Michael founded the Baton Rouge firm on May 1, 1987. In 1998 he opened a second office in Mandeville, LA. He has over 25 years of public accounting experience in a wide range of industries and businesses.

	Health Care		Attorneys
	Consultants		Non Profits
	Retail		Home Based Businesses
	Construction		Governmental
	Real Estate		Restaurants

In 1980 Michael obtained his accounting degree from LSU, and in 1989 received his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) also from LSU. In 1981 Michael passed all four parts of the CPA exam; a feat achieved by only 10% of US candidates.

Michael was named one of Baton Rouge's top "40 Under 40" by the Baton Rouge Business Report in 1995.

Michael is an investment advisor and a registered representative with Securities America Inc. He is licensed with the NASD. He is also licensed with the State of Louisiana to sell life and health insurance. (These services are provided through an affiliated company and not by Michael R. Choate & Company, CPAs.)

His professional organizations include the Louisiana Society of CPA's, the AICPA, the Institution of Management Accountants (past president of Baton Rouge Chapter), the Baton Rouge and St. Tammany West Chambers of Commerce, the Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau and the EBR Lions Club.

Michael was born in New Orleans and has lived in Baton Rouge for over 35 years. His hobbies include LSU sports, golf, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

He and his wife Laura, a Licensed Professional Counselor and faculty member at LSU, are members of the Chapel on the Campus. Michael is treasurer. Michael and Laura have a son, Benjamin, and a daughter, Abigail.

Margaret is responsible for the efficient flow of information through our office. She is also responsible for certain client payrolls. She has 10 years of experience in office administration and bookkeeping. Margaret joined our Firm in 2003.

Margaret is a Baton Rouge native. She enjoys reading, spending time with husband Shane and son Brennan, and taking trips to the beach.

Emilee joined the firm in August 2008 after working over six years with a Charleston, South Carolina CPA firm. She is responsible for preparing business and individual tax returns for the firm. She also helps supervise the small business accounting department.

Emilee attended Rhodes College in Memphis, TN before graduating in accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery. Her hobbies include spending time with friends and family.

Holly joined the firm in December 2008 after working as an accountant for a year with a Lafayette CPA firm. Holly also worked for over ten years as an assistant and general manager in a Lafayette gaming business. She is responsible for small business accounting, QuickBooks and income tax preparation for many of the firm’s clients.

Holly graduated in accounting from University of Louisiana Lafayette in May 2008. She is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. Her hobbies include spending time with friends, family and her two small nephews.

Dana joined the firm in January 2009 after working a year as an auditor and tax preparer for a Lafayette CPA firm. She is responsible for small business accounting and income tax preparation for many of the firm’s clients.

Dana graduated Cum Laude in accounting from University of Louisiana Lafayette in May 2007. She was on the Dean’s list and Beta Alpha PSI Honorary Accounting Fraternity. In December of 2009, Dana completed her concentration in Internal Auditing from LSU.

Her hobbies include spending time with friends, reading and riding horses. She is originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Tim Burgmeier's Law Firm is strategically located across the hall from our CPA firm. His practice is focused primarily on federal income, estate and gift tax controversy, from audit through litigation. Practice also includes: federal excise tax matters, state and local sales/use and ad valorem tax litigation, representation before all IRS and Louisiana Department of Revenue divisions, and substantial federal estate planning and probate matters.

Tim has been practicing law for 23 years. He is a great asset to our CPA clients who have complex tax issues needing legal expertise and representation. Tim also assists our clients with legal formation of business entities such as corporations and limited liability companies.

Tim is originally from Indiana where he graduated from Ball State Univeristy with a B.S. in Political Science. He then attended University of Baltimore School of Law. Tim holds licenses in Maryland and Louisiana.

Tim is a member of the following: Louisiana State Bar Association, Member of Tax Section; American Bar Association, Member of Corporate, Estates and Trust Section; Baton Rouge Bar Association, Chairman, Articles and Bylaws Committee; Lecturer at professional seminars on resolution and procedure of disputes with the Internal Revenue Service.

Tim enjoys spending time with his children: Evan age 15 and Hilary age 12. He also enjoys cycling and traveling.

Benjamin arrived on scene on June 23, 2003. He helps with employee morale and entertaining clients and friends of the firm. He is not responsible for any accounting or tax services at this time, but shows great future potential. Benjamin is projected to graduate from college in 2025.

When not pretending to be a Jedi knight or superhero, his favorite pastimes include laughing, running, and exploring with his parents and grandparents. Benjamin's dedication service was held at the Chapel on the Campus.

Abigail arrived on the scene June 6, 2005. Her best talent is flashing those big, baby blue eyes at clients and friends.

Although she does not currently handle any client accounts, she shows outstanding potential for future growth. Abigail is expected to graduate from college in 2027.

Like most new employees, her favorite pastimes include staring into space, eating and playing with personal toys.