About us
We are a team of experienced small business advisors dedicated to helping our clients reach their financial goals and secure their financial future
Guardian Tax Consultants, established in 2011, has built a proven system that specializes in the design, implementation, and compliance of tax mitigation strategies.
Our pioneering efforts have expanded the use of tax strategies typically only available to ultra-high-net-worth individuals to the small business space, including the use of Management Service Organizations (MSOs) for asset protection and tax reduction. We strategically partner with CPAs, attorneys, and professional advisors across the United States to deliver tailored advice and consulting to business owners.
Our leadership team
Our team of business financial advisors is ready to help you grow wealth and prosperity purposefully, and leave a meaningful legacy confidently.
We help privately held companies reduce their federal income taxes annually, returning cash to grow and protect their business and family wealth.
© Guardian 2023. All rights reserved.
Guardian Tax Consultants does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Learn more at www.guardiantaxconsultants.com
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Alexander Jones
CEO, EA, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA
With over 20 years of experience, Alex Jones is a nationally respected leader in tax strategy, financial planning, and succession architecture for privately held businesses. As the Founder of the Guardian Family of Companies, including Guardian Tax Consultants, Alex has built a powerful platform to solve complex tax, legal, and financial challenges. His firms are trusted by high-net-worth individuals, family enterprises, and closely held companies to deliver clarity, compliance, and results.
To help privately held businesses safeguard and scale both their business and personal wealth, monetize their business exit, and mitigate taxes. Through Guardian Tax Consultants, clients receive a powerful combination of technical strategy, compliance protection, and forward-looking advice—designed to reduce risk, increase liquidity, and drive measurable outcomes.
To drive this purpose, Alex co-founded Guardian Tax Consultants alongside Michael Claudio, creating a firm designed to bridge the gap between technical tax expertise and long-term business planning strategy.
Guardian Tax Consultants specializes in the design, execution, and service of Management Service Organizations (MSOs). The firm partners with advisory, accounting, and legal firms to help privately held businesses reduce taxes and increase liquidity. Guardian’s planning models are built to generate cash flow that funds broader strategies, empowering firms to protect their clients’ businesses, increase shareholder value, and create legacy-level outcomes.
Alex has also built a trusted national network of industry experts across tax, legal, and financial disciplines—including advanced insurance providers, comprehensive wealth management firms, family offices, and mergers & acquisitions professionals. This collaborative network is focused on one goal: helping privately held business owners protect, grow, and monetize the enterprise value of their companies in preparation for an eventual exit.
– Enrolled Agent (EA): The only credential issued directly by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS, granting Alex unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS nationwide.
– Certified Financial Planner (CFP®): The gold standard for comprehensive personal financial planning.
– Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®): Advanced financial planning for complex and high-net-worth clients.
– Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®): Expertise in insurance strategy, estate liquidity, and wealth transfer.
– Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA): The leading credential for helping privately held businesses prepare for successful transitions and maximize enterprise value.
– Privately Held Business Tax Strategy & MSO Structuring
– IRS Representation & Tax Defense
– Premium Finance & Insurance Architecture
– Succession, Exit & Estate Planning
– Advanced Planning for Family Enterprises
– Partnership Advisory for CPA, Legal, and Wealth Advisory Firms
– National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)
– Finseca (formerly AALU/GAMA)
– National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP)
– Financial Planning Association (FPA)
– Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP)
– Financial Services Institute (FSI)
– Lion Street – A national network of elite financial professionals and insurance specialists
– Simplicity Life – EPG – An elite planning group within Simplicity specializing in advanced insurance strategies and case design
Michael Claudio
President, CEPA
Michael is the guy who ensures things run smoothly and dependably–i.e. everything you want in your financial and tax consultant! With an extensive background as a quality control engineer and 25 years in the automotive sector, Mike oversees and develops the processes that create a seamless client experience and provide quality control for client strategies.
Prior to joining Guardian, he founded and sold a large quality control and engineer staffing firm with over 300 employees.
Mike combines his expertise in quality control and operations management along with his business owner experience and mindset to help understand Guardian’s clients and provide a next-level experience.
John Marshall
Operations Integrator
John has extensive experience in business development, organizational management, and team building. His career spans various roles, from managing his own enterprise to leading initiatives in large multinational corporations. John has contributed significantly across public, private, and non-profit sectors.
He has pioneered advancements in seventeen different industries. Most notably, he played a key role in Wilson Lumber’s impressive growth, achieving a 500% increase in organic revenue and a 400% expansion in operations over the past seven years. This success is a testament to his consistent track record.
John’s expertise extends nationally and internationally, providing products, services, and management solutions. He is a distinguished leader in the business world, continually driving success in every endeavor.
Jake Valente
Client Relations Manager
Jake Valente specializes in client relationship management at Guardian Tax Consultants. Before joining our team, he worked as a project manager for four years. Originally from New York, Jake graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a degree in Economics and Mathematics. In 2016, he moved to Nashville and worked as a touring and studio drummer on Broadway. Jake’s diverse background and expertise in managing projects and client relationships make him a dynamic and valuable member of our team.
Codey Paeth
Client Relations Admin
Originally from Chicago, Codey Paeth has six years of experience in the mortgage industry, specializing in operations, prior to joining our team at Guardian Tax Consultants. Known for his exceptional attention to detail, Codey ensures that all processes are executed with precision and efficiency. His dedication and meticulous approach make him a valuable asset to our team, consistently contributing to the smooth and successful operation of our services.
Krista Prince
Administrative and Financial Coordinator
An Alabama Native, Krista Prince graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Finance. She has six years of experience in business operations, with a background that includes property management, marketing, multi-family mortgage brokerage, and finance. Additionally, Krista has experience in AI training, bringing a modern and innovative approach to her work. She brings a well-rounded perspective and a strong understanding of various business sectors to our team.
Lance Mize
CPA CGMA
Lance Mize is from Thompson Station, TN. He attended Mississippi College and has 20+ years of experience providing tax compliance and consulting services. He specializes in several industries including logistics, construction, real estate, and general small business.
Chelsea Rebeck
CPA, CFE, JD, LLM (Tax)
Chelsea is a CPA and attorney ‘Of Counsel’ with Guardian. She holds a Master of Law in Taxation and is a Certified Fraud Examiner with experience in tax law, tax controversy, and tax-related criminal and civil litigation. Chelsea has served as Senior Auditor for the United States Department of Defense. She is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, United States Tax Court, and the United States Court of Federal Claims.
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