Staff Spotlight: Jim Chinn

Spotlight on Jim Chinn: Driving innovation and excellence in client service

Jim Chinn is a Tax Partner at Keiter, who joined the Firm in 2017. He has been instrumental in leading the Firm’s Healthcare and Medical Services industry team and streamlining the tax workflow processes. Jim has a diverse background, beginning as an accounting assistant/IT help desk intern at a local firm in Richmond, then transitioning into a career as a tax accountant. Since the beginning of his career, he has always looked for ways to improve efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction. He is also actively involved in his community, dedicating his skills and time to serve others.

Early career

Jim, born in Northern Virginia, moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he earned an accounting degree and became the first in his immediate family to graduate from college. He started his career journey as an accounting assistant/IT help desk intern at a small accounting firm, and post-graduation, advanced to the role of staff accountant. He credits his IT internship for giving him a deeper understanding of how the technology side of accounting works. Jim then transitioned to a larger regional firm where he worked with teams in Richmond and Charlotte. During his tenure, he also gained valuable experience, specializing in serving medical industry companies, especially dental practices. Jim’s role transitioned to a fully remote environment, limiting his interaction with team members and clients. This change prompted him to seek opportunities that prioritized in-person relationship building.

Finding Keiter

Jim had heard about Keiter’s strong reputation and decided to apply for a tax manager position in 2017. He was impressed by the firm’s culture and values. He also liked the fact that Keiter was a single-office firm, which gave him more influence and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and clients. He appreciated the Firm’s focus on innovation and growth. Jim joined the Firm shortly after applying and began to get involved in special committees including the tax workflow committee, which was charged with streamlining the processes in the tax department. Drawing on his knowledge and experience, he shared his insights on innovation and found that his voice was heard and valued. He is still part of the tax workflow team, and he is constantly looking for ways to leverage technology and best practices to enhance the Firm’s performance and client service.

Jim’s focus areas

Jim’s main tax focus areas are real estate and healthcare, two industries that are complex and dynamic. He enjoys the challenge of helping his clients navigate the tax issues and opportunities that arise from transactions and operations. He is also the leader of the Firm’s Healthcare & Medical Services team, which serves a variety of clients, such as dental practices and specialty medical group practices. He takes a special interest in the healthcare industry, as he believes that it has a positive impact on people’s lives and well-being. He continually updates his knowledge on industry trends and tax regulations and enjoys sharing insights with colleagues and clients.

Outside of work

Jim enjoys volunteering in the community and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Community Tax Law Project, a Richmond-based low-income taxpayer clinic that assists underserved populations with tax compliance and controversy issues.

When Jim is away from the office, he loves to spend time with his wife and two children. He met his wife at VCU, and they have been married for 10 years. His wife is from West Africa, and she inspired him to take an interest in international travel. He loves to see other cultures and how they experience the world. He has visited several countries, such as Togo, France, and he plans to visit Scotland for his anniversary. He also loves to cook, which he calls his love language. He learned to cook from his family, who passed down their recipes and traditions. He is also fond of the outdoors, and he likes to go camping and hiking. In the past, he has taken weeklong trips to Crabtree Falls with a group of friends after tax season to decompress and recharge.

What’s Next

Jim is optimistic about the future of Keiter and his career. He sees a lot of changes and opportunities in the accounting industry, especially with the emergence of new technologies and innovations. He is focused on helping Keiter stay ahead of the curve. He also wants to help Keiter maintain its culture and values, which he believes are the key to its success. He plans to continue serving his clients and community, aiming to make a positive impact on those around him.

Keiter is your firm for career development and relationship building. To learn more about a career at Keiter, view our current entry-level and experienced positions.