Jay Barnes

Jay Barnes began his accounting career in 1994 after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Having a strong desire to return to his roots of southeast Ohio, Jay began his journey back to Athens by working in Columbus for Victoria’s Secret Catalogue as an internal accountant. He joined Armstrong & Smith CPAs as a staff accountant in 1995 and became a partner in January 2000. Jay is licensed as a CPA in Ohio and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. Jay and his wife Kristie live in the Albany area and have two daughters.

Jim Smith

Jim Smith is a 1962 graduate of The Plains High School and a 1967 graduate of Ohio University. He began his accounting career with Arthur Andersen and Company CPAs in Cleveland, Ohio. After 3 years in the army, he returned to Athens in 1971 where he resumed his accounting career as an account, and later partner in the accounting firm of Brown, Armstrong & Jackson CPAs. Jim is a founding member of what today is Smith & Barnes. Jim has been licensed as a CPA in Ohio since 1973 and is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Jim and his wife Jorae recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary and have a daughter, Teresa Schleter, a son, Michael Smith, and four grandchildren. Jim retired from Smith & Barnes at the end of December, 2010.

Mike Grinstead

Mike Grinstead graduated from Albany High School in 1961. He then served in the US Army for three years, including 13 months in Korea. He graduated from Ohio University in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is a staff accountant with responsibilities of preparing financial statements, income tax returns, payroll taxes and doing bookkeeping.

Derek Buckley

Derek Buckley joined Smith & Barnes as a staff accountant in the summer of 2006. He is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. His daily responsibilities include the preparation of financial statements, bookkeeping, income tax returns, payroll taxes and payroll processing.

Kristie Barnes

Kristie Barnes is the wife of Jay Barnes. She began working full time at Smith & Barnes in the summer of 2008. A native of Florida, Kristie graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Among her many duties, Kristie manages the office and helps to keep the business running smoothly.

Ryan Buckley

Ryan Buckley joined Smith & Barnes as a staff accountant in January 2011. He is a 2004 graduate of Hocking College with an associate’s degree in e-Commerce and web design. His daily responsibilities include income tax returns, payroll taxes and payroll processing. He is also responsible for the maintenance of the website. Ryan and his wife Amanda have four children – two daughters and two sons.

Pam Farson

Pam Farson joined Smith & Barnes in October of 2014. She is a 1996 graduate of Athens High School and a 1999 graduate of Hocking College. Her daily responsibilities include payroll processing, payroll taxes, bookkeeping and assisting in the daily management of the office.

Stephanie Bowser

Stephanie Bowser joined Smith & Barnes in January of 2014. She is a 2014 graduate of Hocking College with an associate’s degree in accounting and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2018. Her daily responsibilities include payroll processing, payroll taxes and bookkeeping. Stephanie lives in The Plains with her husband, two daughters and son.

Destini Kidwell

Destini Kidwell joined Smith & Barnes in February of 2016. She is a 2013 graduate of Hocking College and a 2016 graduate of Ohio University. Her daily responsibilities include payroll processing, payroll taxes, bookkeeping and assisting in the daily management of the office.