Tax expert Karey Barton joins KPMG as managing director
Karey Barton, a former senior leader in the Texas Comptroller’s office, has joined KPMG US as a managing director in the firm's tax practice. He is based in Austin.
Barton joins the state and local tax (SALT) group within KPMG’s Washington national tax team, which numbers more than 200 professionals and supports clients with analysis, issue development, and advice related to international, federal, state, and local tax practice and administration. Many of the team’s professionals are former employees of the IRS, Treasury Department, and US Tax Court.
Barton brings more than 35 years of tax experience across consulting and government, including over 21 years at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – which oversees the state’s tax collection and accounting, among other areas.
Barton started his career at the Texas Comptroller in 1985, holding several senior positions, including director of tax policy. He left the agency in 2000 to run his consulting firm Barton Shoemate Consulting, which provided SALT services to clients, with a specialization in sales and franchise tax. Between 2005 and 2006, Barton served as tax director of the Texas Tax Reform Commission, which developed a plan to reform the state’s franchise tax and reduce school property taxes and was passed by the 79th Legislature.
Barton subsequently spent nearly seven years at tax consultancy Ryan, where he was a principal in the state income and franchise tax practice. In addition to assisting clients with Texas franchise tax, he also provided legislative, regulatory, and policy analysis services on tax-related issues.
He rejoined the Texas Comptroller’s office in 2015, spending the next seven years as associate deputy comptroller for tax – overseeing tax administration, taxpayer assistance, and compliance and enforcement.
“Well, it has come time for a change. I have officially retired from the Texas Comptroller's office effective October 31st and will be starting a new opportunity at KPMG on November 15th,” Barton said in a post on LinkedIn. “I would like to thank Comptroller Hegar for the opportunity to serve in his administration over the last 7 years and work with the many dedicated and highly skilled Comptroller co-workers. It has been a wonderful experience and gave me the chance to re-acquaint with old friends and make new friends. While this change was made with mixed emotions, I am really looking forward to my new opportunity and challenge at KPMG.”
KPMG US is the smallest member of the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, with revenue of $9.57 billion in 2021, according to Inside Public Accounting. The firm has more than 29,000 employees across 90 offices.
