Tax Quarry

Ashley Wicks, a true Southern Belle, is a fourth year associate in the Private Client Services and Business Advisory practice group at Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis P.A.  Ashley’s practice includes providing advice to clients on federal, state and local taxation issues, corporate finance deals and general business and corporate transactions.  Ashley has developed a niche practice advising clients about new markets tax credits used to provide capital to projects geared towards the low-income community.  In addition, her tax advisory practice also includes IRS collection matters, tax controversy work, overseeing state tax audits, as well as providing her research expertise to answer complex tax questions.    

What is the best part of your job?

I enjoy doing work that allows me to be creative and delve into the Tax Code in order to answer really complex tax questions.  For example, when I worked on a lien collection matter for a client and I was able to craft a resolution that the client was able to live with, it felt really rewarding.   When a client gets a notice from the IRS, it is really nice to be in a position where you can help them to satisfactorily resolve the issue and relieve their stress. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Balance.  In my area of practice you have to get used to the fact that everything that the client brings to you is an emergency.  When you have multiple clients with emergencies at the same time, you tend to drop everything so that you can assist them as quickly as possible.  I constantly have to remind myself to carve some personal time out so that I can respond to these emergencies with a clear and open mind. 

What do you do with the personal time that you are able to carve out?

I enjoy reading romance novels: Kimani Press Arabesque is one of my favourite series.  

I also must confess that I am a reality TV follower.  I like to watch Single Ladies and Real House Wives of Atlanta.  Outside of that, I always try to spend time with my parents, my sister and my friends.  I value my close personal relationships and try to invest as much time as I can to maintain them.   

Are you a member of any organizations?

I am active in a lot of organizations.  ABA and NBA are two organizations where I am really active.  My view is that it is important to be a part of something that is greater than myself.  Involvement in these organizations allow me to do that.

If you could have dinner with any person in history who would it be? Why?

I would have to say, Tupac Shakur.  I like reading his interviews because he always has something interesting to say.  He is very deep.  One of the quotes I find intriguing, he says:  “I am not saying that I am going to change the world, but I am saying that I am going to spark the mind that does change the world”.  It makes you think.  Tupac died before he had an opportunity to mature into his greatness.  He has or had a lot of power with his words, and I do not think that he truly had an opportunity to harness this power.

If you knew that you would be stranded on an island tomorrow morning, what one thing would you bring with you?

My iPhone.  Without my iPhone I couldn’t text my friends, search for directions or talk to my Mom – and I definitely can’t go a day without talking to my mom.

Describe yourself in three words or less.

Ambitious.  Charismatic. Creative.

To learn more about Ashley and her practice, feel free to contact her by email at [email protected] or by phone at (601) 949-4828.  Ashley will be happy to assist you with any business or tax related issue that you may have.

Written by Marsha Henry