Story and photography by Nathan Sparks
Michelle Amelse’s proactive approach to accounting and business growth
Appeared in Cityview Magazine, Vol. 41, Issue 6 (Nov/Dec 2025)
Accounting isn’t known for surprises—and that’s exactly how Knoxville CPA Michelle Amelse likes it. At her firm, Amelse & Edmonds CPAs, she believes the best way to run a business is with no financial curveballs, only clear strategy and steady communication. Her mission: replace year-end panic with year-round peace of mind.
A Legacy in Ledgers
Michelle grew up in the business. Her father has been a CPA in Knoxville for more than 45 years, and she started helping him with bookkeeping when she was barely a teenager. “He’d call it ‘write-up work,’” she says. “I was 13 or 14, entering checks for his clients.” Even so, accounting wasn’t her first career choice. She began college as a pre-med major before realizing her real passion was in numbers and strategy. “I love solving the puzzle—putting all the numbers together to help people reach their goals,” she says.
Building a Firm on Strategy and Service
After earning her degree from Austin Peay and gaining a decade of experience, Michelle launched her own firm eight years ago. What began as a two-person operation has grown into a thirteen-member team offering full-service accounting, tax planning, bookkeeping, and consulting.
“The value in full-service accounting is that we take those tasks off a business owner’s plate so they can focus on what they do best,” she explains. “Our goal is to handle the details—accurately, efficiently, and proactively—so they can focus on growth.”
Proactive, Not Reactive
That proactive mindset defines her firm’s approach. “It used to be that a bookkeeper was enough,” Michelle says. “But today’s tax codes and financial regulations are so complex that every business needs an expert CPA on their team. We stay involved throughout the year so our clients never face unpleasant surprises.”
Rather than simply preparing taxes at year’s end, Amelse & Edmonds maintains regular communication with clients, analyzing financials each quarter and adjusting strategy in real time. “We generally find that we save clients more money than we cost in fees,” Michelle says. “That’s through smart tax planning, savings strategies, and helping them avoid costly mistakes before they happen.”
More Than Numbers
That partnership extends far beyond the numbers. “Finance touches every part of life,” she says. “If I understand what a client is going through—personally and professionally—I can help them make decisions that support both their business and their overall goals.”
Each client relationship begins with a deep-dive conversation. “We sit down and learn about their process, their goals, and how they’re currently managing their books,” Michelle explains. “From there, we show them exactly how our process will make their business smoother and less stressful.” Clients gain full transparency through a secure online portal that allows them to view their books in real time. “There are no secrets here,” she adds. “We’re partners in their success.”
Watching Clients Thrive
Her favorite moments come when long-time clients reach milestones they once thought impossible. “I started working with one client over ten years ago when they had two locations. Now they have thirty,” she says with pride. “That’s what drives me—knowing that while so many people stress over tax season, my clients can relax, confident everything’s handled.”
10160 Parkside Drive, Suite 200
Knoxville, TN 37922
865-288-2200
amelsecpa.com
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