Meet the Staff

Owner

Sarah Gibbens, CPA

Raised in Johnston City, Sarah graduated from Johnston City High School in 1978 where she would go on to attend Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. From there she received her CPA designation from the University of Illinois in 1984. After college, Sarah worked for Diagraph Bradley in Marion for 9 years doing various types of accounting work, most notably holding the title of Comptroller for the International Division. It was then she decided to go into business for herself, starting Sarah Gibbens, CPA from her own home office in 1992 and growing it into the business that it has become today. Altogether Sarah has over 35 years of experience in the accounting field. She has done everything from income taxes for thousands of Southern Illinois residents, payroll and bookkeeping for many area businesses, municipal and not-for-profit audits, to what she takes the most pride in, consulting individuals and business on their tax and accounting issues. When not working, she enjoys reading, fishing and kayaking with her husband Ron, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Staff Accountant

Laura Cobb

Also from Johnston City, Laura graduated from Johnston City High School in 1980. After that she attended John A. Logan College and received her Associates in Applied Science in 1982. She followed that up by graduating from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. During her college years, Laura also worked for the family business, Coal Belt Fire Equipment learning all aspects of the business from customer service to sales tax and bookkeeping. After graduation from SIUC in ‘86, she began at Jay Bee Sales and was there until 2011, holding multiple roles from office manager, to billing and payroll specialist. It was in 2011 when she joined Sarah Gibbens, CPA & Associates and has become an asset to the company with her 30+ years of accounting experience and her expertise in QuickBooks and performing payroll and bookkeeping for our clients. When not in the office she enjoys shopping, decorating, working in her flower garden, and spending time with her husband Rick, daughter Ashley and her granddaughters Sadie and Averi.

Staff Accountant

Mitchell Kiel, CPA

From Golden Eagle, IL Mitch graduated from Brussels Community High School in 2007. After high school, he spent a year attending Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL where he was recruited to play basketball. Deciding instead to focus on his studies he transferred to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance. Upon graduation, he began studying for the Series 7 and Series 66, which he received while being a financial advisor for Edward Jones in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2013 he took his knowledge of investments and sales to PNC Bank where he spent two years helping his clients reach their investment goals. When given an opportunity to work for Sarah in 2015 he took it, performing bookkeeping and doing individual and business income tax returns, as well as making frequent trips to Southern Illinois to help Sarah and Laura on audits. Mitch is planning to return to school in order to receive his CPA, as well. Mitch is married to Sarah’s daughter Jessica and in his spare time enjoys playing sports of all kinds, being outdoors, and visiting with his family and friends.