Who We Are

Our History

During the 15 years of practice, Blair & Associates, Inc. has helped numerous small business clients and individuals accomplish their financial goals. The experienced team at Blair & Associates, Inc. have become trusted advisors to many small business clients, and good friends with many. We have a solid client roster; the vast majority of our business is Carroll County based. Our client base continues to grow. With Blair & Associates, Inc., you will find extensive experience in the following industries: Construction, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Restaurants, Professional Services, Non Profit Organizations, and Retail establishments. We are committed to providing tailored services across a wide range of tax, accounting, financial planning, and business advisory needs to achieve each client’s unique financial goals. Our success is based on our clients knowing that we are always available to them and that they are very important to us – especially during challenging economic times.

Because we want our clients to know that they can call on us with any and all of their financial concerns, we have developed the motto ''Financial Advice You Can Trust.” Clients are encouraged to call us when they have a major life event, such as a new job, a baby, a marriage or divorce, or if they are planning to buy a new home or start their own business. We also encourage our clients to call us with more common everyday questions, such as: ''How should I invest within my 401(k) or 403(b) plan?'', ''How can I reduce my taxes?'', ''What advice can you offer on refinancing my home?'', or ''How can I maximize my Flex Spending Account, Cafeteria Plan or Section 125 Plan at work?''

We take pride in knowing each client’s financial potential as well as their risks and then guiding them to financial fulfillment. Our fees are based on the actual time involved in meeting with you in person or over the phone, researching and analyzing your current situation, and providing specific recommendations and implementation assistance (if appropriate).

Call us today to schedule a complimentary one hour consultation. Let’s plan your financial journey together. Remember: ''You don't have to have a fortune to start building one.''

Who We Are

Michael T. Blair, CPA, CFP
Michael was born and raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia and grew up on the family orchard known as Rosemary Orchards. After completing high school, Michael attended West Virginia University from 1980–1984, and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting. After college, Michael has worked for several large local Certified Public Accounting firms in the Mid Atlantic area. Michael has over twenty years of experience in the accounting, tax, financial planning, and business consulting fields.

In 1988, Michael achieved his Certified Public Accountant certificate and in 1992, he received his Certified Financial Planner certification. In 1994, Michael decided to open his own practice, and after 15 years the practice, Blair & Associates, Inc. is going strong. In 1997, Michael decided to concentrate the practice area to the small businesses and the individual owners of Carroll County. Michael has lived in Manchester, Maryland with his wife, Kim, and his three children, Ashley, Megan, and Jack, for more than sixteen years. Michael enjoys playing tennis, golf and spending time with the kids at their various sporting (Tennis, Soccer, Lacrosse, and Baseball) and school events. Michael is a member of Grace Bible Church in Manchester, Maryland and is a member of the Missions Committee.

Susan E. Slowinski, CPA
Susan was born and raised in Trenton, Michigan. In 1989, she received a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in English from The University of Toledo in Ohio and went on to teach English in middle and high schools in Ohio and Michigan. In 1991, she received a Masters Degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University and moved to Houston, Texas to teach in the elementary schools. In 1997, she passed the CPA exam and began working in Maryland at a variety of public accounting firms as well as in industry. Her public accounting experience ranges from small public accounting firms to large local accounting firms. Outside of public accounting, she has accounting experience in the mutual fund industry, broadcasting, construction, manufacturing, restaurants, non-profits, retail, and professional services. Susan joined Blair & Associates, Inc. in 2006 and has just passed the Certified Financial Planners exam.

Sue Tarrant
Susan Tarrant was born and raised in Sykesville, Maryland. After completing high school, she traveled with her Air Force husband for 8 years. She remained a homemaker until their two children completed elementary school. She volunteered in the school system and was a substitute teacher in the 1980’s. Being involved in the school system introduced her to the many uses of computer programs. Sue began working for Blair & Associates, Inc. part time, as a copy person and file clerk in 1996, and has continued to gain skills leading to data entry, payrolls, payroll returns, etc. She continues part time, as her other life is at a volunteer fire department in Carroll County serving as Treasurer. She is also President of the auxiliary to the fire department.

Diane M Bixler
Diane was born and raised in Carroll County, Maryland. Her education focused on business administration and customer service. She was employed at London Fog as a senior account executive handling the largest account the company had for twenty years until the business operations were moved to Seattle, Washington. Diane joined Blair & Associates Inc. in 2001 as office manager. She and her husband ran their own successful heating & cooling company for over ten years. Diane enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, John.

Meet Michael Blair

As the Principal at Blair & Associates, Inc. I take pride in knowing each client’s financial potential and then guiding them to financial fulfillment. I learned from a young age that through hard work and dedication, you can be successful in anything you attempt. I grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia on our family orchard known as Rosemary Orchards. After completing high school, I attended West Virginia University and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting. I then went to work for several local CPA firms in the Mid Atlantic area. In 1988, I received my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, and in 1992, I received the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

I took a huge, successful leap and started my own firm in 1994. I’m proud to say that Blair & Associates, Inc. is going strong. I live in Manchester, Maryland with my wife, Kim, and our three children, Ashley, Megan, and Jack. We have loved living in Carroll County for more than sixteen years. I enjoy playing tennis and golf, and I enjoy spending time with the kids at their various sporting events (tennis, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball) and school events. I am also a member of Grace Bible Church in Manchester, Maryland, and a member of the Missions Committee. Thank you for considering Blair & Associates, Inc. We promise to provide financial advice you can trust.

Core Values

• Personal Integrity
• Trusted Advisors
• Personal Attention
• Timely and Professional Work

Industries

The types of companies that benefit from the expertise of Blair & Associates, Inc. are...

Construction

The construction industry has many distinct business issues such as job costing, labor burden rates, overhead allocation rates, workers compensation issues, safety issues, bonding insurance and many others. The function of the accounting system is to record business transactions but the bi product of accounting is to provide management with timely and accurate information with which to make informed business decisions. In today’s very competitive construction market, access to timely and accurate accounting information may be the difference between profit and loss.

Real Estate

Developers, brokers, real estate investors have very specific accounting and tax requirements including but not limited to passive activity loss rules, capitalized development costs, settlement costs, and capital gains vs. ordinary income. The complex and often conflicting requirements demand that clients in this industry have a CPA experienced in these matters.

Manufacturing

Our personnel have gained an in-depth knowledge of manufacturers and an understanding of manufacturing processes, as well as the related cost accounting systems which provides us the insight and ability to interpret management and production reporting information. Our professionals also have extensive experience with the unique income and property tax provisions related to manufacturers.

Restaurants

Our firm has many restaurants as clients, from the fast food franchise to the Mom & Pop sit down eatery. These clients depend on us to know all of the many issues that are unique to this industry such as teenage worker laws, tips reporting, TIPS credits, sales and amusement tax reporting, and the various management ratios for food and labor costs.

Non Profit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations provide a variety of integral services to the community. At the same time, their activities are constantly scrutinized by government agencies, politicians, contributors, supporters, and patrons. There are numerous factors that contribute to the success of a nonprofit organization: a clearly defined mission, sufficient fundraising and revenue generation, great leadership, and a dedicated group of volunteers and staff. But without properly executed financial management, the nonprofit may do little more than survive.

Professional Services

From architects to insurance agents, engineers to graphic designers, we believe there is more to providing professional services than practicing your craft. It is also running a business for greater efficiency and profitability. We can help with expertise that goes beyond traditional accounting and tax services. Can you speed up your billing and collection process? How do you answer clients requesting compensation by fee rather than billable time? Are there more efficient ways to use your staff that would free you up to pursue new business? Let us help you reap more rewards from your professional practice.

Health Services

Blair & Associates, Inc. has been serving health-related companies and organizations for more than twenty years. We provide accounting, tax and consulting services to medical practices, senior care facilities and social-cause nonprofits. We can also help to create better management structures, cost control and reimbursement systems. We are fully experienced with the additional reporting needs of providers of health services who get reimbursement from federal, state and local agencies.

Automotive Services

Automotive services industry has been a staple of our clients successes for many years. These businesses provide much needed services to almost everyone. From the franchise car care center to pre-owned car dealerships to the independent repair shops, Blair & Associates, Inc. has the experience and knowledge to help these businesses grow and prosper. The many management aspects of the automotive industry include but are not limited to: employee management and productivity, financial analysis of product and services lines, product and service pricing, and cost control.

Tree, Landscape, and Lawn Services

The tree, landscape and lawn services usually have many of the same types of business and management challenges such as finding good employees, inconsistent levels of work, equipment intensive business, workers compensation and safety issues, payroll and employee benefits issues. Blair & Associates can help find the right mix of solutions to all of these challenges.

Testimonials

Here's why these companies use Blair & Associates, Inc.

"What I like the most is Michael's accessibility. It is a compliment to him that he hires and surrounds himself with competent people. He is certainly my personal CPA for my business and for my personal life. But I'm not his only customer. I know that when I call, whether I'm talking to Michael Blair or a member of his staff, I'm in good hands. I love the attitudes and the skill at Blair and Associates, Inc."
- Ronald Marinelli, Dolch & Associates

"Some time ago the fire department needed a good CPA to get the books back on track and to tackle Federal tax issues. It is unbelievable what Michael Blair did. He cleaned things up - he put us in compliance with the IRS, which made them happy. And we didn't have to pay any penalties, which made us happy. Now, Michael continually checks our books to ensure that for each year-end report we are where we are supposed to be."
- Dennis Beard, Sykesville Volunteer Fire Department

"Michael Blair does everything for us - and at very fair price. Michael is always there when I call him, and he and his staff members go beyond the basics. They help us find new mortgages for our home; they have found banking services, insurance providers and so much more - and I'm certain he gets us the best prices. He has been working for us for more than four years and his work is invaluable."
- Patrick Stansbury, Stansbury Tree Service

"Michael Blair and his team are savvy about all the different accounting software programs. In fact, Michael is passionate about accounting - he stays current with the industry and its trends so I value his expertise and his professionalism. Michael is approachable and thorough - and over the years, we have developed a great friendship. Many of our sound business decisions are often mixed in with a good game of golf."
- Dominic Montiel, R&M Manufacturing

"The biggest joy about working with Michael Blair is that there is no hooha. Michael gets right to the point, and he knows technology. My degree is in finance, but I consider him an executive consultant. I know I don't have to fret with anything about payroll or getting loans or tax planning because of his expertise. Our business relationship started back in 1995 when I was working out of my basement. And as this company has boomed, I have been ecstatic with Michael Blair's realistic, effective approach. We have always worked well together."
- David Oleksik, MJO Services, LLC