James is the managing member of Arete Partners. He has been serving in this role since the firm’s founding in 2011. Through Arete Partners, James primarily works with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and many other professionals in a variety of industries. Overall, he personally works with his clients through business coaching, serving as a virtual CFO, and providing tax and accounting services.

James attended the University of Phoenix where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Before starting his own firm, he worked in a management position with a 40 person regional CPA firm. During his 16 year tenure, he oversaw the small business services area of the practice. It was here that he discovered his passion for the entrepreneurial spirit and realized a genuine need of many small business owners for the right mentors and advisors, but at an affordable cost.

Furthermore, James is active within his industry. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana State Society of CPAs.He has also served on the boards of the New Orleans Chapter of Association for Corporate Growth and the New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association. Additionally, he has taught on subjects such as business budgets and forecasts as well as business accounting and QuickBooks. Most recently, James is a proud graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.