NAME OF PERSON FEATURED: D. B. “Bert” Gray, CPA, MBA

NAME OF BUSINESS: Gray and Co.

ADDRESS: 14579 Five Forks Road, Windsor

PHONE: 242-3830

EMAIL: dbgray@hughes.net

OPERATING HOURS: Being self-employed, my hours are can to can’t — just like a farmer

NATURE OF THE BUSINESS: Accounting firm specializing in income tax, working for the client with the IRS in offers in compromise or collections, business valuation, litigation support and bankruptcy support

OWNER: Victoria Gray, the Gray of Gray and Co.; I’m her company

YEAR FOUNDED: 1964

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Two

ONE THING YOU WISH EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT OUR BUSINESS: We put ourselves in the customer’s shoes. When you do that, it’s amazing how much value you bring to the situation. Also, we will prepare your 2008 income taxes for free if you are a new client.

SOMETHING YOU OFFER THAT A CUSTOMER WON’T FIND ELSEWHERE: 44 years in accounting, 34 as a certified public accountant. I am an expert in business valuation, having been designated as “Accredited in Business Valuations” and “Certified in Financial Forensics” by the American Institute of CPAs, an “Accredited Senior Appraiser” by the American Society of Appraisers, and as a “Certified Business Appraiser” by the Institute of Business Appraisers.

ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE: An education is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you.

YOUR FIRST JOB: Setting type for a small weekly newspaper in Louisiana

YOUR ROLE MODEL (IN BUSINESS OR IN LIFE GENERALLY): My wife, because she taught me what unconditional love truly is