CUROSH LAW GROUP, PLLC
12434 N. 62nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-4420
Phone (480) 315-1010
Fax (877) 807-9912
Updates
Why Tim Moran and Bill Curosh have parted ways
Short Version:
Rent is the 2nd biggest expense to a law firm (wages are #1). Rent rates have dropped about in ½ since the “great recession”. The Curosh Law Group, PLLC, has been paying rent to Private Client LLC (Tim Moran), that is far in excess of “market rates” for a long time.
Referrals from Private Client Group, Tim’s financial planning business, to the Curosh Law Group, PLLC have been few.
The Curosh Law Group, PLLC asked for a rent reduction. Tim essentially told The Curosh Law Group, PLLC to get out. See email attached.
Our new location is:
12434 N. 62nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-315-1010 or 480-699-6244
Long Version:
For many years Dan Miller owned ½ of Curosh & Williams, Ltd., CPA’s, and I owned ½. Dan was legally committed to purchase my ½ when I was ready to retire. In the beginning of 2008, Dan let it be known that he did not wish to do that.
At the same time, Tim Moran, a “financial planner”, doing business as Private Client Group, wanted to purchase an accounting practice so he could offer accounting and tax services to his clients.
Ken Davis, an employee of Tim’s and a long time friend of mine, put Tim and I together at lunch.
In an around about transaction, requested by Dan Miller’s attorney, and because Tim Moran is not a CPA, we ended up with a new accounting firm (Private Client Group Tax & Consulting, LLC) owned ½ by Tim Moran and ½ by Marcy Curosh. The new accounting firm was required to move to Scottsdale where Tim practiced. I was required to work at the new firm for at least 2 years, beginning September 16, 2008. Because of that commitment, I also moved my law practice to Scottsdale.
Tim Moran unilaterally picked out the space and signed a multi year lease at about $3X per square foot. I was taken back because we had been paying only $18 per square foot at our prior location on 16th Street. Tim assured me that it would all work out, because:
1) Tim would be referring at least one estate planning case to my law practice each month, and;
2) would grow the accounting practice by:
a. Referring all of his financial planning clients to the accounting practice.
b. Purchasing the accounting firm of Pat Lloyd and Tyler Heyman (who were already at the new Scottsdale office and leasing space from Tim).
c. Getting accounting clients from other financial planners that he knew.
d. Purchasing additional accounting practices
e. Getting back tax clients from “Steve” a specific accountant to whom he had referred many clients over the years.
The accounting staff moved to Scottsdale, into Tim’s space, in September, 2008.
Myself
Marcy
Dan Miller, CPA
Brenda Temerowski, EA
Tim decided not to hire Joy Largent our long time receptionist. He instead hired Silia Maafu, the wife of a rugby player on his (Tim’s) team.
We hired Marina Karpoukhina, EA, who had worked for Dan and I before, in anticipation of all of the business Tim was going to bring to the accounting firm.
What happened next was:
The economy went down.
Stocks went down by 50%
Real Estate values went down by 50%
Rents in our building went from about $3X per square foot down to about $18 per square foot (of course, Tim was locked into the multi year lease).
Tim did not buy the accounting firm of Pat Lloyd and Tyler Heyman. In fact, after about 9 months he kicked them out with very little notice.
Tim did not bring back the clients that he had referred to Steve, the CPA.
Tim did not refer significant clients to the accounting firm from his financial planning business.
Tim did not refer significant clients to the accounting firm from other financial planners.
Tim did not buy another accounting firm.
[Tim did not refer “one estate planning client per month” to my law firm. During my 38 months there I did a total of about 8 estate plans for clients of Tim.]
Tim had Silia fired.
Tim on October 18, 2010 purchased (but has not yet paid for) the second ½ of the firm.
Tim and Dan Miller “parted ways” as of 12/31/10.
Tim fired Marcy in January, 2011.
Tim fired me as of 10/27/2011.
The heart of an accounting firm is its professional staff. In my opinion; Tim “dismantled” the heart of the old Curosh & Williams, Ltd. CPA firm. A firm that had been serving its clients well for over 20 years.
As of this writing (November, 2011) the only full time employee of Tim’s accounting firm “Private Client Group Tax & Consulting, LLC” is Marina Karpoukhina, EA. There are no CPA’s left. There is no one with an accounting degree. There is no receptionist. There is no support staff.
The most recent event was:
Tim said he would be offering me an employment contract with his accounting firm for 2012, but that he was most likely going to have to offer me less money.
I wrote him an email in October, 2011 and asked for a reduction (to current market rates) in the rent he was charging The Curosh Law Group, PLLC.
Tim replied in an email dated October 12, 2011 (copy attached) and essentially said: no rent reduction and by the way – get out.
Thus, I will be practicing both law and accounting via the Curosh Law Group, PLLC, which is now located at:
12434 N. 62nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
You can reach us at:
480-315-1010 (telephone) or 480-699-6244
877-807-9912 (fax)
Marcy Curosh – office administrator
Mary Taylor – paralegal
Maryann Bowen – legal assistant
Margaret Bidwell – collections and invoicing
Stephanie Osburn – office assistant
Neta Magnussen who was previously with Curosh & Williams, Ltd CPA’s has rejoined us and will be preparing income taxes with me.
We are fully staffed and able to take care of all of your tax, accounting and legal needs.
