Kathryn Schrader

Originally from the Point Pleasant, N.J. area, Kathryn Schrader exhibited entrepreneurial tendencies early in life. As a child, her father owned an auto body shop, and Kathryn enjoyed tagging along with her father’s accountant. This unlikely mentor gave her a life-defining piece of advice: “My father’s accountant told me that I could learn any business as long as I understood the numbers,” Kathryn recalls.

At 14, she began selling ice cream by the beach on the Point Pleasant boardwalk. She worked several jobs in high school, and began learning about business management at a skating rink, where she sold tickets, handled concessions, and worked in the skate shop. She also became a skilled roller skater, eventually winning the Southern Regional Silver Medal in her discipline.  Today, she volunteers as an instructor and speed skating coach for the Hard Knox Roller Derby Girls in her spare time.

After her family moved to East Tennessee in 1978, Kathryn graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee in 1982 with a B.S. in Accounting.  In 1990, she earned her MBA from UT with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Organizational Management, and shortly after became a Certified Management Accountant, giving her the perfect skill set for helping small businesses thrive.

Before forming Strategic Tax and Business, Kathryn worked with several different companies in both public accounting and corporate management positions. For 14 years, she also owned and operated Management Consulting Services, where she specialized in tax and bookkeeping services, fraud investigation, and forensic records reconstruction for corporations, individuals and non-profits.

For over 15 years, Kathryn Schrader served as an Adjunct Professor at Tennessee Wesleyan College, teaching courses in Principles of Marketing, Supervisory Management, Principles of Management, Accounting Information Systems, Administrative Office Management, Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Human Resources Management.

Professional development has always been important to Kathryn. She has been a member of the Institute of Management Accountants since 1990, held a seat on the board of directors of the Knoxville Chapter from 1990 to 2011, and served as it’s president from 1999-2000. Kathryn also served as the inaugural president of the local chapter of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. She is also active in a local Business Network International (BNI) chapter

Active in the community, Kathryn has served as treasurer for numerous organizations including the Greater Karns Business Association, Entrepreneurs of Knoxville and Gulf Park Recreation Association. She is a former member of the American Diabetes Association’s Leadership Council, and attends Two Rivers Church.

To get in touch with Kathryn, send her an email at kathryn@strategictaxandbusiness.com!