David Price celebrates 50 years in tax accounting by continuing to work
Published 11:16 am Wednesday, August 26, 2015
FRANKLIN
Earlier this season, David Price celebrated the 50th year of his life’s work in business. But achieving that marker hasn’t inspired him to even think of retiring. On the contrary, the Certified Public Accountant of Price Tax Accounting LLC in Franklin continues to keep regular hours and has work to do year-round.
What continues to motivate him is his affinity for business and the recognition of the need to work.
Although he’s been involved with the accounting business for 50 years, David Price has made no plans to retire. He maintains his office in downtown Franklin, where he also operates Damo Inc., a limousine service. — Stephen H. Cowles | Tidewater News
“I like business. It’s what drives everything. You’re in business for providing a service, a product. The taking in and going out of money,” Price said.
As far back as his time in the Southampton County Training School, he was interested in the essential components of business such as bookkeeping. Price was in the last class before desegregation, and following graduation in high school in 1963, he went to the Nashville Business School for a couple of years.
“I focused on accounting and got an associate degree and started my own business,” Price said, adding that he spent some time working in Boston, Massachusetts, before Uncle Sam drafted him. Following four years in the Marines, he stayed another two years in Beantown. In 1968, his father had a stroke, so Price returned to help care for him. Even converting a bedroom into an office didn’t bring in enough money, so Price found work at Union Camp.
In 1971, he then went to work at the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office.
“It was good enough to stay for 30 years. We did everything from investigating, jailing and dispatching,” he said. “There were no detectives then. If there was a murder, that’s what you got.”
Accounting was obviously not left by the wayside, but set aside as part-time work.
Many times over the years, Price applied his investigative skills to accounting “and vice-versa … where 2+2 never got to be 4.”
Along the way, he married, and he and Della had two sons, Davis and Dean, the latter of whom went to work for Liberty Tax Service.
In addition to being a member and deacon at Bryant Baptist Church in Courtland, Price belongs to the Masonic Lodge in Waverly and the Marine Corps League, which meets at Fred’s Restaurant or in Suffolk.
As the years have progressed, so too did the equipment and technology for accounting.
“I started out with an adding machine, a pack of carbon paper and a Smith Corona typewriter — it still works,” Price said with a smile. Now, of course, he uses a computer for the tax work. But just in case it ever fails … .
When it comes to helping customers, he’s got a simple plan: “I try to make sure everyone’s paid. No more. No less.”
He’s not been entirely alone in the business. When rapid refunding became available, help was needed and Sandra Willis was available. She’s been invaluable since 1989.
Because Price enjoys working, he’s also found another productive outlet as co-owner of Damo Inc. Limousine Service. Started in 1991 with Moses Wyche, the business gets 1.34 calls per week with five limousines available to take people as far north as Fredericksburg in Virginia, and as far south as Ahoskie, North Carolina.
Price is not above getting behind the wheel and will don a chauffeur’s cap when necessary.
Price Tax Accounting LLC is located at 209 S. Main St., in downtown Franklin. Call 562-7324 or email daptax@verizon.net. To learn more about Damo, call 651-8353 or 377-6403.
