you work with her.

Cheryl is a pastor’s daughter, a pastor’s wife and an accomplished pianist, vocalist and music instructor. Her concern for ministers and their unique situations comes quite naturally. Cheryl’s father pastored for 45 years. Her husband of 30 plus years has been commissioned for church planting in Laramie, Wyoming. Cheryl tele-commutes from Laramie and is available by phone and special appointment.

Chuck Trimble, CPA, 26 years experience

Chuck graduated with a BBA in Accounting in 1976 from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He recently sold his very successful CPA Practice in Wylie, TX to relocate near his extended family in Colorado with his wife, Tena. He also spent 12 years as a pastor of his church’s worship team, where he played guitar and provided vocals. A self described “tinkerer” and music lover, his passion for music is almost as strong as his passion for helping clergy. He looks forward to becoming your trusted tax advisor for this and many tax seasons to come.

Myron Berg, EA, 43 years experience

MyronMyron Berg, EA, is a veteran accountant with 42 years of tax preparation under his belt. They say that experience is the best teacher, and with Myron this is certainly true. Myron is a native of Minneapolis, MN but completed his tax education at Southern Illinois University. He began his career in Mount Vernon and earned his Enrolled Agent Status in 1976. In addition to his expertise with ministers’ taxes, Myron specializes in business tax and especially, Sub-Chapter S-Corporations and Partnerships (LLC’s), in our Loveland office.

He lives in Greeley, CO with his lovely bride of 45 years, Marsha. When he’s not in the office or a mission trip, Myron and Marsha moonlight in their second career, doting on their three grandchildren.

Sherrye Merriman, CFO

Sherrye-MerrimanIt can be said that Clergy Advantage’s development is directly attributable to Sherrye and her father’s need for answers to clergy tax questions over 35 years ago. Since actively becoming a member of the professional team, Sherrye has assumed leadership of the accounting department and coordinated the process for obtaining exempt status with the IRS for hundreds of non profits.

Her attention to the smallest detail is why we enjoy almost a 100% success rate with our new non profit start ups. Sherrye is especially concerned with educating clients about the responsibilities and benefits involved with this decision. She and Steve provide expert guidance through the set-up process and explain the steps involved and all necessary management procedures. Contact us at 970-667-5819 to schedule your consultation and learn if setting up a non-profit is the right decision for your ministry.

Ryan Olson

Ryan OlsonRyan Olson has a BS in Political Science from Bradley University in Peoria, IL and an extensive background in business and finance. His goal  to “come along side those who are building the church,” is why he’s become so adept at serving ministries’ financial needs.  Ryan feels clergy tax/financial specialization is the perfect venue to integrate his skills and passion for discipleship while helping ministries capitalize on their resources and plan for the future.

Ryan loves travel and has visited extensively in Europe, Australia, China and also served through mission work, mostly in Guatemala and Eastern Europe. He and his wife, Anna, a nurse practitioner, would eventually like to do regular mission work in Eastern Europe, especially Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic.

JoAnn Smith, CPA

JoAnn SmithJoAnn Smith, CPA, JoAnn graduated from Geneva College in PA in 1992 and began her career with a Colorado CPA firm. Eventually, she opened her own business, as an accountant, tax preparer and bookkeeper. She is also available in our Thornton Office.

Her husband David, is a graduate of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburg, PA and following his graduation, they focused on family and ministry in Colorado and Florida. As a pastor’s wife, JoAnn home schooled her three children, acted as church secretary and tax return preparer for family and friends.

She and her husband, David,  continue to have a great desire to serve the church and to encourage its ministers and leadership through her service with Clergy Advantage.

 

David Cordova

David has over 26 years of accounting experience specializing in non-profits. Before joining us, David was the controller of the Stout Street Foundation for 12 years. He received his BS in Accounting from the University of Denver and his Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. Besides having an uncanny affinity for numbers and detail, he’s quite well traveled and has spent time in Rwanda and other memorable places like; Moscow, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Mexico on mission related business. He’s committed many years to actively supporting religious organizations through his work as treasurer for Evangelical Friends Mission. He’s also on several boards, including Little Friends Learning Center and their summer camp in Woodland Park.

His impressive credentials and experience, combined with the expertise that David brings to our company, is commensurate with the “Clergy” standard of excellence. David welcomes inquiries regarding your Non Profit tax concerns or IRS Tax Exemption applications for 501(c)(3) Non-Profit applications and can be reached at david@clergysupport.com or (970-667-5819).

Not utilizing all of your tax benefits could be costing you thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes every year. Don’t be a tax casualty and  keep your housing allowance benefits for life.    Transform the way you use your tax benefits. Attend our free, “Tax Free Money for Ministers” and “Don’t Let Ministry Expenses Eat Your Lunch.”

By breaking the puzzle into three main categories and fitting them into a practical and complete plan, you’re likely to see huge savings right away.   Learn how to maximize the critical, “Tax Biggies” and 90% of your tax puzzle is solved:

  1. Housing Allowance
  2. Maintaining Housing Allowance Benefits FOR LIFE & using the right retirement plan
  3. Understanding Ministry Expenses and the Accountable Plan

Using your housing allowance effectively requires much more than  knowing what you can & can’t deduct. Understand three basic principles before setting your housing allowance for the year.  Learn effective strategies for special circumstances like, buying or selling a house to create even more tax deductions.

Keep your housing allowance benefits when you retire. Even if you never plan to retire, you can have the tax free stream of income for life. The wrong kind of retirement plan can cost you your housing allowance benefits and tens of thousands of dollars over the years.  There are unique tax strategies available to pastors, and there are unique financial strategies available as well.

Ministerial Expenses are a huge area of tax losses for ministers without an Accountable plan. If your Accountable Plan isn’t set up and implemented properly, you ARE LOSING significant deductions every year. Discover a host of frequently overlooked deductions AND reduce your audit risk enormously.  If you’re a typical pastor, you could be adding hundreds or even thousands to your income every year.  You’ll have everything you need to present to your board,  implement and budget an Accountable Plan.