Senior Manager

Chris minimizes the taxes that business owners and their companies pay by maximizing their credits and deductions. He also helps clients build more valuable businesses by creating efficiencies through his experience as a business owner and adviser.

Chris joined Hunter & Associates in 2007. As senior manager, he reviews every tax return filed by clients at one of Northeast Florida’s 25 largest accounting firms.

In 2010, Hunter & Associates almost doubled its staff and client base, adding three accountants and hundreds of clients. Chris led the expansion, refining the firms’ procedures, updating its technology and even reconfiguring office space to accommodate the additional staff at Hunter & Associates’ offices.

Accountants and staffers work more efficiently because Chris has delegated responsibilities and established effective processes for completing returns on time. Citing his commitment to colleagues, clients and community, the Jacksonville Business Journal named Chris one of Northeast Florida's 40 Under 40 for 2011, recognizing him as one of the region's top young professionals. 

Clients benefit from Chris’ knowledge of tax planning and the tax code.

Chris admits that he “studies the nerdy stuff no one else wants to read.” By staying current, he ensures that clients are put in the best position tax wise.

Client Richard Cross, a property owner and real estate manager, says, “Chris is very easy to work with and he gets the job done.”

Chris personally prepares the more intricate returns filed by the firm’s clients, particularly those related to real estate holdings and private investments in companies. He also helps clients with bookkeeping, cash-flow management and financial analysis, providing services comparable to in-house accountants or chief financial officers.

Professional background

A native of New Hampshire and a nine-year veteran of the Navy, Chris began his professional career in 1999, as a corporate controller with ICLM Systems, a manufacturing and distribution company in Jacksonville.

When ICLM moved its headquarters to Atlanta in 2005, Chris chose to stay in Jacksonville, where he had been since moving with the Navy in 1996. From 2005 to 2007, he prepared tax returns as an accountant with Harbeson, Fletcher & Bateh, LLP, earning his master’s of accountancy from the University of North Florida in 2006. He has a bachelor’s of science from Brenau University.

Chris has been a business owner as well. He co-founded a furniture company in Jacksonville and served as its chief financial officer as it expanded. As a former business owner who has faced the same cash-flow challenges and day-to-day financial pressures of his clients, Chris delivers candid counsel that can turn a company’s fortunes.

As a trusted adviser, Chris is fully involved with his clients. He works diligently to give objective advice based on the “numbers” and is not afraid to ask tough questions to clearly define his clients’ objectives.

Community involvement

Chris helps his community through volunteer work as well. He is a former treasurer of Holy Family Catholic Church and remains active in its Men’s Club. He also has volunteered his time at HabiJax and a local catholic charities organization.

Chris does pro bono tax representation work and shares his knowledge with aspiring accountants, teaching introductory tax accounting classes at Everest University.