Ralph J. Stephens

Ralph J. Stephens, CPA/ABV/CFF, JD, is a Director in the P&N Tax Services Group. Ralph joined the firm in 1981 and became a Director in 1987. Prior to joining the firm, he practiced law. 

Ralph has provided tax planning advice and compliance services to a variety of industries, including distribution, wholesale, professional services, and others.  Ralph also provides business valuation and litigation services to clients in a broad spectrum of industries.

In the tax arena, Ralph has extensive knowledge regarding corporate taxation, individual taxation, partnership taxation, and consolidated returns. He assists his clients with Income and estate tax planning and compliance, succession planning, analyzing corporate business decisions. These areas include financial projections, valuations, financial statement interpretation, acquisitions, and sale planning. Additionally, he also assists clients with decisions in structuring business ventures in appropriate legal entities. He also assists with planning and implementing changes required by new legislation and jurisprudence.

Ralph is both Accredited in Business Valuation and Certified in Financial Forensics by the AICPA. He was a member of the AICPA Business Valuation Task force that issued the first standards for the AICPA for Business Valuation. He has served as an expert witness in numerous Federal and state courts throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South. He has been qualified as an expert in taxation, valuation, damages and accounting.  He has served as an examiner for the US Bankruptcy Court.

• Education & Certifications
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Accredited in Business Valuation
  • Certified in Financial Forensics
  • Juris Doctor
  • Law, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
  • Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Louisiana State University
• Professional Affiliations
  • Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Former Member, Business Valuation Standards Task Force, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member, CFF Credential Committee, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member, Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants
  • Past Chairman, Federal Tax Conference Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants
  • Past Chairman, Louisiana Tax Conference Committee, Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Louisiana Bar Association
  • Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association
• Civic Involvement
  • Board of Directors, Ruckstuhl Foundation
  • Board of Directors, Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation
  • Board of Directors (Past Chairman), SJA Foundation
  • Board of Directors - Treasurer, Louisiana Key Academy
  • Law Studies Teacher, Catholic High School
  • Board of Directors, Ruckstuhl Foundation
  • Board of Directors, Catholic-Presbyterian Apartments
  • Executive Committee, St. Vincent de Paul
  • Board of Directors, Vision 21 Foundation
  • Past Chairman, Louisiana Family Recovery Corps
  • Past Treasurer, Baton Rouge Area Foundation
  • Board of Directors - Past Chairman, Big Buddy Program
  • Board of Directors - Past Chairman, Hospice of Baton Rouge
  • Board of Directors - Past Chairman, Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge