Nicole Creese

 

Enrolled Agent (USA) and Fellow Chartered Accountant (UK)

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Nicole graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She started her accounting career with KMPG in the United Kingdom, specializing in audit. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant (the UK equivalent of a CPA), she worked in various senior accounting and management roles for the University of Nottingham for 12 years. Since returning to the US, Nicole has specialized in tax preparation for individuals and businesses and earned an Enrolled Agent qualification awarded by the IRS. She settled in Venice in 2015 and has worked as an office manager for a major national tax preparer, and more recently as an accountant for a local CPA practice.  Nicole is a fluent Russian speaker. She brings her diligence, attention to detail, and dedication to providing the highest standards of customer service to a market where Blue Jay Tax plans to take the lead.

Jack Hickey

 

Jack graduated from Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, focusing in accounting and finance. He began his career in finance on Wall Street in New York City. After several years in the business world, Jack returned to university in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he earned a Master's degree in Mathematics Education. This presented  him with an opportunity to work in Asia, where he taught mathematics at private international schools for eight years in Indonesia and nine years in Vietnam. After taking up residence in Venice, Florida, and a brief spell teaching the nation's future sports stars at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Jack returned to the financial world. Jack is excited to join Blue Jay Tax, where his extensive experience as an educator and communicator will enable him to patiently guide our clients through the complex world of tax.

Robert Schwartz

 

Robert is a Certified Public Accountant with over 40 years’ experience in practice. He has started two successful accounting firms specializing in small business tax issues, the needs of the retirement community, and investment counseling. He has also represented taxpayers on complex and challenging tax examinations. A graduate of Brooklyn College in New York City, his practices have been in small upstate New York communities where his dedicated care for his clients’ needs was greatly appreciated. He has prepared over 7,000 tax filings including all states and representing corporations, partnerships, non-profits, estates, trusts, and individuals. He brings to Blue Jay Tax his extensive experience, patience, and knowledge.

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Leon Creese

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Leon was born and raised in the south of England. He joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 19, and after graduating as an officer from the RAF College, he completed pilot training. He flew the C130 Hercules in support of UK and allied military and relief operations around the world, and later, as a Central Flying School Accredited Qualified Flying Instructor, he taught students and instructors at the RAF’s multi-engine flying training school. He became well known as a display pilot in the UK and Europe where he flew the King Air, Dakota, and Lancaster in front of millions of airshow spectators. After 25 years of service, he recognized it was time for a change and retired to Venice, Florida. Leon assumes an executive role in Blue Jay Tax where his expertise in leadership and desire to achieve and maintain the highest possible standards will drive his focus on the development of the business.