Robin Bell

Partner, Armanino Advisory LLC

There is no I in team.

Contact Me

Bio

Meet Robin

Robin has more than 25 years of accounting, auditing and tax experience and is a key member of the Tax practice who is known for her tax knowledge and advice. She works with a wide variety of privately owned businesses, primarily in the real estate, distribution and construction industries. As a trusted business advisor, Robin teaches her clients how to operate efficiently and gain an edge on their competition. Robin also serves as controller or CFO for some clients.

Prior to joining Armanino, Robin was a partner in the Tax practice at Brown Smith Wallace. A 1984 graduate of the University of Tennessee, she holds a B.S. in criminal justice with a minor in accounting and is a licensed CPA.

Contact Robin Bell

Experience

Professional History

Associations

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MOCPA)

Community

  • Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts
  • University of Tennessee Alumnae Association
  • Women's Foundation of Greater St. Louis

Education

  • University of Tennessee

Experience

  • Brown Smith Wallace LLP

Honors/Awards

  • 2008 MOCPA Woman to Watch
  • Five Star Certified Public Accountant

Q&A

Q. Make a prediction; describe your vision of the future of the general business environment for your area of expertise or the industries you serve.
Technology is going to drive the future of business in ways we can’t even begin to identify today. Our clients need to be more flexible and agile to adapt and move forward in how they plan and respond to change. Technology will drive how we deliver to our clients which is exciting because it means we can provide more services than before.
Q. What is the toughest decision you have ever made?
Moving from Memphis to St. Louis for a job transfer. I was recently married, knew no one and had zero family in the area. That was 30 years ago, and I am still here. I don’t regret the decision, as I ended up raising my family here; regardless, it was tough to leave a place I was familiar with and move. I was able to test myself and take myself out of my comfort zone.
Q. What do you think is one misconception about accounting?
When the general public hears “tax simplification,” that is just not what it is about. People believe that taxes are being simplified when, in fact, they are not. Every change in the presidency makes it more complicated.
Q. Describe your work style.
Flexible, adaptable, agile and moving with the needs of clients. 
Q. What’s your proudest moment?
When I was asked to be a partner. Especially because in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, you didn’t see many accounting firms with women holding the partner title. I was proud of myself but also proud that I worked for a firm that recognized my value.
Q. What do you love most about your work?
I live for the client interaction — I like helping clients achieve their goals no matter what they are. Aligning our work with clients’ goals and setting clients up for future-forward thinking is how we achieve greatness together. There is no I in team.
Read More