A changing of the guard of sorts is under way. Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. will be taking on tax services for customers of George F. Maruska, LTD. Starting January 1, 2016, George Maruska will be launching a new company to continue to offer accounting and payroll services, GM Accounting. The change has been a year in the works and last week the companies made their official announcements. (L-R) Steven Licari, CPA, George Maruska, CPA and Nick Licari, CPA.
When most people retire, they head to the beach in Florida or a condo in Texas. Not George Maruska. After more than 35 years in the tax and accounting business, he is retiring—but staying put in Grand Marais. Maruska, whose firm George F. Maruska, LTD has offered accounting, payroll and tax services since 1980, has entered into an agreement with Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. to take over the income tax portion of the business. However, Maruska will continue to offer accounting services.
The Cook County News-Herald caught up with Maruska in his office to ask a few questions about what clients could expect with this new arrangement. Actually, said Maruska, many people won’t notice the change.
Plans have been in the works to join forces with Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. of Duluth for about a year, Maruska explained. In a forthright letter to clients, Maruska explained that he has been dealing with some neurological health issues and that, combined with his age, brought him to the decision to step away from tax preparation.
Knowing that Maruska is an ardent golfer, the News-Herald asked if his health issues had affected his game. “You bet. My game is terrible,” said Maruska, adding with a laugh, “but it always has been.”
Turning serious, Maruska added, “Tax season can be mentally fatiguing. It’s time for a change.”
Maruska recalled that he and his wife Laurel moved to Grand Marais in July 1977, when George was hired as Grand Marais City Clerk to replace departing Gary Brumberg. He was city clerk until being hired as a CPA by Bob Spry. “I’ve enjoyed it,” said Maruska, “but it’s time to retire.”
Well, semi-retire, Maruska acknowledged with another grin. As of January 1, 2016, GM Accounting will open to provide the accounting and payroll services formerly offered by George F. Maruska, LTD.
Kris Smith Johnson will be the manager of the new firm. The staff—Kristen Carlsgaard, Cindy Larsen, Jenny Ford, Mary Kay Fleace, and Kathleen Johnson— will all be the same. Sue Westerlind and Keli Berg will be employees of Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd, but will still do payroll and bookkeeping work for Maruska on contract. Maruska will be available for clients at Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd., if required.
New faces for tax services
Maruska is confident that his tax clients will be comfortable with the staff of Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. He noted that they are also a small firm with a solid history. They have been providing tax services in the Duluth region for 26 years.
In addition, like the Maruska family, they are avid hockey fans. Nick Licari played for the Wisconsin Badgers after graduating from Duluth East, where he played hockey with former Cook County resident Weston Tardy. Marusaka was good friends with Weston’s father, former county engineer Mike Tardy. “They are just a good fit,” said Maruska, “It’s worked out really well.”
Staffers at Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. are Steven Licari, CPA, Partner with 39 years of experience in public accounting; Terry Larsen, CPA, Partner, with 29 years of experience; Matt Licari, with 13 years of experience; Nick Licari, CPA, 8 years of experience; and Judy Morgan and Gina Welsh, who provide additional income tax preparation and administrative support.
In a letter being sent to Maruska’s clients, Steven Licari said his firm has the same goals for clients as Maruska did—to provide knowledgeable tax preparation and consulting services, combined with excellent customer service. “We look forward to assisting you with this transition for your income tax preparation,” Licari wrote. “We believe that the type and quality of service that we can provide you is what you have learned to expect from your current firm.”
Old Library Building
One thing that will change— something that is already happening— will be rearranging of the offices in the George F. Maruska building. Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. will be working in the building’s upper level and GM Accounting will be in the ground floor offices.
Renovation created new office space on the ground level and a new tenant moved in recently, Sherri Moe, MS psychotherapist.
In addition to rearranging office space, the building is getting a new name. The building— when it had only one story—was the Grand Marais Public Library. Some old timers still refer to it as the “old library building,” something Maruska wanted to honor as things were changing.
The George F. Maruska, LTD sign on the outside of the building will be coming down and in its place, a new sign—recognizing the old—will be installed designating the structure as the Old Library Building.
Loading Comments