ABOUT OUR FIRM
It is the firm's philosophy to take a personal interest in each client building a strong bond with our clients and their families and letting client successes define our success. If we don't have the answer, we will find the answer, and guide you to the resources you need to solve your problem.
Baird & Stallings CPAs has grown up in the farming industry as a pioneer in providing financial counseling to the row-crop, catfish, and aquaculture community. Baird & Stallings has one of the most extensive practice concentrations of row-crop and aquaculture clients in the nation.
Whether it's helping an existing business streamline it's operations to navigate the revolutionary business evolution into the virtual world or assist a start-up operation build a business plan and find funding, Baird & Stallings CPAs professionals work hand in hand with each client to achieve their goals.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help clients maintain financial viability in the present, while taking a proactive approach to achieve future goals. This requires open communication to reach an understanding of our clients' needs through research and sound analysis. Baird & Stallings CPAs is dedicated to meeting these goals with high standards of excellence and professionalism. We have been a staple of the area's business community for years, and pride ourselves on the level of esteem we have earned.
Our dedication to hard work has earned the respect of the business and financial community in and around the area. We believe this to be a direct derivative of our talent and responsiveness to our client base. Whether you are a current or prospective client, rest assured that individuals and businesses who choose Baird & Stallings CPAs receive competent and timely advice.
TEAM
DAVID BAIRD, CPA, CVA
David and Don started their accounting firm in 1977 based on the principles of quality service, expertise, and sound business advice. These principals were developed from their life long relationships with family, friends, and business associates.
David grew up in Inverness on a family farm just five miles from our Indianola office, where he was introduced to sound conservative business principals. His education includes attendance at Marion Military Institute for his first year and one-half of college before transferring to Mississippi State University where he graduated in the fall of 1971 with a BS in Accounting. In May 1969 David joined the Army National Guard completing his full time training and returning to his local unit. He completed Officer Candidate School and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the summer of 1971. David continued to serve part time in the National Guard until 1980 having obtained the rank of Captain and serving as a Detachment and Company Commander. Prior to starting their own firm, David worked as an operational auditor for a health care entity and in public accounting for a local certified public accounting firm.
Having to start a new accounting business, David has performed every function of the firm. Over the years, the firm has enjoyed steady growth and the opportunity to apply his entrepreneurial skills and education. Today, his activities are concentrated on business tax and management advice along with estate planning. Most of the firm's clients are small and medium size businesses which require personal, confidential, and a very experienced business advisor which comes with age and dedication. In the last ten years, David has served as executor of estates and as trustee of trusts. His role as executor and trustee in estates and trusts has given him insight to estate planning, tax, and business consideration of handling estate affairs.
David has completed his Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation. Along with the knowledge of business valuation has come the opportunity for litigation support. He has been involved and testified in court actions involving business and farm related matters. David is a member of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
DON STALLINGS, CPA, CVA, CFFA
Don and David first met as fraternity brothers at Mississippi State so it was only natural they started a practice together in 1977 after passing the CPA exam. Building on each other's strengths, the firm has prospered.
Don grew up in Calhoun City but his roots have also been in Webster County, Mississippi where his family has farmed and grown timber for five generations. Don, his brother, Lon, and sister, Phyllis, still own the family farms from both sides of his parent's families and farm ownership is deeply rooted in his blood. Don, Lon, and Don's son, Nash, built a cabin on the family's old homestead near Mathiston to have a weekend retreat and to have a place to stay when they attended Mississippi State functions. Another great addition to the Stallings family came about when Don met his wife, Sissy, while attending Mississippi State. A third generation Mississippi Delta girl, Sissy homesteaded Don in the Delta starting a great Hill-Delta link.
Don worked his way through college on the cooperative education program at Mississippi State University working for the Tennessee Valley Authority in construction accounting. Don's early experience in farming and construction has been invaluable in his accounting practice.
Don has developed several financial models on farming, construction, restaurant operations, personal care services, and other operations that have allowed the firm to expand its area of expertise to business financial planning and operational and funding consultation.
While helping a friend in the middle of a divorce, Don became intrigued with litigation support earning accreditations as a certified valuation analyst (CVA) in 2001 and as a certified forensic analyst (CFFA) in 2003.
WEBB BAIRD, CPA
Webb Baird, CPA grew up in Indianola. He furthered his education at Mississippi State University graduating in 2008 with a B.S. in Accountancy and completed a Master of Professional Accountancy in 2009. Webb obtained his CPA license in 2009. After graduation, Webb worked for a nationally ranked top 20 public accounting firm in Memphis for 9 years gaining extensive experience in leading audits of large privately held companies and providing tax consulting and compliance services to both individuals and businesses.
DREW DANIEL, CPA
Drew Daniel, CPA is a native of Greenville, Drew spent his early childhood in Indianola. He graduated from Delta State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Accountancy and obtained his CPA license in 2017. Drew has been with the firm since he graduated from Delta State. Drew brings valuable experience and expertise in taxation, auditing, technology, and advisory services for small businesses to the firm.
RAY HAWKINS
Ray Hawkins is a Cleveland, MS native and current resident. He furthered his education at Delta State University graduating with a B.S. in Accountancy in 2010. Ray’s work experience started when he interned at a public accounting firm while attending Delta State University. After graduation, he was hired full time by the public accounting firm gaining extensive knowledge in taxes and audits. He joined Baird and Stallings, CPAs in 2014 and continued in the accounting profession. Ray is a certified QuickBooks professional and has extensive experience in small business operations, auditing, bookkeeping and tax services.