Who we are

Today, Cook and Company performs a range of critical functions that include, among others:

Educating and advising individuals, corporate officers, board members, managers, partners, executors and trustees in tax matters; Processing hundreds (really thousands) of tax return filings each year; Representing taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state departments of revenue; Interpreting and applying federal and state rules and regulations; Servicing hundreds of accounts, securing and storing confidential tax and financial information; and Operating information technology systems and tools that manage millions in tax dollars.

This is a complex, multifaceted mission that calls on a range of staff skills and demands coordination between the various functions involved. Consequently, Cook and Company emphasizes tangible results and efficient performance, as well as the continuous improvement of the processes and systems that support our mission.

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Our story

Bara Business Service was established in 1957 by Al LaGrone, EA, PA and operated out of his home in Arab, Alabama for the first two years. During the following four years, we shared office space with a Real Estate Office on North Main Street. Mr. LaGrone built and occupied our current office building in April 1962. In 1970 an addition was made to our building, doubling the office space to approximately 10,000 square feet.
1957 Bara Business founded by Al LaGrone, EA, PA.
Mr. LaGrone retired and sold the practice to Greg Cook (an employee of approximately ten years) in December 1994. The business operated under the name Cook & LaGrone during the transition period. Due to state regulations governing Mr. Cook's CPA license and the use of a fictitious name, LaGrone was dropped from the firm name in March 1998 (two years after the death of our Founder). Mr. Cook completely renovated the building inside and out over the next five years.
1994 Practice sold to Greg Cook, EA, CPA, Accredited Tax Advisor.
Due to state regulations governing Greg's CPA license, the firm name was changed from Bara Business Service to Cook and LaGrone. LaGrone continued work with the firm until his death in March 1996. State regulations required that the LaGrone name be dropped from the firm two years after his death, so in 1998 the firm was registered as Cook and Company. Greg Cook is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and Past President of the Alabama Society of Enrolled Agents (ALSEA) 2000-2003. Greg is also a Past President of the Alabama Association of Accountants 2003-2004. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA), and a member of the Alabama and Tennessee State Boards of Accountancy. He has written numerous articles on the subject of taxation and has been published in such national magazines as the EA Journal.

Our process

  • A.
    Client schedules an appointment.
    Client meets with Agent for a 30 minute to 1 hour interview and is given an estimate of the results of the tax filings before leaving the building.
  • B.
    A Reviewer analyzes data entered by Agent.
    We at which parts of the tax code are applicable. How we treated items. Attempt to ensure client does not over-pay taxes.
  • C.
    We E-file Tax Returns with Federal and State.
    We prepare "keep copies" of the tax filings for the client. Mail or upload to client portal.
We make every effort to insure that you pay the minimum amount of tax, legally possible. That effort is demonstrated in our "TEN STEP PROCESS", which has been refined each year over the last half-century.

Job opportunities

Our business is very seasonal and we do need temporary help for 10 weeks each year, February 1 to April 15.
If you are interested in seasonal employment please contact us at 256-586-4111. Tax season can be demanding. We schedule appointments - mornings 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00, afternoons 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00, and evenings at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday (no evening appointments on Saturdays).
We have a College Co-Op Program for students pursuing a degree in Accounting.
We support the University of ALabama in Huntsville, Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Snead State in Boaz and Athens State. Many students have launched successful careers through our work-study program. We are always receptive to student applicants that are planning a career in accounting. Our program involves working full-time during Tax Season and very flexible hours around your class schedule the remainder of the year. Work/study program subject to availability.
Are you a retired professional seeking seasonal or part-time employment? If so, you are our ideal candidate!
We are currently seeking seasonal staff to assist in the preparation of income tax returns. Our busy season is February 1 to April 15 (ten weeks). We provide on-the-job training. Must have good communication skills and will have general computer skills. Job entails interviewing clients, gathering information and keying that data into the computer.