Being accessible, trusted, and involved in the conversations that matter most is how Paul Gerrish supports his clients and builds lasting relationships.

Paul Gerrish is a Partner at Walter Shuffain, where he serves closely held business owners and individuals as a trusted advisor with a focus on tax compliance and planning, estate planning, and long-term financial strategy. With more than three decades of experience in public accounting, Paul is known for building deep, enduring relationships with clients who value thoughtful guidance and proactive communication. 

Paul began his career at a local CPA firm immediately after college, where he spent 23 years developing his practice and ultimately became a partner. Eight years ago, he transitioned his practice to Richardson and Company after meeting Steve Richardson and recognizing an opportunity to continue delivering the level of personalized service his clients had come to rely on. The majority of Paul’s clients moved with him, reflecting the strength and trust of those long-standing relationships. Today, Paul continues that same advisory approach at Walter Shuffain. 

Much of Paul’s work centers on advanced tax planning for closely held business owners, many of whom have connections to real estate activities. Over time, his role frequently extends beyond tax compliance into comprehensive, long-term planning for tax efficiency. Paul advises clients on strategies that integrate income tax planning with wealth transfer and estate considerations, including entity structuring, real estate transactions, 1031 exchanges, cost segregation studies, and other forward-looking approaches designed to manage tax exposure over the long term. 

Estate planning and estate administration have become a growing area of Paul’s expertise. He works closely with estate planning attorneys and brings a practical perspective to wealth transfer strategies, trust funding, and post-life administration. Clients rely on Paul to guide them through estate and trust returns, understand newly created structures, and manage responsibilities during periods of transition. 

Known for his accessibility, Paul encourages clients to reach out early and often believing it is far better to have a conversation well before a transaction occurs. His long-term, relationship-focused approach has led to multi-generational client relationships, with Paul advising parents, children, and, in some cases, grandchildren. 

Looking ahead, Paul plans to continue supporting his core clients while also serving as a mentor and resource to other professionals within the firm. He values collaboration, knowledge sharing, and maintaining an environment where advisors are deeply engaged in helping clients succeed.