About Payne & Company CPAs, LLC · Columbus
Payne & Company CPAs, LLC is a privately-held Columbus, Ohio accounting firm founded by S. Kevin Payne and officially formed on January 1, 1996, though Kevin has been a practicing Certified Public Accountant since 1985. Originally located on Indianola Avenue, the firm relocated in May 2007 to 4630 Sawmill Road, just south of Bethel Road, where it continues to serve individual and business clients. The firm emphasizes a relationship-driven, partnership approach and delivers personalized tax, accounting, auditing, payroll, and consulting services through a small, experienced staff of CPAs. The firm is licensed by the Accountancy Board of the State of Ohio and holds active memberships in the Ohio Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
Payne & Company CPAs, LLC is a long-established, locally-owned Certified Public Accounting firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, serving individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations throughout central Ohio. Founded by S. Kevin Payne, CPA — a licensed practitioner since 1985 — the firm was officially formed on January 1, 1996, and built its reputation on a hands-on, relationship-first philosophy in which every client engagement is treated like a partnership. After more than a decade on Indianola Avenue, the firm moved in May 2007 to its current offices at 4630 Sawmill Road, south of Bethel Road, in the Upper Arlington/Norwich area. The team includes Kevin Payne (Owner), his son Kent Payne, CPA (Director, Audit Manager, licensed since 2008), Cheri Garapic, CPA (Tax Manager, with the firm since January 1988, licensed since 1990), and Thomas D. Karn, CPA (licensed since 2010, joined in September 2018). All team members hold memberships in the Ohio Society of CPAs and the AICPA. Payne & Company offers a comprehensive suite of services spanning accounting, tax planning and preparation, IRS representation, audits/reviews/compilations, payroll, bookkeeping, financial forecasting, business succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation support. Their stated vision centers on four pillars: Personalized Service, Proactive Communication, Maximum Profits, and Increased Ownership Value.
- In business
- Formed January 1, 1996 (founder practicing as a CPA since 1985)
- Owner
- S. Kevin Payne, CPA (Owner)
- Serves
- Columbus, Ohio and central Ohio (clients served from offices in Columbus, OH)
About the Firm
Payne & Company CPAs, LLC was officially formed on January 1, 1996, though founder and owner S. Kevin Payne had been practicing as a Certified Public Accountant as a partner or owner of accounting firms since 1985. Originally based on Indianola Avenue, the firm relocated in May 2007 to its current home at 4630 Sawmill Road, just south of Bethel Road. The firm operates on a relationship-driven, partnership model — treating every client engagement like a partnership and believing their success flows directly from each client's success.
- Formed: January 1, 1996
- Founder practicing as a CPA since: 1985
- Original office: Indianola Avenue, Columbus
- Current office (since May 2007): 4630 Sawmill Road, Columbus, OH 43220
Our Vision & Principles
The firm's vision rests on four guiding principles that shape how Payne & Company serves individuals and businesses across central Ohio. The team takes a hands-on approach with each client, brings forward planning strategies and ideas proactively rather than waiting to be asked, looks behind the numbers to find opportunities to maximize profits, and helps business owners preserve the wealth they have built over a lifetime.
- Personalized Service — hands-on assistance so clients understand the work performed
- Proactive Communication — surface strategies and ideas without waiting to be asked
- Maximum Profits — identify cost savings, operational efficiencies, and tax savings
- Increased Ownership Value — preserve wealth built in the business
Our Firm — Leadership & Team
Payne & Company is led by a small, experienced team of Ohio-licensed CPAs. Owner S. Kevin Payne has held his CPA license since 1985 and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Bowling Green State University. Director Kent Payne, his son, has been a CPA since 2008, joined the firm in September 2009, and serves as Audit Manager after three years with GBQ Partners' Assurance department. Cheri Garapic, CPA, has been with the firm since January 1988 and is licensed since 1990; she serves as Tax Manager, with a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) from Fairmont State University. Thomas D. Karn, CPA, has been licensed since 2010 and joined the firm in September 2018 as a Senior Accountant, with a B.S. in Communication from Ohio University and a B.S. in Accounting from Franklin University.
- S. Kevin Payne, CPA — Owner, licensed since 1985; B.B.A. Accounting, Bowling Green State University
- Kent Payne, CPA — Director / Audit Manager, licensed since 2008; B.B.A. Accounting, Ohio University; previously GBQ Partners
- Cheri Garapic, CPA — Tax Manager, licensed since 1990; with firm since Jan 1988; B.S. Business Administration (Accounting), Fairmont State University
- Thomas D. Karn, CPA — licensed since 2010; joined Sept 2018; B.S. Communication (Ohio University) & B.S. Accounting (Franklin University)
Professional Credentials & Affiliations
The firm is licensed to practice by the Accountancy Board of the State of Ohio and adheres to professional standards, quality review procedures, and continuing education requirements. All team members hold active memberships in the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Over the years the firm has built relationships with attorneys, banks, insurance agencies, and investment advisors to provide clients with valuable referral contacts.
- Licensed by the Accountancy Board of the State of Ohio
- Member, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Network of partner attorneys, banks, insurance agencies, and investment advisors
Client Services — Accounting
Payne & Company provides a full range of cost-effective accounting services for individuals and businesses, with the goal of delivering timely, accurate financial information that keeps day-to-day operations running smoothly. Services are tailored to both brand-new entities and long-established businesses.
- Accounting system setup for new businesses
- Bookkeeping / Write-Up (Monthly, Quarterly, Annual)
- General ledger & financial statement preparation
- Personal financial statements
- Computerized payroll services
- Business tax return preparation (Sales & Use / Business Property)
Client Services — Tax
Tax planning and preparation are described by the firm as a 'winning combination' for both individual and multi-tiered business clients. Staff develop tax strategies that take advantage of new tax laws and legislation, prepare returns across entity types, represent clients before federal and state tax authorities, and handle sales and use tax obligations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Tax Planning & Preparation (individual and business)
- Business tax return preparation (Sales & Use / Business Property)
- Sales and Use Tax filing assistance
- IRS Representation before federal and state tax agencies
Client Services — Audits, Reviews & Compilations
Payne & Company views its role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing profitability and efficiency, offering financial reporting on all three levels of assurance.
- Audit — intensive examination with the highest level of assurance
- Review — analytical procedures conducted with limited assurance
- Compilation — based on client-provided information, primarily for internal use
- Cash Flow & Budgeting Analysis
- Financial Forecasts & Projections
Client Services — Consulting
The firm's consulting practice helps business owners navigate complex transitions and strategic decisions, from acquiring or divesting a business to long-term succession planning. The team brings a background in tax and financial matters to bear on issues of business continuation, mergers and acquisitions, and ongoing management advisory.
- Buying & Selling a Business
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Business Succession Planning
- Management Advisory Services
- Financial Forecasts & Projections
- Litigation Support
Office & Contact
The firm operates from a single Columbus office on Sawmill Road and serves clients by appointment during standard business hours. New clients are asked to inquire through the contact submission form on the firm's website.
- Address: 4630 Sawmill Road, Columbus, OH 43220
- Phone: (614) 458-1101
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Excludes Holidays)
- Meetings by Appointment Only
- Website: https://www.payneandcompany.com