J Kip Smith CPA EA LLC is a tax consulting firm that specializes in tax consulting services for both business owners and individuals. Kip's extensive tax experience began as an agent with the Internal Revenue Service (1973-1976), followed by his role in the tax department of Ernst & Ernst (1976 - 1980). In 1980, he and John Royster left Ernst to establish their own CPA firm, Royster & Smith CPAs, located in Winston-Salem, NC. In 1988, Kip was called into ministry, which led him to leave Royster & Smith to pursue his Master of Divinity and serve as a full-time pastor (1991 to present) at Bethany Church in Ellicott City, MD. Despite his pastoral duties, he continued to provide tax preparation services pro-bono until 2023, when he renewed his license as a CPA in North Carolina. He is also certified in Maryland and holds the designation of Enrolled Agent. Additionally, Kip is a member of the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals, the Maryland Society of CPA's, and the AICPA, where he is also in the tax section.