Stephanie M. Higginbotham, CPA

As a shareholder in Darnall, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick, Stephanie has developed a significant specialization in counseling closely-held businesses.  Her clients have relied on her for business consulting and tax planning for over twenty years.  Over the years, her client base has included manufacturers, oilfield service companies, restaurants, wholesalers, construction companies, farming operations, and professional service organizations.

A member of the Consulting Services Section and Information Technology Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Stephanie's insight and business acumen have helped many entrepreneurs establish successful enterprises, from entity selection and financing to the sale of their business.  As director of the Tax Department for the firm, she is particularly interested in giving detailed attention to tax planning throughout the business cycle.  She has worked closely with family businesses in developing appropriate succession plans to ensure the organization's continued success.  She has been called upon to assist in the evaluation of new business ventures and in negotiating the sale or purchase of businesses.  She also has a great deal of experience in working with troubled businesses in debt restructuring and in working with the Internal Revenue Service.

As a licenses securities professional, having obtained her NASD Series 7 and NASAA Series 66 licenses, Stephanie assists the firm's clients with their financial and investing needs.  She is a member of the firm's Financial Services committee and is a registered representative with 1st Global Capital Corporation.*

Stephanie graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Southwestern Louisiana, now University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  She is a member of the University's Alumni Association, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts, and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

^*Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Investment Advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc.  Registered representatives may only conduct business with residents of the states in which they are properly registered.  This is not an offer to sell securities in any other jurisdiction.