Her Story
About Melissa
Melissa J-L Myers, CMI is a Director and Sales & Use Tax Practice Leader at Cirrus Advisors, bringing 22 years of experience to her work in sales and use tax accounting. Her career began unexpectedly, as a federal tax accountant in public accounting, where she would lend support to the state and local tax group during the off-season. That exposure sparked a passion for sales and use tax work that led her to transfer into the practice full time, and she has remained dedicated to the field ever since, building deep expertise across 45 states. Throughout her career, she has taken pride in the tangible impact she has had on her clients, from recovering overpaid taxes and defending them through audits to helping them stay ahead of compliance issues before they escalate. Ms. Myers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, which she completed with Magna Cum Laude honors, and she has since earned her Certified Member of the Institute (CMI) designation through the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT). Her professional involvement extends well beyond her client work: she serves on the Board of Governors for IPT and is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as well as the Maryland Association for Certified Public Accountants (MACPA). Across her career, she has held progressively senior roles at organizations including BDO USA, TaxMatrix, and Stambaugh Ness, consistently focused on audit defense, reverse audits, nexus surveys, and voluntary disclosure work for her clients. Outside of her professional life, Ms. Myers is devoted to her husband and three children and enjoys watching her children compete in soccer, field hockey, and baseball. She also finds time for reading, trips to the beach, and travel, citing a semester abroad in Australia as one of the most memorable experiences of her life. Giving back to her community is also important to her, and she serves as a Board Member for Theater Arts for Everyone (TAFE), a local nonprofit that ensures anyone interested in theater, whether on stage or behind the scenes, has the opportunity to participate.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience. I have always kept moving forward and refused to give up, even when others doubted me or told me not to pursue a certain path.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women not to stop searching until they find the position and area of study that truly suits them. Accounting offers far more variety than most people realize in school, where the focus tends to be narrowly on income tax or auditing. I'd urge them to explore the different specialties within the field until they discover the one they genuinely love, and to never let anyone tell them they can't pursue it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my field, challenges and opportunities are often one and the same. Sales and use tax is governed at the state level, and every state approaches it differently, with laws, rates, and regulations constantly shifting. That complexity can be difficult to navigate, but it's also where I find the greatest opportunity to add value and guide my clients through the changes.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Adaptability matters most to me, being able to adjust and go with the flow as circumstances change. Alongside that, I place high value on hard work and bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to everything I do.
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