graduated with a BS degree majoring in accounting from the University of Maine in 1962 and the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking in 1976. He was employed by the State of Maine as a bank examiner (think of Mr. Carter played by Charles Halton in It’s a Wonderful Life) for 14 years, and has been the office manager for two General Motors dealerships, A&S Motors and Clay GMC. During th
is time, he also prepared tax returns part time as what today would be called a side-gig. Initially he worked for Reggie Clay, who I believe had an office supply store where Pat Locke’s office is located today. spent many late hours working with clients at his kitchen table in his Lee Street home back then! At one time a small office was located upstairs in the home, and then moved to the foyer by the front porch. In 1989 Bruce and Emmy took the tax business full time, remodeling the basement into an office with its own entrance. It was known then as Triple Check (a franchise) Tax and Business Services. passed the Enrolled Agent exam, and since then has been enrolled to practice before the IRS for tax payers needing representation (tax court, offers-in-compromise, etc.). The business steadily grew, providing tax and payroll services to the area. A few years before I left the Air Force, Dad asked me if I had an interest in the business, as he was at the point of needing to take on a partner, or hold the growth until I could join him. In the fall of 2001 I (Bruce Jr.) joined the business, following a 20 year US Air Force career. At that time the business went fully independent (no franchise) as Barker Business Services. Prior to my retiring, I prepared tax returns for military members and retirees at both KI Sawyer AFB, MI and Dyess AFB, TX as an IRS VITA volunteer. I have graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with an associate’s degree, passed the IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer exam in 2012, and annually complete all training to be recognized by the IRS as participating in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program. In 2005 Denyse joined us and started processing payroll. Today she is here beside me as she handles the phone, manages appointments, takes care of our payroll clients, and prepares sales tax returns. In 2015 Bruce Sr and Emmy sold their home of nearly 50 years to downsize. On December 7th, 2015 we moved to our current location, upstairs (instead of the basement, hey, we have windows and can see the sky!) over Modern Woodmen of America, at 211 Enfield Road, still in Lincoln. With over 40 years accounting, banking, payroll and income tax preparation experience the Barkers have been serving clients in the greater Lincoln area since 1976.
