J. Stephen Gardes, CPA, CVA

Steve is a partner in the firm having over 35 years of accounting experience with a specialization in management and tax consulting services.  Prior to joining the firm in 2004, Steve served as Managing Partner of J. S. Gardes & Company for 20 years.  With an emphasis in management consulting, buying and selling of businesses, asset protection, income and estate tax planning, business valuations, and litigation support, Steve's expertise and creative business insight is relied upon by many of his clients in their daily decisions.

In addition to being a CPA, Steve has earned the accreditation of CVA (Certified Valuation Analysts). This is an indication of the highest level of capability and expertise, which one can obtain in the field of business valuation and related areas.

Professionally, Steve has served as President of the Lafayette Chapter of CPA's, board member of the Louisiana Society of CPA's,  and as chairman of the Louisiana CPA Financial Planning Committee.  Steve has longstanding memberships in both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.  In the Lafayette community, his contributions included Secretary/Treasurer and Board member of the United Way, Board Member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, State Treasurer of Louisiana Jaycees, Treasurer of Our Lady of Fatima School Foundation, and member of the Visions Committee for the Lafayette Parish School System, the St. Pius Elementary School Building Committee, and the Board of Governors of City Club of Lafayette.

Steve is a 1971 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) receiving his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting.  He achieved his CPA certificate in 1974 and his CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst) certificate in 1998.