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Professionals

The Firm's Visionaries

James E. Murphy, CPA
Managing Partner

Alexis (Lexy) Mehring, CPA
Senior Tax Manager

Nicholas A. Sickler, CPA
Attestation Manager

Timothy Lukoshus, CPA
Manager

James E. Murphy, CPA

Managing Partner

35 plus years industry experience

As one of the firm's visionaries, Jim has been instrumental in developing our estate planning, trusteeship, trust administration and wealth management services. With more than 35 years of industry experience, he advises clients on complex multigenerational planning issues, works with them to develop financial plans for their businesses, and administers or acts as trustee for hundreds of trusts. He also advises corporations in all areas of tax compliance and planning and occasionally serves as a corporation officer or acting CFO. Before joining John R. Waters & Company in 1981, Jim worked for the Internal Revenue Service and as a tax manager for a large national certified public accounting firm.

Jim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois CPA Society and John Carroll University Presidents Council, as well as a former officer of Ruth Lake Country Club. He is also involved in a wide range of philanthropic activities and is a founding donor of The NBC/John Carroll University Meet the Press Fellowship, created in honor of his friend Timothy J. Russert. Jim received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from John Carroll University.

Alexis (Lexy) Mehring, CPA

Senior Tax Manager

30 plus years industry experience

Lexy has been practicing accounting for over 30 years, with an emphasis on tax services. Before joining John R. Waters & Company in 1998, she worked for large and midsize CPA firms, performing all aspects of auditing, accounting and tax engagements.

Lexy’s experience is predominately in complex taxation, which includes compliance, research, planning, consulting and governmental agency audits for individuals, businesses, trusts and estates. Specifically, she works with high net-wealth individuals and companies in the service, technology, manufacturing, retail, wholesale and real estate sectors.

Lexy also educates and mentors staff members on taxation issues and topics. She has supported her community by serving on the board of directors of her town house association and through volunteer work with various charities.

Her professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, including its Tax Division, and the Illinois CPA Society. Lexy earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in taxation from DePaul University.

Nicholas A. Sickler, CPA

Attestation Manager

15 years of industry experience

Nick oversees the Audit and Attestation practice at John R. Waters & Company. Nick is in charge of various levels of assurance service; provides tax compliance and planning; and performs consulting services, encompassing mergers and acquisitions; and advises clients on proposed business sales. Ultimately, Nick helps businesses and individuals achieve their financial goals.

Before joining John R. Waters & Company as an intern in 2000 and then working full time as of 2001, he completed internships at large multinational corporations. Nick earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Purdue University.  Nick’s societal memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts, the Illinois CPA Society and Beta Alpha Psi, the national honorary organization for financial information. He serves on the board of directors for the Purdue Alumni Club of Chicago and The Chicago Chapter of the Risk Management Association.

Timothy Lukoshus, CPA

Manager

8 years of industry experience

Tim provides services that encompass the entire accounting spectrum – from payroll and bookkeeping to entities’ tax returns and attestation work that ranges from financial statement preparation to financial statement audits.

Tim joined John R. Waters in 2011, upon graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Contact Us

John R. Waters & Company

225 West Washington St., Suite 1120
Chicago, IL 60606
P: 312.554.3400
F: 312.554.3401

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