Session Sneak Peek: Brent Watson, CPA

Get to know September Lunch + Learn speaker, Brent Watson, CPA, and join him for his session on Oklahoma Tax Incentives on September 19.

• OSCPA's September Lunch + Learn: Oklahoma Tax Incentives
  September 19 | 11:30 AM | In-Person | Virtual | Recommended CPE Credit: 1 Hour

About Brent Watson, CPA

Watson is the Principal at SALTA, PLLC, which he founded in September 2017 after leaving an international accounting firm. He has more than 30 years of practice in sales tax, property tax, and tax incentive programs.

Throughout his career, Watson has specialized in building systems of compliance and working with clients to educate personnel to simplify and improve sales tax processes and in building rapport with taxing authorities to effectively resolve tax issues on behalf of clients in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Watson launched the non-income tax group at Tyson Foods in 1990 and then led that group for 10 years. He has 13 years of experience as a consultant and has extensive experience in the manufacturing, oil and gas, construction, and multi-state retailing industries.

He has taught seminars for Lorman Education Services, is a frequent speaker for the Oklahoma Society of CPAs and COPAS; and has authored numerous articles in the OSCPA Focus magazine as well as the COPAS Accounts magazine. Watson is a certified Avalara implementation partner and a member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation, Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Tulsa Chapter of the Oklahoma Society.

Q&A with Brent Watson, CPA

OSCPA: Why should members attend your session?
Watson: Businesses are offered strong incentives to expand in or locate new facilities in Oklahoma. This helps our economy to grow. In this session, we will team with the leadership of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to provide a high-level review of the most common incentives. It is important for both CPAs in public practice as well as those working for potentially qualifying industries to know about these opportunities so that you can help your clients or employer be aware of these opportunities. Just maybe, you can influence a business to help our economy grow by investing in our state.

OSCPA: What inspired you to work in tax?
Watson: I really did not intend to work in tax – it was sort of a serendipitous event. When I was finished at the University of Arkansas, I interviewed at Tyson Foods for a cost accounting and a tax position. The Tax Director and I made an instant connection, so I accepted his offer for a job at Tyson. Later, Tyson when needed to develop a sales tax process, they asked me if I knew much about sales tax, to which I responded that I knew “that yes, sales tax is shown at the bottom of the receipt when you check out at Wal-Mart”. Later, that position expanded to include oversight of property tax and business incentive programs.

OSCPA: What do you enjoy most about your current position at SALTA, LLC?
Watson: I enjoy assisting clients with issues that concern them much like a doctor may diagnose and treat a patient. I find satisfaction when we help a client resolve issues that are worrisome and can see that they are now able to rest easier knowing that their concerns have been addressed by putting proper procedures in place, resolving audits, recovering overpaid taxes or helping them utilize tax incentives and other savings that can benefit their companies.

OSCPA: Are there any misconceptions that you believe some CPAs have about taxes/tax incentives that you would like to address?
Watson: Many CPAs are unaware or the significant impact that sales taxes and business incentives have for many businesses. These two areas of tax have the potential to serious damage or even ruin businesses on one end of the scale, or to help businesses grow and thrive. Knowing about these issues can greatly profit your company or your clients’ companies. 

Interested in more CPE sessions taught by Brent Watson, CPA?

Catch his session "Sales Tax Update & Overview for Oklahoma and Texas" at the OSCPA's Oil & Gas Summit on October 24. 

• OSCPA's Oil & Gas Summit  
  October 24 | 8:30 AM | In-Person | Virtual | Recommended CPE Credit: 8 Hours