MONTE VISTA — The Regency Tax and Bookkeeping Services Agency held its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, Feb. 16, with support from the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce and the OptiMystics Citizen Action Network.

Approximately 10 people attended the ceremony at the agency office, 260 Adams St.

Owner-operator Benjamin F. Terry took the big pair of scissors that MV Chamber manager Heather Hillin handed him and proceeded to cut the red ribbon. With a smile, Terry cut the ribbon, and everyone clapped as the celebration began.

Terry said that he has been an accountant for many years. He was originally trained to do taxes in 2001 by Jackson Hewitt.

“The first tax season when I saw how everything operated, I really became interested in becoming an accountant,” he said.

Terry has set up a home office in Monte Vista but said he will probably expand to Delta and other places too. Terry has a vision to set up his offices as franchise offices.

“I had my choice between Delta and Monte Vista. This right now is the home office,” he said. “What I have figured out is that bookkeeping wise, I have more clients here, but tax wise I have more clients in Delta.”

Terry said that as partners come in, the business will then expand.

Terry is originally from Texas but chose the Monte Vista area to move to because he was referred to the area by people from Delta.

Terry specializes in helping non-profit organizations. There are a lot of non-profit organizations that need help in the area, he said.

“My experience with the folks in the non-profit sector are a lot of next generation folks and they need a lot of help with what their duties are, as well as their work,” he said. “Many of them need help straightening their books out or making sure that their taxes have been filed right. A lot of them as second-generation owners, don’t understand all of that, so I have been having to educate them as we go along. I am a non-profit specialist, so this is where I can really be of use and help a lot of people.”

Terry explained that although non-profit organizations are his specialty, he also does all regular tax returns, including regular 1040s, self-employment returns, rental returns, business returns, and all other tax returns.

Terry is looking forward to servicing the area and meeting new people.

“It’s great to be a part of the community. I am looking forward to expanding and helping a lot of people with all their different tax needs,” Terry said.