12/06/2006
Small-business owner Robert Sielschott says the biggest challenge for his business is "controlling the costs that are associated with employing people, i.e. regulations, payroll taxes, medical insurance costs, workers' compensation costs and tax compliance burdens."
Sielschott started his business, a CPA firm, when he was only 23 years old in 1982. When the business started, Sielschott had only seven clients and one employee. Since then, he has taken on a partner, Jared Walsh, and he employs 15 individuals, including five CPAs.
With the experience of Sielschott and his partner, Sielschott and Walsh CPAs is able to offer a number of services to their clients.
"We are a small-business compilation and review practice, with a large individual and small-business tax practice as well," said Sielschott. "I am also a certified business valuator, and my partner is a certified financial planner."
The best part of owning his own business for Sielschott is the opportunity to create quality jobs for individuals in the area. "Especially opportunities that allow some of our young people to stay here and not automatically move away from our community. That has been very satisfying," commented Sielschott.
Sielschott joined NFIB in 1983 after a field representative came to his business.
"NFIB has helped me have access to politicians and try to have them understand how important small-business employers are, and how the government can either help us employ people or keep us from doing so," said Sielschott.
In the early 1990s, the rising cost of health care was a big issue for not only Sielschott but many of this clients as well. It was at that time that Sielschott became an active member of NFIB working against such health-care mandates. Shortly after, Sielschott was asked to be the chairman of the Lima Area Action Council.
"I've gotten involved actively in the campaigns for pro-small-business political candidates and helped try to make our AAC a group that area politicians and leaders respect and will listen to," said Sielschott.
