Trusting your business or personal finances with someone you don't know can be challenging. At Jon Bell CPA & Associates, we understand the difficulties behind choosing the right New Mexico CPA firm for you or your business, which is why we offer a free initial consultation. This allows you to get to know us and us to get to know your business - so we can build a long-term professional relationship.
Give us a call today at 505-385-3535 to schedule your free initial consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.
Jon Bell, CPA, MACCT, founded his tax and accounting practice in 2010 based on the same core ideals and principles of his family department store - Bell’s Store Inc that operated in Santa Fe, NM for nearly 60 years. "You’re somebody special at Bell’s” still rings true today with all of Jon’s clients.
Professional Background: Before starting his firm, Jon worked for one year as a corporate tax accountant for Thornburg Inc. in Santa Fe and was responsible for the preparation of financial statements and tax returns for the corporation and its principal shareholders. Jon also spent three years with Atkinson and Company as an accountant in the firm’s tax and audit departments and five years as a tax preparer at HR Block.
Prior to his career in accounting, Jon founded and operated Air Award Exchange, an online broker of frequent flier miles and airline awards which served clients nationwide. He also spent six years as a table games dealer at Isleta Casino, and nine years as a Buyer and Manager for Dillard’s Department Stores Inc.
Having prepared tax returns for 12 years and from running a successful small business, Jon fully understands the complexities of small business and taxation issues. He has prepared tax returns of complicated subchapter s-corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships. He has also prepared complex individual returns including those containing oil and gas interests, significant real estate holdings, net operating losses, and foreign source income. Jon also has experience preparing tax returns for retirees, new homeowners, trusts, and non-profit entities.
Education: Jon holds a bachelor’s degree in General Management (BBA) and a master’s degree in Accounting (MACCT) from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Professional Affiliations: He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of New Mexico. Jon is a member of the National Society of Accountants, and the New Mexico Society of CPAs.
Community Involvement: Jon is the Treasurer for the Jewish Federation of New Mexico. While attending the University of New Mexico, Jon served as the President of Hillel.
Family: Jon has been happily married to Sherry Bell. They are the proud parents of their two precious boys, Alec and Aaron. Jon takes pride in being a 3rd generation New Mexican, having been born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jon’s parents Irving and Marilyn Bell, and immigrant grandparents Morris and Ethyl Bell, owned and operated Bell’s Department Store just off the plaza in downtown Santa Fe until its untimely closing in 1984. In his spare time Jon enjoys skiing in the high-country of NM, playing tennis and golf, and is an avid fan of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sherry Estep Bell, Director of Operations
Sherry Estep Bell is from El Paso, Texas and has lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico since 1998. She has been a part of the team at Jon Bell, CPA since the beginning. She enjoys creating and coding excel spreadsheets for the business. Sherry has a BBS in Speech and language Pathology from New Mexico State University. Additionally, she has graduated with Speech and Language Pathology credentials from the University of Texas at El Paso. Sherry also holds a Bachelor's degree in E-Business from the University of Phoenix. Sherry loves interacting with customers and providing the best customer service she can. She and her husband, Jon, have enjoyed raising their two sons, Alec and Aaron, in New Mexico. When not working, you will find Sherry spending time with her husband and sons, and going home as often as she can to visit her family in El Paso.
Marissa Benton, Tax Accountant
Marissa Benton studied at UNM's Anderson School of Management where she acquired a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. The academic curriculum taught her research, analytics, finance, auditing, tax prep, advanced Excel, public speaking, and of course a wide variety of accounting principles.
While attending school, she worked as a full-charge bookkeeper where she learned the foundational skills necessary to help business of any size succeed in their accounting endeavors. From there she moved on to a public accounting firm where she gained skills over two tax seasons, helping her prepare to join our team.
Marissa continues to hone her skills under Jon Bell's careful guidance to help prepare tax returns of varying complexity. Her ambition is focused on continuing to work toward her CPA license to further her own goals she's set for herself and become an even greater asset to this firm.
In her spare time, Marissa enjoys spending time with her husband and three dogs, as well as rock climbing, playing soccer, and riding her bike around this beautiful city.
Pierre Aguilar, CPA, Senior Tax Accountant
Pierre Aguilar has been a part of the Team at Jon Bell CPA since November 2021. Pierre studied at NMSU where he acquired both a Bachelor's of Accountancy and Master's of Accountancy degree. Before graduating from NMSU and pursuing a career in accounting, he joined the U.S. Army as a combat engineer. He served overseas in both Germany and Afghanistan before finishing four years of service in Colorado.
After graduation, Pierre worked in public accounting for a small local tax firm in Albuquerque for four years building up the necessary skills and experience in tax accounting. While working full time he completed the required exams and experience to acquire his CPA license in 2020.
Pierre is an avid football fan and movie buff who can answer most trivia questions about both subjects. In his free time, Pierre enjoys spending time with his dog, Ripley, and his family.
Courtney Estep, Director of First Impressions
Courtney Estep has been a part of our team since March 2021. Courtney is from and resides in El Paso, TX.
Courtney has 10 years of customer service experience. She has the most positive attitude and provides excellent customer service to our clients.
In her spare time, Courtney enjoys playing and beating her Grandparents in Canasta.
Get in touch with us now to find out how Jon Bell CPA & Associates can help you reach your financial goals.