Shannon M. Allison

Tax Shareholder

Shannon Allison is a shareholder and director of the tax practice at Harper Pearson. She brings 18 years of experience in public accounting. Since joining the firm in 2005, she assists individuals and closely-held businesses in matters involving tax planning and compliance. Her experience includes advising high net worth individuals, trusts, family limited partnerships, and tax-exempt organizations. Shannon also works closely with international clients guiding them through the intricacies of the U.S tax system.

Shannon has a Master of Professional Accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. She’s a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and other professional organizations.

Cindy M. Beardall

Tax Shareholder

Cindy Beardall is a shareholder, vice president and treasurer at Harper Pearson. She works with a variety of domestic and international businesses and individuals providing assistance with tax planning and compliance, IRS examination management and representation, and financial and business consulting. She has experience managing engagements for public companies, middle market privately held businesses, high net worth individuals, professional service firms, trusts and estates.

A graduate of the University of Houston, Cindy began her career with Harper Pearson before joining Service Corporation International in 1995, where she held a number of positions in the trust department, tax department and operations. She rejoined Harper Pearson in 2003 and was admitted as a shareholder in 2008. Cindy is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas, and is active in a number of professional associations. She’s also a member of the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

Patrick Buckley

Director, Advisory

Pat Buckley serves as an advisory director in Harper Pearson's audit practice. Pat is a retired Shareholder who previously served as director of the employee benefit plan practice during his 35 years of service to the Firm.

A graduate of the University of Houston, he is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas. Pat is active in a variety of professional organizations including the Texas Society of CPAs and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He serves his community on the board of the Woods Project and as chairman of the Walk for the Woods Project. He’s also a member of the Holy Rosary Parish.

Kelley Cooney

Assurance Shareholder

Kelley Cooney is a shareholder and director of assurance and advisory practice at Harper Pearson. Joining the firm in 2002, Kelley provides clients with a wide range of services including audits, reviews, compilations and agreed-upon procedures for various industries. Kelley’s core focus is on serving the needs of manufacturing, distribution, construction and service companies.

Kelley has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. She’s a Certified Public Accountant in Texas, as well as an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Donna Haim

Tax Shareholder

Donna Haim is a shareholder in the tax practice at Harper Pearson. She works with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, partnerships and tax-exempt organizations—helping them make strong tax decisions. Donna also provides tax planning and compliance support for a variety of Houston-area individuals and businesses.

A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Donna is active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Houston CPA Society. She previously served on various AICPA's Technical Resources Panels where she advised the IRS on tax legislative and regulatory developments and was a frequent contributor to Tax Adviser.

C. Trent Halsell

Assurance Shareholder

C. Trent Halsell is a shareholder, in the assurance and advisory practice and Private Equity Practice Leader at Harper Pearson. Trent brings 30 years of experience in public accounting and industry positions. His diverse skill set includes accounting, finance, auditing, tax reporting, human resources, information technology, acquisitions, divestitures, and regulatory compliance. His experience spans public accounting and industry positions in manufacturing and service companies.

Trent has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Baylor University. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas, as well as an active member of the American Institute of Certified Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. He’s also a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Stephen A. Palmerton

Director, Assurance & Tax

Stephen A. Palmerton serves as a director in Harper Pearson's audit & tax practice. He provides clients with mission-critical guidance on audit and tax services. Steve offers specialized experience serving energy, healthcare, broker dealers, local unions, employee benefit plans, service businesses, manufacturing, construction, software development, franchisors, wholesale industries, not-for-profit and local government entities.

Prior to joining Harper Pearson, he was a shareholder with Hopkins, Vetters, Palmerton and Co.—joining when his practice merged with the company in 2001. In addition, he served in the audit and tax department at Bracken, Hopkins, Read & Co.

Steve graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and is an active member of numerous professional organizations including the Texas Society of CPAs and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. His community leadership includes a seat on the Business Advisory Council for Goodwill Industries, as well as serving as Deacon at Second Baptist Church.

Tonja C. Rodriguez

Assurance Shareholder

Tonja Rodriguez is an assurance shareholder and serves as vice president, chairman of the board and is the director of the not-for-profit practice. Bringing more than three decades of auditing experience to the firm, Tonja not only controls financial statement and grant compliance audits, and their associated reports, she also performs consulting and training on a variety of topics in the not-for-profit sector.

Active in the accounting community, she’s served in a variety of leadership roles including the boards of the Texas Society of CPAs, and the Houston CPA Chapter. Tonja has been honored by her peers with awards for Distinguished Public Service and being an Outstanding CPA.

Tonja’s passion for not-for-profits also extends to her personal life, as she serves in leadership roles with organizations and actively volunteers her time on a regular basis. She is a regular volunteer for Christian Community Services Center and is currently a member of their Endowment Board.

Guy Tabor

Tax Shareholder

Guy Tabor is a shareholder in the tax practice. He advises clients on tax planning, tax compliance and IRS representation. Guy’s client focus is on high-net-worth individuals, tax-exempt organizations, oil and gas, real estate, construction, manufacturing, trusts and estates, professional service organizations and an advocate for taxpayers with IRS tax controversy. He brings more than 40 years of direct experience working with both local and international public accounting firms.

Guy is a graduate of Texas Tech University, and a Certified Public Accountant in Texas. He provides leadership and contribution to a variety of professional tax and accounting organizations, including the AICPA tax section and with CPAmerica tax group. Guy is the past treasurer of the Exchange Club of Houston.