Karen S. Schmidt, CPA, CSEP

Ms. Schmidt works alongside the attorneys and CPAs a client already relies on to provide deeply focused advice and understanding of estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax matters. Each engagement is customized to meet client needs, ranging from assistance with a single estate or gift tax return to implementation and administration of a complex estate plan, which may span decades. (The firm does not provide traditional income tax and accounting services.)

Ms. Schmidt holds the designation of Certified Specialist in Estate Planning (CSEP), administered by the National Institute for Excellence in Professional Education, LLC, in cooperation with various state societies of CPAs. Holders of the designation are required to complete an intensive series of integrated courses, an examination process, continuing formal education in estate planning, and related experience. Prior to forming Karen S. Schmidt, CPA, PLLC in 2011, Ms. Schmidt practiced with a regional CPA firm where she managed the Estate Planning and Probate Practice for its Midland and Odessa offices.

She was previously affiliated with several area law firms and has extensive experience as a CPA/legal assistant to an attorney board certified in Estate Planning and Probate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Schmidt began her accounting career as an auditor with an international CPA firm, where she gained broad accounting experience, primarily serving publicly held oil and gas entities.

Ms. Schmidt is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Permian Basin Chapter Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Midland Odessa Business and Estate Council. She has served as chairperson and a member of the planning committees for the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Advanced Estate Planning Conference and on the planning committee for the Midland College Foundation, Inc. and Midland Memorial Foundation Annual Estate Planning Update.

Ms. Schmidt enjoys participating in civic and community activities and has made presentations to professional groups regarding estate planning and related topics.