Why I Started a Tax Firm for the Western Way of Life

Oct 23, 2026 · @Charla Farris

My roots in agriculture run deep. I was born in Gunnison, Colorado, and called Colorado home until 2024, when my husband and I moved to Oklahoma, looking for more opportunities in agriculture and room to grow our cattle operation.

We celebrated  40 years of marriage in June. We were both raised in agriculture, and today we work side by side raising SimAngus cattle, with a focus on high-quality replacement heifers. Our youngest son lives here in Oklahoma and works the ranch alongside us. Our oldest works in the rodeo industry with the PBR.

Some of my favorite moments come in spring and fall. Spring brings what I call "the races," watching calves run and play on cool mornings. By fall, I get to see what those calves have become as we pick the top end for our own herd and for other producers.

Ranching teaches you things about money that most businesses never have to learn. Income comes in seasons, not paychecks. Cash flow is uneven. Some decisions take years to pay off, and the weather gets a vote in all of them. That's the world I started A Cut Above Business Solutions to serve.

The road that got me here

I spent many years in the accounting industry, along with corporate finance and small business. I'm an Enrolled Agent, Main Street Tax Advisor, a Certified Dave Ramsey Financial Coach, and a Profit Strategist.

I started the firm on a simple belief: profit is better than wages. I wanted to build a business of my own that gave me control of my schedule and let me stay hands-on at the ranch. Running my own firm lets me do both.

That choice is the same one many of my clients have made. They want to build something of their own, and they want it to last.

What ranchers were missing

Too many ranchers and rural business owners get surface-level advice. Their tax preparer sees a stack of receipts once a year. Nobody asks whether the cow-calf side is making money, how to plan around a drought sale, or whether the operation is set up to hold up if the IRS ever takes a closer look.

That isn't because they don't care. It's because agriculture is different, and you can't advise on what you don't understand. I've traveled the same rural roads as my clients, literally and financially. I know what a hard winter does to the books, and I know the difference between a hobby and a real operation, because I live it.

The folks I work with want clarity, discipline, and a financial partner who understands both the numbers and the realities behind them. That's what I set out to build.

Because I'm a rancher and business owner myself, I know the numbers on a financial statement are more than numbers. They stand for long days, risk, families, land, livestock, equipment, and often a legacy someone is working hard to build. My goal is to help clients understand where they stand and make smart decisions all year, not just react when tax season arrives. That includes planning for the future: business entities, trusts, and legacy planning.

What we do, and how we do it

We're ranchers and business owners ourselves, and we understand the hustle, the heartache, and the hope of growing something. I want clients to feel like family. I don't want to be someone you hear from once a year at tax time. I want to be a trusted partner who cares about your business, your operation, and the family behind it.

We help with four things:

• Tax strategy and preparation, planned year-round, not just in April

• Bookkeeping that shows where your operation really stands

• Financial oversight, CFO-level guidance without a full-time CFO

• Financial coaching, so you have a clear picture of your capital and your next move

Ranching is where we started, but the same approach works for real estate investors, small business owners, and nonprofits. Anyone running something real deserves advice that fits it.

Four values guide how we work:

• Loyalty. We build relationships that last and stay invested in your success.

• Integrity. We hold ourselves to high standards of honesty and ethics.

• Respect. Every client is treated with dignity, and every operation is different.

• Accountability. We keep our promises and stay transparent.

Let's talk

We're still settling into our Oklahoma community. Ag Women Connect helped me start meeting people after the move, and I'm involved with our local cattlemen's association. The ranch is growing, and so is the firm.

Whether I'm working cattle, helping a business owner understand their numbers, or finding my place in a new community, I try to live by two principles: always take the high road, even when it's hard, and never stop learning, because you can learn something new every day.

Whether you're running cows full time, building a rental portfolio, or growing a business in town, my goal is to help you treat your passion like a business, because it is one.

If you're tired of guessing and ready to feel in control of your finances, book a discovery call or reach us at 918-931-3322. I'd love to hear about your operation.

Charla Farris, EA, MSTA, CFMCFounder, A Cut Above Business Solutions

This post is for general informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Reading it does not create a client relationship. Tax laws change often, and this information is current as of the date posted. Every situation is different, so talk with a qualified tax professional before acting on anything here.