Milton D. Vine, CPA

A trend that was set a few years ago on the national level has come to Washington: CPAs in industry now outnumber their public accounting counterparts in both the AICPA's and the WSCPA's membership. Milton D. Vine of Bellevue is one CPA who's career moves account for that trend.

After 15 years in public accounting, Vine was "downsized" in 1991. He had time to consider what course to pursue next.

"I had taken personality and skill surveys which indicated a pattern consistent with people who are successful in small business," says Vine. "I had never thought about it, but when considering what to do, I thought something in manufacturing would be interesting."

Vine searched for a business, considering 15 different kinds along the way. Ultimately, he learned there was a bindery available-although he didn't even know what a bindery was at the time.

He made an appointment to visit the business and "after five and a half hours, we had a deal," recalls Vine. "The details were ironed out in two days and in four weeks it closed. I was now the owner of Seattle Bindery!"

Looking back on his career move, Vine says, "I believe that the skill surveys were right. I can manage a small business and I'm enjoying working in this blue-collar work environment. I have 40 employees. We're twice as big as when I bought the company in 1991."

Vine has been quick to immerse himself in his new industry. He's first vice-president of the Seattle chapter of the Craftsmen's Club, is on the board of Pacific Printing & Imaging (an industry group of owners and managers of print shops), and is on the finance committee of the Printing Industry of America.

Every time he gets a chance, he visits binderies throughout the country to see how they operate.

His community involvement is at a level no less intense than his commitment to his business. "My number one interest is Washington Business Week. I've been a company advisor for 10 years. I'm on the executive committee and find this endeavor to be most worthwhile," says Vine.

He's participated in board training for United Way, is former treasurer of the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, and was treasurer of the Seattle Commons project. "People must realize that community involvement is good for you and your company. I learned that from my mother, Ann Vine, who passed away recently. She was a fanatic about education and involvement."

Ann, also a CPA, was one of the founding partners of Vine, Dahlen and Werner in Lynnwood. Mother Ann and son Milt made up the only mother-son members of the WSCPA.

Milt and his wife, Janet, spend a great amount of time with their two daughters, ages 13 and 11. They enjoy the challenge of a growing family.

As to his CPA background, Milt says there is none better to provide a foundation for business. "My accounting experience taught me how business runs. There's no finer foundation."

So says Milt Vine, a successful small businessperson, a credit to his profession, his family, and his community.

Reprinted from the August 1997 issue of "The Washington CPA" the monthly newsletter of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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