970.498.4960


Diane Q. Vaughn, MS, CPA

Because of her public accounting background, Diane has extensive experience with a wide variety of business types.  Her business clients have included restaurants, construction companies, law firms, financial planners, medical/dental and veterinary practices, chiropractors, physical therapists, plumbers, traders (with and without a mark-to-market election), retail stores, real estate brokers, rental real estate companies, software consultants, homeowner’s associations, property management companies, retail stores and other assorted service businesses.

After receiving her Masters degree in 1994, she expanded her knowledge in the taxation area (tax planning, research, and compliance for individuals and businesses). In addition to providing taxation services, Diane consults with clients regarding their accounting systems to help them generate accurate financial reports to enable them to make the decisions that are crucial to the success of their business.

Diane's philosophy revolves around personal attention to each and every client, with a special interest in tax planning and minimizing tax liability. By taking the time to know you and your specific situation, she can apply her knowledge, experience and integrity to benefit you in ways you will truly appreciate.

Professional License

Diane was certified with the Colorado State Board of Accountancy in 1996:  Individual Registration No. 16463, Firm Registration No. 12746.  See what it takes to become a CPA and to maintain a CPA license in Colorado.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN,  1984 (Concordia is a private, coeducational, four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.)

  • Masters of Science in Business Administration, Taxation Emphasis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 1994

Publications

Published in the April 1996 issue of National Public Accountant, “Get Out Your Crystal Ball!  Do Practitioners Have a Duty to Predict Retroactive Tax Legislation?"  This article was adapted from her Colorado State University thesis.

U.S. v. Carlton (92-1941), 512 U.S. 26 (1994), one of 1994's most closely-watched tax cases, was handed down by the United States Supreme Court on June 13, 1994.  At issue was a 1987 congressional amendment retroactively limiting the availability of an estate tax deduction for sales of employer securities to employee stock ownership plans.  The case received intense scrutiny because of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (1993 Tax Compromise) enacted in August 1993 which raised estate and income taxes retroactively back to January 1, 1993.  The passage of the 1993 Tax Compromise renewed the public outrage and the interminable debate surrounding the constitutionality of retroactive taxes.

The Carlton decision attempted to further clarify Congress' power to enact retroactive legislation.

 
 

Member:  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national, professional organization for all Certified Public Accountants. Its mission is to provide members with the resources, information, and leadership that enable them to provide valuable services in the highest professional manner to benefit the public as well as employers and clients.