Many happy returns: Du Quoin accountant Jim Cravens in his 50th year

The Du Quoin accounting firm of Cravens & Craven, LLP, CPA moved the new tax laws and desktop calculators to the side Tuesday just long enough for family and staff members to celebrate a milestone.

February 2013 marks the 50th year that firm founder Jim Cravens has been in the accounting business.

The firm is located in a suite of offices at 121 South Washington Street. Family and faith have always defined the firm and the professional accounting and tax work performed there.

The firm paused long enough to count the years and the blessings. Among those in attendance at a noon office luncheon were founder Jim Cravens and wife Lois, son and partner Jim Cravens III, Stephanie Cravens, Arline Cravens, Annette Cravens-Guthman, Grant Guthman, Jared Funk, and Diana Rolando, who is celebrating her 20th year with the firm.

Jim's career began in 1963, but Cravens & Cravens, LLP was founded in 1967 as James R. Cravens, CPA and began operating as Cravens & Cravens in 1997. The firm provides accounting and financial-based services to clients throughout Southern Illinois, Northern Kentucky and Eastern Missouri. The firm is also committed to bringing the most up-to-date tax strategies to the attention of its clients to provide the best tax minimization strategies and financial advice available.

The Cravens pride themselves on developing a "rolling forecast" for clients to project realistic quarterly forecasts for management on a real time basis.

The family has always worked as a very approachable team that accomplishes its work in a professional environment with sincerity, attention to detail and good outcomes.

Congratulations to all!