About Us

James A. Bales, EA
President

Jim grew up in the Houstonia area and graduated from Pettis Co. R-V’s Northwest High School.  He then attended Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree majoring in accounting.  During college, Jim spent three and one-half years working for a CPA firm in Warrensburg.  In July 1990, Jim started his own firm called James A. Bales, Accounting which later became Tax Pro.  The business has since been incorporated as JAB Tax, Inc. and is doing business as Tax Pro.

In 1994, Jim attained the professional designation of Enrolled Agent and is licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.  He is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), Missouri Society of Enrolled Agents (MoSEA), American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), and the Missouri Society of Accountants (MSA).  Jim has served on the board of directors and as president of MoSEA.

Jim still lives in the Houstonia area.  He currently serves on the school board of the Pettis Co. R-V school district.  Jim has been involved with local youth by coaching several youth baseball and soccer teams.  As owner of Tax Pro, he has been a proud long-time sponsor of the Paul Klover Soccer Association.

Michelle Ragsdale
Staff Accountant

Michelle grew up in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. After Graduating from Pleasant Hill High School, she continued on to study accounting at University of Central Missouri, earning her Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree with a major in Accounting in December of 2008, and her Masters of Arts in Accountancy in December of 2010. She gained experience at two public accounting firms in Overland Park, KS before joining Tax Pro in July of 2011 and is in the process of gaining her Certified Public Accountant license.

Currently, Michelle lives in Warrensburg with her husband, Robert, and enjoys cooking and baking, running, and performing during the summer with the Warrensburg Community Band.

Barbara Kasak
Seasonal Tax Preparer

Barbara (Shrout) Kasak has lived in the Smithton area her entire life. She is a graduate of Smithton School and attended Central Missouri University for two years majoring in business. Barbara worked for Mary Cusick Tax Service from 1967 until 1982 and then worked for Prudential Insurance Company for 15 years. After leaving Prudential, she returned to work for Cusick Tax Service until 2003 and joined Tax Pro after they purchased Cusick's tax service.