About SMB
At SMB, we hold our clients and their needs at the center of everything we do. We aim to be a resource and an expert partner that can help our clients make good business decisions. We also pride ourselves on creating a culture our employees love and a place they enjoy working. Our services span across individual and business tax income preparation, monthly accounting, and specialized audit needs that ultimately allow our clients to focus on what they do best – running a business.
Meet Our Team
Jacob Sanders
Managing Partner
Jacob Sanders, CPA
Managing Partner
Jake is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Sanders, Myers & Blackwell CPAs, LLP. He has a bachelors of science in accounting and administrative management, as well as a masters of business administration from Missouri State University. He has 16 years of public accounting experience, specializing in tax accounting. He is recognized as an industry expert in various tax incentives, including historic tax credits, low-income housing tax credits, like-kind exchanges, and opportunity zone investments. Jake works with a variety of clients including real estate professionals, hotel and restaurant owners, manufacturers, various service-based businesses, as well as high net worth individual tax clients.
Chris Myers
Partner
Chris Myers, CPA
Partner
Chris co-founded Sanders, Myers & Blackwell CPAs, LLP in December of 2019. He has 13 years of public accounting experience and works with a diverse client base of closely held companies including real estate developers, nonprofits, gas and oil, retail and professional service firms. He assists clients with their accounting, tax and consulting needs and manages the firm’s Accounting and Auditing quality control. He is a graduate of Missouri State University where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Accountancy degrees. He specializes in nonprofit and governmental audits including Rural Development and HUD audits associated with low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) compliance. Chris is also a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor® and assists clients in organizing, developing, and implementing efficient and effective financial accounting systems.
Matthew Blackwell
Partner
Matthew Blackwell, CPA
Partner
Matthew is a Partner and co-founder of Sanders, Myers & Blackwell CPAs, LLP. He specializes in Low-income housing audits and cost certifications for historic and low-income projects, nonprofit audits and individual and corporate taxation. He has over 10 years of public accounting experience and is a graduate of Missouri State University where he earned a Master of Accountancy degree.
Catherine Nacy
Firm Administrator
Catherine Sanders, Firm Administrator
Catherine is the Firm Administrator at Sanders, Myers & Blackwell CPAs, LLP, ensuring that our day-to-day operations are running smoothly and that our personnel have everything they need to continue providing top-notch care for our clients. While she doesn’t have direct client responsibilities, Catherine is a crucial part of ensuring our work is done efficiently and oversees many operations responsibilities, including our marketing efforts.
Robbie Lear
Robbie Lear
Robbie has worked in both private and public accounting since 1980. Robbie graduated from Sauk Valley College in Sterling, Illinois with an Associate in Applied Science for Accounting. She provides a variety of services to the firm including preparation of payroll and payroll taxes, sales and use taxes, monthly accounting and financial statements.
Julie Gaines
Julie Gaines, CPB
Julie brings over 25 years of experience in all aspects of accounting including serving as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor to support clients in navigating the small business accounting software. Julie graduated from Ozarks Technical Community College, Magna Cum Laude, in December of 2013 with an Associate in Applied Science & Accounting. Julie is recognized as a Certified Public Bookkeeper, which she utilizes to assist clients of all sizes in maintaining accurate accounting records.
Bradley Vass
CPA
Bradley Vass, CPA
Brad joined SMB CPAs in February 2021 as a CPA. He’s always known accounting was his passion and began balancing all deposits and accounts receivable at his first job, solidifying his path from that point forward. Brad’s areas of expertise are wide, although he focuses on financial and governmental needs. With over 20 years of experience, Brad is a great asset to SMB and our clients. He holds a Masters of Accountancy from Missouri State University.
Nick Pyatt
Nick Pyatt
Nick Pyatt joined SMB in November 2021 and a lover of the numbers and analytics behind accounting. He holds an MBA with an emphasis in Accounting, a BS in Accounting, and a BS in International Business. He’s a Quickbooks ProAdvisor with several years of management experience, which is a huge asset to SMB and our clients.
Brenden Schroeder
Intern
Brenden Schroeder, Intern
Brenden is a Junior at Missouri State University majoring in Accounting & Business Analysis. As a Springfield-area native, he grew up in Ozark and knew he wanted to stick close to home. As an intern at SMB, he’s been learning a lot, including how real-world application can be different from what he’s learned in school. One of the most surprising tax facts he’s learned so far is the ‘kiddie tax.’ After graduation, Brenden plans to start in public accounting, get his CPA, and the potentially go back for an MBA.
Maxwell Niemeyer
Intern
Maxwell Niemeyer
Maxwell is a Senior at Drury University, majoring in Accounting & Finance. He was born in Tulsa, but has called Bentonville, Arkansas home since 2003. As a student at Drury University, Maxwell is very active in all three offered ensembles: Drury Singers, Drury Chorale, and Chamber Choir. he’s also a member of the Breech Student Chamber of Commerce. He’s enjoying his time at SMB, and has learned that it is ok – and even encouraged – to ask questions when you’re not sure how to tackle a new problem. After graduation, he plans to sit for the CPA exam and begin his career in public accounting.
Joel Barrientos
Intern
Joel Barrientos
Joel is currently in his first year of graduate school at Missouri State University, seeking a Masters of Accountancy. He’s known he was destined for a career in accounting since he was 17 and began keeping track of his father’s small business expenses. Through his internship at SMB, Joel has quickly learned that course work is much different than the actual application and appreciates the knowledge, support, and guidance he’s received from the SMB team.
Moriah Clapp
Intern
Moriah Clapp, Intern
Moriah is a junior at Missouri State University pursuing a degree in Accounting. In her short time with SMB so far, she’s already been assisting with audit fieldwork, and she appreciates how the Partners and staff want to help her learn and grow as an accounting professional and provide exposure to all of the different aspects of public accounting.