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Steven J. Browning, CPA
President
Prior to starting his own state and local tax (SALT) consulting practice, Steve was a senior manager and co-leader in the Seattle, Washington SALT practice of an international accounting firm. With fifteen years of experience in federal, state, and local tax consulting and compliance services, Steve has spent the last twelve years specializing exclusively in state and local taxation.
During his career, Steve has handled all aspects of state and local taxation including research and analysis, planning and compliance, tax refund and credit studies, due diligence reviews, and SALT audit and appeal representation. Steve has advised many businesses in practically every industry on state and local tax matters. One of Steve's greatest assets is the breadth and depth of state and local tax knowledge he has developed over the course of his career, understanding not only Washington state's tax system but also the tax systems of the other state and local jurisdictions throughout the country. The strategies he has helped implement and services he has provided have generated significant savings and cash refunds for his clients.
Steve co-authored the state tax section of the guidebook Starting & Operating a Business in Washington, published by The Oasis Press. While with E&Y, he was considered the firm expert on the Washington high technology research and development credit and the primary tax contact for questions related to Alaska and Idaho. He also spent considerable time in Utah serving the firm's Utah clients. He is a regular speaker on state and local tax matters.
As a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, Steve has served for many years on the WSCPA's Tax Committee. He also enjoys teaching highschool students important financial principles as time permits.
MACC, Tax Emphasis, Brigham Young University (1991)
Sharon Cramer
Consultant
Sharon Cramer joined Browning, PS, three years ago. She uses her twelve years' experience in state taxes to conduct sales/use and Business and Occupation tax credit audits, audit defense, multi-state voluntary disclosure agreements, multi-state tax registrations, and high technology and manufacturing tax deferrals.
Before joining Browning, PS, Sharon was a manager in the SALT practice of Ernst & Young LLP, where she worked for three years. She managed sales/use tax credit refund requests, conducted multi-state sales/use and income/franchise tax analysis, and provided excise tax audit defense and voluntary disclosure services. She also prepared curriculum for and helped teach all-day Washington tax seminars.
Prior to her work at Ernst & Young, Sharon worked as a Washington Department of Revenue excise tax auditor for six years. While at the state, she conducted comprehensive Business and Occupation and sales/use tax audits in all industries including high technology, retail, distribution, printing, telecommunication, manufacturing, construction, and service industries. She also participated in the Business Outreach program and served on the Simplified Reporting Quality Team.
One of Sharon's greatest assets is her comprehensive experience working as both a tax consultant and as a state auditor. She uses her inside knowledge of, and excellent ongoing relationship with, the Washington State Department of Revenue to facilitate and maximize tax savings for her clients. She applies the insights gained with the Washington Department of Revenue to navigate smoothly through other state Revenue Departments as well.
BS, Accounting—Central Washington University (1992)
BA, Biology—Whitman College (1982)
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