Community Highlights: Meet Kendra Sorensen of Merivine Accounting Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Sorensen.

Hi Kendra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Honestly, I never thought I would end up in the accounting and finance world. Even though my father is a CPA and started his own practice in the early 80s, I always thought he just sat behind a desk all day and crunched numbers. Little did I know he was more social than I was with all the clients coming in and out, sharing stories, and catching him up on their personal lives. I began to wonder how he got all his work done with all the visits!

Even during tax season, working from the kitchen counter or a folding table with many late nights, he never missed any important events his kids were involved in. He made entrepreneurship look easy even when it wasn’t and he made it desirable. When I entered college, I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember being so overwhelmed. I was asked by a guidance counselor what one thing I wanted to make sure my career included and I remember saying “I just want to help people”.

My mother had been a nurse for years before entering ministry so I decided to jump into the sciences and try it out. I quickly realized that, although it definitely was a compassionate and giving career choice, it wasn’t for me. My father suggested that I focus on getting a business degree and try out different types of business courses to see what I excelled in and what I didn’t find much passion in.

He told me that there are so many options with a business degree and I could use it in many ways. I never thought I would ever take another accounting course again after my senior year of high school yet here I was, getting a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in accounting and finance. Over the next few years, After graduating in 2008, I worked at a government contracting company in HR while obtaining my MBA.

Fast forward a few more years, as I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, my father called asking for some assistance at his CPA firm and that was the start of my accounting journey. I started in 2014 very part-time helping him as much as I could while also trying to figure out how to be a new mom.

Over the years he trained me, he guided me, he taught me not only how to be a successful and quality accountant but also how to become more confident in my abilities and my education. Of course, I had the classroom time and the book knowledge from my degrees which helped but I would not have made it this far without my father coming alongside me, making me an apprentice to learn exactly what a CPA knows and does, tutoring me and educating me far beyond what anyone could ever learn inside a classroom.

He also showed me how helping others doesn’t have to come from a medical career or a mission trip or volunteering, etc. He showed me, through his own practice, that serving others by helping small businesses and families is just as impactful and rewarding. I am so grateful to be able to come alongside his firm and serve even more small business owners and families around the valley and virtually around the United States.

My vision for Merivine Accounting Services has always been to offer CPA-level services at a fraction of the cost by filling in the gap between what other bookkeeper practices offer and what CPA firms offer. Offering a wide range of services that fit any small business budget so that businesses can get back to what they truly enjoy doing with confidence that their books, payroll, and taxes are being taken care of.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’d be lying if I said my path was linear and smooth, but I believe that’s how it is for any entrepreneur. Success is never linear. You will have failures and challenges on your way to the top but I look at them as opportunities for growth and a crucial part of my future success.

I was blessed to be placed in a spot where I could learn directly from a successful CPA with over 35 years in the field, learning not only the practice and application of accounting but also running a business. I know my journey will have ups and downs as I continue to grow and I look forward to these opportunities for further growth, both in character and in practice.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Merivine Accounting Services, LLC.?
Merivine Accounting Services was created with small businesses in mind and for most, CPA firms are just too costly. Recording of transactions and monthly reports might not be (and probably are not) the only need of the business… but at what cost are these extra services to a small business owner?

That’s where Merivine comes in. We want to “bridge the gap” in order to offer more services to our clients without the hefty price tag to go along with it. Some of the services Merivine offers include recording transactions, monthly reconciliations, monthly financial statements, payroll services (including filing quarterly tax returns), sales tax, and more.

Our mission: serve small businesses and families with quality bookkeeping and accounting services, customized to your specific needs.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
As an Arizona native, I’d say our city is pretty awesome. I was born and raised right here in Ahwatukee, AZ along with my husband, although we didn’t meet until college. As much as this may be an unpopular opinion, I actually love the heat over winter. Boating and swimming are some of my family’s favorite things to do in the Phoenix area with Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake not too far.

Phoenix also has so many fun water parks and splash pad areas for kids as well as some exciting parks that my kids enjoy. There is also great hiking nearby and if you’re an avid golfer, lots of great courses to play. If you like the feel of downtown you won’t be disappointed in Downtown Phoenix. They have so many great restaurants and events year-round you are sure to find something you like.

I don’t dislike much in this city so if I had to say something I would say I hate the sand from Monsoon storms, although monsoon season is one of my favorite seasons as the storms are incredible to watch roll in. Just make sure when that sand storm hits you are inside or you’ll be smiling with sand in your teeth for a week.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.merivine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merivineaccounting/