Family Owned – Community Committed

John completed an accounting degree in 1988, and a master’s degree in 1989, both at Central Michigan University. John married Heidi Brown in 1989. In 1991, John received his CPA license. John and Heidi purchased K & K Accounting in 1995. The purchase brought the couple, and their newborn boy, Joey, back to the Eaton County area where John grew up. Jacob came along in 1998. John has been practicing public accounting since his time at CMU, committing fully to his father’s advice, “It takes a lifetime to become a master of anything.” – Dr. Douglas Vanator

John and Heidi built on the firm they purchased, establishing themselves in the Eaton Rapids community as people of honesty and integrity, people who are committed to their clients. Both John and Heidi have been involved in numerous community organizations, such as City on a Hill Community Church, DDA of Eaton Rapids, Board of Eaton Rapids Medical Center, Board of Eaton Community Bank, Board of Education – Olivet Community Schools, Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics Michigan, Kiwanis, and the Tri-County Bicycle Association.

Heidi passed away in early 2015. John married Sue Holben in late 2016. John, Sue, and the rest of the family continue to cast visions for the future of what is now known as Vanators & Associates CPA PC, searching for God’s will, expecting to continue serving the community and our clients for a long time to come.

John isn’t done yet, but he’s on his way out! Did you notice that John lost about 40 square feet of office space in 2022?

Sue, being married to John, quickly realized the consuming nature of running an accounting firm. Having spent her career in insurance, working for Michigan Millers Insurance, then retiring from Auto-Owners Insurance, Sue sought out an avenue to use her skill here at Vanators.

Sue now works with the accounting team, assisting in their processing.

Joey graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2016 with his accounting degree, and has since been practicing here at Vanators. Joey married Mikaela Versluis in 2017. Joey and Mikaela moved into the Eaton County area when they married, and have recently welcomed their first born son, Cooper to the family.

Joey has become one of the centers of commerce here in our little office, and he, with his brother Jacob, are learning how to carry the burden of managing a small accounting firm.

Joey and Mikaela established themselves in the Eaton Rapids community, building on the family’s presence in the area. Both Joey and Mikaela serve at City on a Hill Community Church in various roles.

Jacob completed his accounting degree in 2018, and an MBA in 2019, both at Central Michigan University. Jacob has been practicing public accounting at Vanators since having been in interview for the position for the first 21 years of his life. In 2020, Jacob received his CPA license.

Jacob grew up wrestling with his calling as an accountant, often comparing accounting to other fields. In college, Jacob solidified his plans to pursue a career in Accounting and began preparing himself for work at the family firm. Jacob now finds his calling as an accountant fits, and is excited about his future at Vanators!

Jacob participates in the community through his involvement in Rotary.

Josiah has been practicing public accounting at Vanators since 2015. Josiah graduated from Davenport University in December 2018 with his accounting degree.

Josiah caught the disease in high school. He met Joey in Band, and the two served as drum majors together. The payroll department needed a couple of extra hands, and Josiah now runs the place.

VK has been practicing public accounting at Vanators since 2013. VK received his EA designation in 2022.

VK came to Vanators when more hands were needed in both the tax preparation and accounting departments. VK has established himself as a valuable part of the team.

Crystal has been practicing public accounting at Vanators since 2019. Crystal came to Vanators when more hands were needed in the payroll department. Crystal now works alongside Josiah, making sure each client is treated in line with honesty, integrity, and the client-service-centered vision that John established years ago. In 2020, Crystal received her associate’s degree in accounting from Lansing Community College.

Mary came to Vanators to help Marsha Wood run the front office. With several successful tax seasons now behind her, Mary shines as an example of how to conduct business with the public.

Along with her customer management skill, Mary has that rare green thumb. She helps manage the Earth to Table Urban Garden. It might go without saying, but for the record, all the greenery around the office is maintained by Mary, or is maintained under her supervision.

Hollie Lane has been working with the accounting staff for almost a year.

In addition to her training and experience as an accountant, Hollie is a person of artistic talent, regularly preforming with the Audio Air Force.