CPA in Louisville & Jeffersontown · since 1997
Your return, prepared by the CPA whose name is on it.
At most firms, junior staff prepare your return and a CPA signs it. At Bluegrass Professional Associates, Matthew L. Ward, CPA — a former CFO with an audit background — prepares every return himself, then stays on call year-round for the decisions that shape next year’s.
Free initial consultation, up to 30 minutes. No pressure, no obligation.
- KY CPALicense #11938
- Experience25+ years
- In businessSince 1997
- OwnershipVeteran-owned
- SoftwareQuickBooks ProAdvisor
- AvailabilityYear-round
Who actually does the work
A boutique practice, on purpose.
Staff handle document requests, scanning, payroll and bookkeeping. Every matter that needs a CPA goes to Matthew — which is why clients like George Davis have stayed since 2010.
| Service approach | Bluegrass Professional Associates | Other Louisville CPA firms |
|---|---|---|
| Who prepares your return | Matthew L. Ward, CPA, personally prepares all returns | Junior staff prepare returns, CPA only reviews |
| Advisory work | Direct CPA involvement in all advisory work | Limited CPA involvement in day-to-day matters |
| Delegation | No delegation of tax preparation to junior staff | Multiple people handle different aspects of your case |
| Talking to your CPA | Matthew steps in for all matters requiring CPA expertise | You may never speak directly with the CPA |
| Consistency | Efficient communication without sacrificing quality | Inconsistent expertise across your account |
Services
Tax, books and the IRS — handled by one CPA.
From routine returns to complex multi-entity structures, for businesses and individuals who expect accuracy and strategic thinking.
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Business Tax Services
S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership and LLC preparation with advice built in — so the return is the last step of a plan, not a surprise.
- S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership & LLC returns
- Multi-state filings
- Entity structure decisions
- Quarterly estimates
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Individual Tax Preparation
Complex personal returns handled by a CPA — rental real estate, high income, and income earned in more than one state.
- Business owners’ personal returns
- Real estate professionals
- High-income individuals
- Multi-state filings
- Investment property reporting
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Bookkeeping & Financial Services
Monthly books, QuickBooks setup and training, and financial statements you can make decisions from — from a QuickBooks ProAdvisor.
- Monthly bookkeeping
- QuickBooks setup & training
- Financial statements
- Cash-flow visibility
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IRS Problem Resolution
A letter from the IRS is not the time to go it alone. Get a CPA between you and the notice.
- Audit representation
- IRS notices & letters
- Payment plans
- Penalty abatement
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Tax Planning & Advisory
Year-round planning from a former CFO with an audit background — equipment purchase timing, owner compensation and multi-entity structure, decided before year-end.
- Proactive year-round strategy
- Equipment purchase timing
- Reasonable compensation analysis
- Multi-entity structure planning
S-Corp preflight check
Run the checklist before the IRS does.
Many CPAs say they handle S-Corporations. Few work through the details that save — or cost — owners thousands. These are the five issues Matthew solves for S-Corp owners most often. Tick any that apply to you.
Free initial S-Corp consultation available: we’ll discuss your current structure, what you’re trying to solve, and whether a full S-Corp analysis is the right next step.
All clear so far — tick any item that applies.
How we work with you
Four steps, no surprises.
- 01
Initial consultation
A thorough review of your current tax situation, business structure and goals. This isn’t a sales call — it’s a diagnostic process to understand your needs.
- 02
Strategic recommendations
Clear recommendations for tax optimization, compliance improvements and structural changes that could benefit your situation.
- 03
Implementation & ongoing support
We handle the technical implementation and provide year-round guidance as your business evolves — no more waiting until tax season.
- 04
Proactive planning
Quarterly check-ins when needed, estimated payment guidance and advance planning for major business decisions.
Client reviews
“A game changer.”
Bluegrass Prof and Assoc, LLC has changed my life. After years of using a broken system to handle both my personal and business taxes, having Matt Ward and his team step in and complete my tax returns, provide templates to help me get information in an organized format, and begin tax planning early, has been a game changer!
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The team at Bluegrass Professional Services have been doing a great job for our business since 2010. They are always professional and efficient in their work & communication, as well as save us thousands with their excellent skills we hire them for.
— George Davis -
The first thing Matt did was file an amended return for 2013 and I got a nice check from the Internal Revenue Service. There had been mistakes made on that return. Needless to say, I have been with them since then.
— Linda Roe -
Fantastic service and attention to detail. Definitely my ‘go to’ for all of my accounting needs both personal and business. It’s all about peace of mind!
— John K. -
Always professional, all notifications come on time, very easy to communicate with. My contact there is Tiffany Jones. I gave 5 stars because of her.
— RSM Louisville
Meet your CPA
Matthew L. Ward, CPA
Matt’s career began in taxation and governmental and not-for-profit auditing, then expanded into CFO roles in the private sector. He has prepared financial statements for 25 years and is known for turning complicated tax law into practical, strategic decisions.
- License
- Kentucky CPA #11938
- Education
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration, University of Louisville
- Service
- Army Infantry Veteran — discipline and problem-solving brought to financial strategy
- Background
- Former CFO with an audit background; QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Our mission: to empower decision-makers with timely and accurate information.
Get to know Matt
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In the cockpit -
On the lake -
On the ice -
At home
Areas we serve
Louisville Metro, Kentucky, and beyond.
Our office sits in Hurstbourne Village Office Park off Bunsen Parkway — a quick hop from I-64 and Jeffersontown. Clients across Kentucky and in other states work with us remotely.
Counties
- Jefferson County
- Oldham County
- Bullitt County
- Spencer County
- Shelby County
Kentucky cities
Who we serve
- Attorneys & professional services
- Doctors & medical practices
- Consultants
- Contractors & trades
- Real estate
- Retail & e-commerce
- Restaurants & food
Who actually prepares my return at Bluegrass Professional Associates?
Matthew L. Ward, CPA personally prepares every return. Our staff handle document requests, scanning, payroll and bookkeeping, and Matthew steps in for every CPA matter — so the person who signs your return is the person who did the work.
How much does a CPA cost for a small business in Louisville?
Business tax returns typically run $1,500–$3,000 a year depending on complexity. Comprehensive advisory relationships average $2,000–$3,000 in the first year. Pricing is transparent and quoted upfront.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The initial consultation is free and runs up to 30 minutes. We talk through your general tax situation, the services you may need, our process and fees, and whether we are a good fit. Tax research and specific planning recommendations come after you become a client.
Do you specialize in S-Corporations?
Yes. We regularly help S-Corp owners with reasonable compensation and payroll compliance, the salary-versus-distribution balance, multi-owner structures and buy-sell agreements, election timing and revocation, and avoiding compliance mistakes that draw IRS scrutiny.
Can you help if I received an IRS notice or audit letter?
Yes. We provide IRS audit representation and handle notices, payment plans and penalty abatement requests.
Where are you located and what areas do you serve?
Our office is in Hurstbourne Village Office Park off Bunsen Parkway in Louisville, easily reached from I-64 and Jeffersontown. We serve Louisville Metro and Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer and Shelby counties, plus clients across Kentucky and multi-state clients nationwide.
Ready when you are
Get a CPA who knows your return line by line.
Call the office or book your free initial consultation. Year-round, not just in April.