Meet the Instructors
Want to know more about the instructors who are teaching the accounting, finance and tax courses and virtual educational workshop series? Let's get to know them more.
Tina Gholson has more than 40 years of management experience in payroll and human resources. She has worked in the health care, manufacturing, payroll service bureau and financial services industries. Her most recent role involves managing the payroll department for JACK Entertainment.
For more than 40 years, Gholson has been an active member of the PayrollOrg’s (formerly American Payroll Association) Greater Cleveland Chapter. She is currently the chapter’s vice president and served as its president for two terms. In addition, Gholson served as the chair of the Ohio Conference for Payroll Professionals, the annual Ohio statewide payroll conference.
In 2015, PayrollOrg awarded Gholson the Meritorious Service Award, and she was inducted into the APA Hall of Fame for her contributions to the association and the payroll profession. She is currently an instructor for the PayrollOrg Pay Train program at Tri-C’s Corporate College.
What do you like about your field/industry?
I actually fell into payroll while working in HR as a Generalist. I found that I loved the variety of work – no 2 days are ever the same, the problem solving aspects, and helping people to understand their paychecks and educating them in financial literacy is important. Most people do not understand how their pay is calculated and what taxes must be withheld and remitted by their employer. Since tax laws are always evolving it requires me to stay abreast of these changes and continue to educate myself so that I am able to be effective in my job.
What is one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out?
One piece of advice that I would give someone just starting out is to connect with others in the industry. Create a network of other professionals that you can reach out to when something comes up that you are not familiar with – having these people in your community will be beneficial long term to you and will help you grow in your profession.
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Maureen has worked in payroll for more than 20 years. She received her BBA Management and Labor Relations with a Concentration in Human Resources from Cleveland State University. Podnar has processed payrolls for healthcare, manufacturing, and construction and is currently working for Sotera Health Services as a senior payroll administrator.
Podnar is an active member of The Greater Cleveland Payroll Chapter where she had the roles of membership co-coordinator and chapter coordinator. Podnar was also a board member of the committee for Ohio Conference for Payroll Professionals.
Podnar holds three certifications: Certified Payroll Professional, Professional in Human Resources and SHRM CP. She is an instructor for PayrollOrg Pay Train program and The Greater Cleveland Local Study group for FPC and CPP exams.
What do you like about your field/industry?
Payroll is never stagnant. Payroll is ever-changing.
What is one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out?
They should join the Greater Cleveland Payroll Chapter
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Tom Stephens is an enrolled agent and has been in the tax industry since 2009. He specializes in small business tax returns, inclusive of Schedule C/Sole Proprietorships, LLC’s, Partnerships and S-Corps. Stephens also specializes in cryptocurrency returns and is well versed in individual tax returns and their various schedules. He had a 15-year career in small business banking and development for a few northeast Ohio banks prior to following the route to entrepreneurship himself. Stephens received his Master’s of Science in Management from Oakland City University (IN) and his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Ohio University.
Stephens is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), the National Notary Association (NNA), the American Legion, the Navy Supply Corps Foundation, and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). He sits on the board of directors for the State of Ohio NATP chapter and the Greater Cleveland chapter board of directors for NAEA. He also sits on the board of directors for Westside Koinonia as well as on the board for the Athletic Hall of Fame committee for the Olmsted Falls Schools Endowment and Alumni Association.
What do you like about your field/industry?
Helping people in a time of need and growing with them.
What is one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out?
Seek mentorship, know that you don't know everything and never will, join professional organizations for professional development and networking.
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