Some stories start with,"Once upon a time..."
Ours began with, "We can do better."
After hearing our accounting and tax clients expressing frustration with the impersonal services and lack of expertise they received from the larger payroll processing services, Kemper CPA Group decided to create their own payroll company. Thus, Kemper 1st Choice Payroll was born.
In the beginning… another great start of a story… payroll services were offered only to existing clients. As word spread, Kemper 1st Choice Payroll grew. Today with the strength of our accounting foundation, the diversity of our professional staff and the support of our in-house technology division, we get to spend each day proving we can serve you better.
We offer payroll with tax pay and files services, workforce management tools and general accounting outsourcing. But you know the greatest asset in any company is their human beings. Kemper 1st Choice Payroll is driven to develop a diverse group of individuals who work as successfully independently managing their clients as they do together during a mean relay race we affectionately refer to as year-end.
If you want to know more about our humans to see if they would work with yours, check their stories out….
Ginger
Ginger began as a bookkeeper with Kemper CPA Group and was an influential factor in the development of Kemper 1st Choice Payroll. With 29 years of payroll experience and an Associate's degree in Accounting, she holds a Certified Payroll Professional designation from the American Payroll Association. Ginger has a key role in the smooth operation of the payroll division as well as troubleshooting complex payroll issues for our clients and staff. She and her husband stay active spending time with their two adult daughters and traveling.
Janell
Janell joined the staff of Kemper CPA Group as a bookkeeper after several years in accounting for a local manufacturer. Janell also was very involved at the creation of Kemper 1st Choice Payroll. Armed with an Associate's degree in Accounting, Janell continues to grow the success of this division as our lead Tax Specialist. She is responsible for the accurate withholding reporting to all of the states our clients' employees live and work. Janell is the mother of four children … five if you count her husband.
Jeff
Jeff spent over 20 years in the coal mines before deciding to enter college in pursuit of an Associate's Degree in Accounting and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He worked full-time as an account rep for the first seven years with Kemper 1st Choice Payroll. His desire to work less hours led him to become our reconciliation specialist. Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and taking long walks in the beautiful outdoors.
Michael
Michael earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from a local college where he also worked within the accounting department as a student and then an employee after graduation. In addition to his Account Rep responsibilities, he assumes a very active role in the implementation, maintenance and troubleshooting of the time labor management systems which makes him a natural resource for the manufacturing and professional service clients with shift differentials, incident reporting and unique PTO policies. Michael enjoys spending time with his two children.
Kim
Kim graduated with an Associate's Degree in Business Management. Before coming on board with Kemper 1st Choice Payroll, Kim spent several decades in accounting, payroll and HR with at least 15 of them within the long term care industry. She quickly assumed several client accounts as well as taking responsibility for managing our yearly ACA reporting. Kim is also a single mom of a fine young man.
Connie
Connie earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana. However, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom for numerous years raising her 3 children. She has more than 10 years of experience in bookkeeping and payroll. Connie and her husband enjoy travelling and will be empty nesters soon.
Angela
Angela earned an Associate’s degree in Office Administration. She has 20+ years of accounting experience and 7 years of payroll experience. She is married to her husband Nick of over 10 years and has a blended family of 4 children and are on the verge of being empty nesters. In her free time, Angela enjoys camping , hiking and kayaking.
Sarah
Sarah Smith brings a wealth of experience to her role at Kemper, with seven years as a Personal Banker and two years in Litigation. She and her husband enjoy a lively household with their two children and three dogs, always busy creating cherished memories.
A'Bria
A'Bria Drake brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role, with 10 years of combined experience in customer service and payroll. Her dedication to excellence and her ability to manage complex tasks efficiently have made her an invaluable asset to any team. Outside of her professional life, A'Bria enjoys spending quality time with her teenage child and indulging in her passion for home decorating.
Lauren
Lauren Foltz began her academic journey at the University of Southern Indiana, where she initially focused on Psychology before discovering a passion for accounting. She furthered her education in Business Administration and Accounting at WGU. With several years of experience in customer service and business management, Lauren transitioned into the accounting field six years ago, embracing the profession wholeheartedly. Before joining Kemper CPA Group, she gained valuable experience in bookkeeping for a local retail store and managing accounts for short-term rental companies. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time in nature and soaking up the sun.