Muckel, Anderson CPAs creates tech support firm

Accountants, like priests, hear all sorts of things in their daily work.

Principals of Muckel Anderson CPAs in Reno heard enough complaints about the lack of technology support particularly for their medical, legal and construction customers that the firm spun off a new company specifically to provide IT consulting services.

The company, Star Technology Services, is led by a pair of Muckel Anderson veterans Michael O'Neill and Tim McDonnell and specializes in technology used in medical, construction, legal and accounting applications.

"I found I like computers more than I liked accounting," said O'Neill, whose experience includes accounting as well as IT.

McDonnell, meanwhile, was much in demand for consulting to Muckel Anderson clients during the three years he was with the firm.

McDonnell said the company's founders believe a big selling point will be the availability of face-to-face sessions with clients.

"For many of the software applications we provide, we are the only local support," he said.

"Generally, Reno users would have to call a nameless, faceless contact outside the local area.We provide real, live people."

While Star Technology stands separate from Muckel Anderson CPA, the accounting firm still stands to benefit.

"It's important that we take an active interest in how efficiently the internal systems for our clients run," said Mike Klaich, managing partner of Muckel Anderson.

"It makes the work we do as financial consultants easier, saves the client time and, in the long run, money."