06/12/2026
Tara Gougis is an experienced executive leader and financial professional with a strong background in:
• Tax strategy & compliance
• Business consulting
• Accounts receivable & financial operations
• Strategic planning and organizational growth
She combines entrepreneurship with deep accounting and finance expertise, supporting businesses in improving profitability, compliance, and operational efficiency.
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Current Role
CEO — Tara Gougis DBA Tax and Research (2019–Present)
• Founded and leads a tax, research, and consulting firm
• Advises clients on:
• Tax planning and compliance
• Business formation and growth strategies
• Financial management and risk mitigation
• Oversees all business operations, including client engagement, financial oversight, and strategy
• Conducts market research and builds data-driven frameworks
• Collaborates with attorneys, accountants, and financial professionals
• Delivers executive-level insights to stakeholders
Key achievements:
• Grew consulting business through referrals and client acquisition
• Helped small businesses increase profitability and operational performance
• Supported startups, restructuring, and succession planning
• Reported $1.9M in sales over 6 months (repeated over multiple years)
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Previous Experience Highlights
Accounts Receivable & Financial Operations (2009–2019)
Held multiple roles across companies including:
• Cheetah Digital Inc.
• Advanced Group
• TTX Company
• McDonald’s Corporation
• Bradford Exchange
• Kehe Food Distribution
• American Bar Foundation
Core responsibilities:
• Managing accounts receivable, collections, and cash applications
• Reducing delinquency and improving cash flow (DSO reduction)
• Reconciling accounts, handling billing discrepancies, and reporting
• Supporting audits, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Working with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, etc.)
Notable impact:
• Managed and collected on large portfolios (e.g., $26M book of business)
• Improved collections processes and implemented automation tools
• Supported revenue goals and financial reporting accuracy
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Leadership & Core Competencies
• Executive Leadership
• Tax Strategy & Compliance
• Business Development
• Financial Analysis & Forecasting
• Operational Excellence
• Market Research & Competitive Analysis
• Risk Management & Governance
• Change Management
• Client Relationship Management
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Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Accounting concentration)
Robert Morris College, Chicago, IL
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Technical Skills
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access)
• Financial & ERP systems: SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, QuickBooks, ADP
• Data & reporting tools
• Accounting and financial platforms
• Additional tools: AS400, Metasys, Outlook, ChatGPT
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Overall Impression
Tara Gougis is a results-driven finance and consulting executive with:
• Strong entrepreneurial success as a business owner
• Extensive experience in accounts receivable and financial operations
• Proven ability to drive profitability, improve processes, and lead organizations strategically
