Get to know us

David Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Indiana University. After spending several years in the manufacturing industry that took him around the world, David decided to pursue his interests in business and finance and return to his hometown of Saint Louis.

As the Director in charge of Audit and Assurance Services, David works with many organizations to provide insight and guidance into the financial reporting processes. In addition, David leads the firm’s Medical Marijuana consulting group to assist licensees navigate the complex tax and accounting rules facing this industry.

When he’s not working with businesses on audit and consulting engagements, David enjoys racking up the miles on his bicycle and spending time with his wife, Thuy, and daughter, Cameron. While on vacation, you’ll most likely find him and his family enjoying the outdoors in mountains of Colorado or on the beaches of Captiva, Florida.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Member, Missouri Society of Certified Public Accounts (MSCPA)
• Member, Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA)
• Member, Missouri Cannabis Trade Association
• An investment advisor representative with Wealth Management Nebraska, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor
• Former Governor, Missouri Athletic Club
• Former Finance Committee Member, Algonquin Golf Club
• Past Vice-President for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Past Finance Chair, Lighthouse for the Blind board of directors
• Past Firm Leadership Chair person, Missouri Society of CPAs

Debbie earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southeast Missouri State University. Debbie has been in public accounting for more than 40 years, maintaining many long-term relationships with our clients.

She provides expertise in the fields of accounting and tax. Debbie works with individuals, non-profit entities, and business entities including corporations, partnerships, LLC’s and sole proprietorships.

Services she provides include tax planning, preparation and review; financial statement preparations, compilations and reviews; and various other accounting and consulting services. Debbie continues to keep current with continuing professional education in these fields.

Debbie lives in Crestwood. She has 3 grown children, including twins. She enjoys walking, watching most sports, reading, scrapbooking, line dancing and Disney World.

Debbie is a member of the Christ Memorial Lutheran Church library board, volunteering with their ongoing library upkeep. She is a former treasurer of Christ Community Lutheran School and Webster Groves Lacrosse.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Certified Public Accountant, Missouri
• Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MOCPA)

Sarah Bantz, CPA, is a leader in Smith Patrick’s growing cannabis accounting and business advisory division. Originally from Champaign, IL, and Iowa, Sarah is now based in Columbia, MO. She brings a wealth of expertise in meeting the needs of cannabis clients, including tax preparation and planning, budgeting, entity selection, sales tax, cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, internal controls, and 280E-compliant inventory methodology.

Sarah’s experience spans tax planning for cannabis-based businesses, 280E calculations, payroll, cash flow management, internal controls and cash handling, and product inventory management. She also has a diverse background in retail, non-profit, and agriculture, with both internal and external audit experience. Sarah holds an undergraduate degree from Washington University and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics.

Recognized as a leading expert on cannabis accounting issues in Missouri, Sarah’s mission is to save her clients money by helping them avoid the numerous financial pitfalls that come with operating in this challenging sector. She was recently named Best Accountant in Greenway’s Best of the Industry Awards, a reader-voted honor from Missouri’s cannabis community.

What Sarah enjoys most about her job is the complex and diverse challenges that the emerging cannabis industry brings to the accounting role. She thrives on making a meaningful difference for her clients while navigating the complexities of this unique industry.

Amanda Carlson is the Office Manager, and she handles supply orders, customer communications, scanning and assembling returns, and assisting the team.

Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and graduated from the police academy in 2018. She has worked as an officer in Chesterfield for two years and previously worked at a law firm.

Amanda’s goal is to make clients feel valued and make filing their taxes an easy and pleasant experience. The best advice she has ever received is, “Everything happens for a reason. You may never know why, but you are where you are meant to be.” What Amanda enjoys most about her job is building relationships with clients and getting to know people from diverse backgrounds.

Jessica Collins is an Administrative Assistant at Smith Patrick, and she brings years of customer service and administrative experience. She handles supply orders, staff support, and assembling tax returns. Jessica values the supportive team environment and lives by the motto, “Life’s short. Buy the shoes. Eat the cake.”

James earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Truman State University. James is a certified public accountant (CPA) and has spent his career working with high net worth clients, closely-held businesses, and real estate investors. James also has extensive experience in tax planning and compliance, working with trusts and estates, and advising personal service companies. James has handled a variety of specialized tax matters, including divorce litigation, 1031 exchanges, and IRS audits. James is also a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential holder. He works with clients in the areas of retirement planning, income tax planning and preparation, estate planning, investment planning, education planning, strategic business planning and consulting, and risk management.

James is passionate about getting to know his clients and their goals, both personal and professional. He spends time with them to identify their most pressing questions and concerns. James is a trusted advisor and resource to his clients and his mission is to help simplify their personal, financial and business lives.

James grew up in St. Louis and lives in Brentwood with his wife Rachel and three daughters, Elle, Lane and Murray. Outside the office he enjoys coaching his daughters’ soccer teams, golfing, swimming and getting outside to hike, run or bike.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)
• Investment Advisor Representative
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MOCPA)
• Personal Financial Planning Section Member
• Past Treasurer of The Bridge Outreach
• Past Treasurer of Bradford Court Homeowners Association

Anastasiya Ellebrecht is a CPA at Smith Patrick CPAs, specializing in tax return preparation and review, tax planning, and compliance for businesses and high-net-worth individuals. She brings experience in public accounting and a strong focus on multi-state and international tax issues, as well as estate and trust returns.

Anastasiya holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Missouri State University and is known for helping clients navigate complex tax laws with clarity and confidence. Her guiding advice: “Treat every client like a partner and every challenge like an opportunity.”

John’s experience includes more than 20 years experience in financial valuation and litigation support. He is part of Smith Patrick’s growing advisory and consulting team that provides small businesses and families with consultative service, guidance, and support.

His experience includes:

• Providing business valuations of closely held businesses for estate, gift, income tax, shareholder disputes and employee stock ownership plans
• Forensic accounting
• Litigation support for marital dissolutions
• Economic damage measurements from personal injury, wrongful death, professional malpractice, and employment discrimination

John is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF). He is a professional member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Forensic and Valuation Services community member) and Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.

His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Finance from Truman State University. He also holds a Masters in Forensic Accounting from Webster University.

Mark Favazza is the Firm Administrator at Smith Patrick. He oversees administrative operations, business associate relationships, technology and data systems, human resources, and accounts payable and receivable.

Mark brings over 30 years of finance experience, growing from underwriting small loans to managing multi-million-dollar mortgages. He credits his success to staying open to unexpected opportunities. Mark holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance from Creighton University.

He is committed to ensuring every client interaction ends with satisfaction and enjoys learning something new each day.

Kelly joined Smith Patrick in February 2016 as an outsourced controller bringing a solid background in financial service industry accounting.

After graduating from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Kelly began her career in the financial service industry. She has 20 years of experience, including accounting, compliance, billing and portfolio administration. She has held FINRA Series 7, 63, 28 and 66 Licenses. Now at Smith Patrick, she dedicates her time to performing daily accounting duties and preparing financial reports.

Kelly is a valued resource to the Smith Patrick team and attributes her success to her organizational skills and attention to detail.

Kelly grew up in St. Louis and now resides in Crestwood with her husband and sons. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, gardening and attending sporting events.

Gina brings over 40 years of experience, primarily in small businesses. Her experience spans customer service, office management, credit collections, accounts receivable, and human resources. 

Gina’s responsibilities include establishing new clients in accounting software and performing daily accounting-related functions.

Gina’s strong work ethic, dependability, and ability to work well with others have earned her several promotions throughout her career. Her personal mission to have others’ best interest at heart and leave things better than when she found them. She enjoys the opportunity to learn about the ways different businesses operate while performing everyday accounting functions.

Gina often reflects on the best advice she has received, which is, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” She has found that if she keeps working at something, she’ll find a way to get it done.

Laura joined Smith Patrick in February 2015. As an Outsourced Controller, Laura provides accounting services including financial statement preparation and analysis, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management and QuickBooks Online consulting. She works with a diverse client group including service, retail and non-profit entities. Following her graduation from the University of Kentucky, Laura began her career with a public accounting firm in Lexington, Kentucky. She has over 20 years of accounting experience, including corporate and client accounting for a large commercial real estate company and bookkeeping for small businesses.

A native of Louisville, Laura and her family have resided in the St. Louis area for more than 20 years. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and gardening.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MOCPA)
• Intuit Quickbooks Online Certification
• University of Kentucky Alumni Association

Andrew LaBeaume, CPA, serves as a Tax Manager at Smith Patrick CPAs in Saint Louis, MO, a position he has held since joining the firm in 2022. He began his career in 2002 after completing his education at the University of Central Florida, where he earned both a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in Accounting. Andrew’s career initially took off in Central Florida where he quickly ascended to a partner at a local CPA firm, managing a team focused on bookkeeping and tax services. His leadership played a pivotal role in transitioning the firm to remote operations in 2008.

Throughout his career, Andrew has remained dedicated to enhancing his knowledge and skills, reflecting his personal mission to ensure client compliance with tax laws while providing tailored, proactive tax planning. His approach is to educate clients thoroughly, enabling them to make informed decisions based on the latest regulatory changes.

In 2005, Andrew returned to his hometown of St. Louis and continued his journey in tax management, eventually leading his former firm into new operational modes, including remote work. His adaptability and forward-thinking culminated in significant professional growth, which led him back to office work with Smith Patrick after many years of managing remotely. Andrew values the seasonal intensity of tax season, thriving on the challenges it brings and the satisfaction derived from meeting deadlines and exceeding client expectations.

Andrew is driven by the best piece of advice he has ever received: to never be afraid to seek feedback and ask questions. This principle has guided him through numerous challenges and successes, helping him refine his skills and enhance his professional performance.

Benjamin Schweiss, Staff Accountant, is dedicated to assisting clients with their tax and accounting needs.

Benjamin holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and is currently enrolled in the accounting master’s program at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Prior to his career in accounting, Benjamin worked at PepsiCo North America in corporate marketing for seven years, where he managed a multi-million dollar advertising budget and led a team of 25 marketing professionals.

Benjamin strives to be accurate, timely, and personable when assisting clients with all levels of needs. His personal mission is to provide exceptional service while making accounting approachable and understandable for clients.

The best advice Benjamin has ever received is, “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” He enjoys helping clients with complex issues and finding creative solutions that make a difference in their financial success.

Andrea Shewcraft is the Chief Operating Officer at Smith Patrick CPAs. She oversees day-to-day office operations, manages projects, provides support to the tax team, and serves as a liaison between clients and staff to maintain strong, long-lasting relationships.

She brings extensive experience in operations and client services and has previously served as Director of Operations and Senior Paralegal at a St. Louis law firm. Her mission is to enhance efficiency and reduce stress for both clients and staff while fostering meaningful connections.

Andrea enjoys working alongside the people and clients at Smith Patrick and values the advice, “Be so good that they can’t ignore you.”

Renee Spillers is a Staff Accountant and focuses on providing monthly accounting and tax services to clients.

Renee graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is dedicated to delivering reliable financial services.

Renee’s personal mission is to create meaningful connections with people, making her work not just about numbers but about relationships. The best advice she has ever received is, “When you know better, do better.” What Renee enjoys most about her job is helping clients navigate their financial needs and achieve their goals.

Christian brings over 30 years of experience in banking and finance to his role at Smith Patrick. As a relationship manager, leader, and multi-industry expert, his knowledge of finance, business cash flow analysis, treasury operations, and asset valuation provides Smith Patrick’s customers with comprehensive insights.

As a Senior Accountant on Smith Patrick’s Valuation and Litigation Support Team, Christian focuses on:

• Providing business valuations of closely held businesses for estate, gift, income tax, and partnership actions
• Conducting forensic accounting
• Offering litigation support for marital dissolutions
• Determining economic damage measurements from personal injury, wrongful death, professional malpractice, and employment discrimination

Christian expects to achieve Certified Public Accountant designation in 2025 and is currently an affiliate member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Christian holds a Bachelor of Science from the School of Engineering at Washington University, Master of Finance from Saint Louis University, and a Post-Graduate Degree from the Pacific Coast School of Banking from the University of Washington. Christian is also a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and has attained Series 7 and 63 licenses from the National Association of Securities Dealers.

Johny Tran is a Senior Tax Accountant at Smith Patrick, specializing in the preparation, oversight, and review of individual, business, and trust income tax returns, as well as tax planning and consulting. With experience in public accounting and a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri, Johny is committed to delivering exceptional client service. He values the opportunity to learn something new every day and thrives in Smith Patrick’s collaborative work environment. His guiding advice: “There’s more than one way of doing something.”

Patty has more than 30 years experience in public accounting. She reviews tax returns for high net worth clients, focusing on individual tax work. Her mission is to provide high level service to her clients, reducing their tax burdens, keeping them informed and instilling confidence.