Lance Bonlender, EA has more than 14 years of tax preparation experience. He began preparing taxes for H & R Block while stationed at Andrews AFB, Maryland in 1998. After returning to Tucson, Arizona, he worked with Heckinger & Associates, LLC for five years prior to establishing his own practice.

Lance received his Enrolled Agent (EA) credential from the Department of the Treasury in April, 2004. He went into private practice after resigning his active duty position with the Arizona Air National Guard. Lance continues to be a member of the 162nd Fighter Wing and has more than 27 years of total military service.

Lance's education includes a Bachelor Degree from the University of Phoenix and an Associate Degree in Accounting from Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin. In August, 2008, he completed a three-year Fellows Program with the National Tax Practice Institute. This program is designed to further prepare him to effectively represent his clients before all administrative levels of the IRS.

Lance is from Watertown, WI, but for the past twenty years, Tucson has been home. Despite being in the desert for so long, he continues to be an enthusiastic Wisconsin Badger fan. When time permits, he enjoys hiking and the peacefulness of nature. At other times, he still enjoys the competitive rush of racing cars at local circle tracks.

Sonia Gutierrez was seeking a career change; a position that might challenge her to grow. She's now the new Office Manger and wondering what a "Tax Season" really involves. She has several years of experience within the financial planning and banking industries as an Administrative Assistant / Office Manager.

Sonia is excited to learn new skills, so after the 2012 Tax Season, we will begin training her as a Tax Return Preparer. Our expectations are to develop her skills so that she can begin working with clients with less complicated tax returns during the 2013 Tax Season. Our timeline includes testing for and being credentialed as an Enrolled Agent by 2015.

Sonia is a native of Tucson, AZ, having graduated from Santa Rita High School in 1984. She married her high school sweet heart, Robert, and was a military Spouse during his active duty Air Force career. Robert retired after 21 years of service and they finally moved back home in 2008. They are proud parents of two children and five grand boys! Sonia is a dedicated fan of the University of Arizona Wildcats and Denver Broncos.