Faulk & Winkler

Today, we mark the closing of a chapter. 📖 As of August 31, our founding partner, Bert Faulk, has retired from active practice. Bert co-founded the firm in 1984 alongside David Winkler. Bert’s retirement closes a 42-year chapter.

“When David and I started this firm in 1984, we prioritized building deep, meaningful client relationships that position us to provide transformational service to their businesses and families,” Bert said. “I’m incredibly proud that those values have survived for 42 years and still underpin Faulk & Winkler’s operations today.”

Bert graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, served for 2 years in the U.S. Army, and worked for 14 years at a local accounting firm before opening Faulk & Winkler with 10 employees.

Over the decades that followed, Bert built a reputation for deep technical expertise in governmental and healthcare accounting and for the kind of client relationships that outlast a single engagement. Indeed, many of the firm's longest-standing clients have worked with Bert since the early years.

Please join us in celebrating Bert's career and the contributions he made over 55 years to our firm, our industry, and our community. Cheers to Bert! 🥳 🥂

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4gSUc7N

Join us in celebrating Slade Jones, CPA's promotion to Director in the firm’s Client Accounting Services (CAS) team!👏 Slade provides outsourced accounting and business advisory services to business owners in numerous industries and divides his time between Baton Rouge and Lafayette.🐊⚜️

“Slade has been a tremendous asset to our team, both in client accounting and in the Lafayette area,” said Tommy LeJeune, managing partner. “The energy, dedication, and creativity he brings to each engagement demonstrate our values and exemplify the client service we’re proud of at Faulk & Winkler.”

Slade spent five years on our audit and assurance team before moving fully into Client Accounting Services. Before joining Faulk & Winkler in 2020, he did accounting work in the oilfield industry, got hands-on construction experience, and also ran his own custom cabinetry business. 🛠️🚪

Congrats, Slade! 🎉

We're excited to announce that Emma Williams, CPA has been named Faulk & Winkler's chief operating officer. As COO, Emma assesses, develops, and improves the firm’s infrastructure at the intersection of technology, processes, and people. Congrats, Emma! 🎉

“Emma has become an indispensable voice within our firm, and we are proud to elevate her into this important new role,” said Tommy LeJeune, Faulk & Winkler’s managing partner. “In one short year, she has improved the sophistication of our operations considerably, managing everything from software implementations and vendor management to team structure and interfacing with clients.” Emma represents one of the new hires since January 2025 who have grown our firm's headcount by 50%.

Most recently serving as senior operations manager, Emma joined Faulk & Winkler in July 2025. Since that time, she has implemented and streamlined internal systems, improved documentation for standard operating procedures, and optimized internal teams for efficient deployment of talent.

Before moving back to Baton Rouge and joining Faulk & Winkler, Emma spent eight years in major national markets providing internal audit and risk advisory services with a leading global accounting firm. She performed specialty attestation and Systems and Operational Controls (SOC) reporting and advised clients on data security and information processing compliance.

Read more here: https://fw-cpa.com/insights/emma-williams-coo

Last week, our Managing Partner, Tommy LeJeune, and Director Jess Daze presented a workshop on “Preparing for your Annual Budget and Audit” at the Louisiana Municipal Association's 89th annual convention in Monroe. Their presentation covered everything from developing and amending a budget, financial recordkeeping, internal controls, audit preparation, common findings, and overall best practices for municipalities and government agencies.

Mid-year is the time to look ahead, not wait until December.

The new tax law includes several updates that may affect business planning, including 100% bonus depreciation, the permanent Section 199A deduction, and an expanded employer-provided childcare credit.

These changes may create planning opportunities, but timing matters.

Talk with your Faulk & Winkler advisor now so year-end decisions are made with a strategy, not in a rush.

This information is general and should not be considered tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

This July, we're celebrating one year with NeKivia! 🎉

NeKivia joined us as a GSG Senior, bringing her CPA and CFE credentials and a strong background in governmental auditing. Her passion for giving back, including volunteering with United Way's Dollars & Sense Program to teach financial literacy to high school students, reflects the kind of person she is both in and out of the office. She loves baking, reading, traveling (with a goal to visit all 50 states!), and catching Saints games with her dad.

We're so glad to have you on the team!

If you owe the IRS more than you can pay, you have more options than you might think.

One of them is called an Offer in Compromise. It allows eligible taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount owed. It's not a loophole and it's not too good to be true. It's an actual IRS program with a real application process.

Swipe through to learn how it works, who qualifies, and what to watch out for when seeking help.

Have questions about your situation? We're here to help. Head to fw-cpa.com/contact-us.

Part-time workers are reshaping the retirement plan landscape, and SECURE 2.0 made it official.

Starting with plan years after December 31, 2024, employees who work at least 500 hours in each of two consecutive years must be allowed to participate in your 401(k) or ERISA 403(b) plan. For businesses with a significant part-time workforce, this change could meaningfully expand plan participation and bring new administrative responsibilities along with it.

F&W and Sentinel work together to help businesses stay ahead of exactly these kinds of changes, from reviewing plan eligibility and updating census data to coordinating the accounting and tax implications.

Reach out to our team to make sure your plan and your books are aligned.

Our offices are closed while our team convenes around our shared values that make Faulk & Winkler unique and plans for the upcoming year. We wish all our clients, colleagues, and friends a safe and happy 250th birthday celebration to the USA.