At LaPorte, our employees are more than just part of the team—they’re the heart of everything we do. Each individual brings unique skills, experiences, and passions that drive our success and enrich our workplace culture. In our “Faces of LaPorte” series, we’re shining a spotlight on the talented individuals who make LaPorte an exceptional place to work and grow. Through their stories, we aim to celebrate the diverse backgrounds, achievements, and contributions of our team members, giving you a closer look at the people who power our company every day.
We are pleased to introduce Hunter Ward, a Senior Tax Accountant who recently transferred from our Houston office to our Baton Rouge office, as one of our Faces of LaPorte. Throughout his career at LaPorte, Hunter has experienced steady professional growth, built meaningful relationships, and reached key milestones throughout his time here.
Hunter’s initially joined LaPorte as a summer intern seven years ago. “I continued to intern with LaPorte in Baton Rouge until I graduated, and then I moved to Houston to start full time as tax staff. LaPorte was my first accounting internship, and I haven’t had a desire to work anywhere else,” Hunter shares.
Hunter attributes his loyalty to LaPorte to the firm’s culture and values as well as the professional development of employees. “What initially drew me to work for LaPorte were the incredible people and the supportive work environment,” he explains. “From the beginning, I felt like I was valued by my colleagues. It was very welcoming—a great environment. I also appreciated the firm’s commitment to a good work-life balance, and I knew it was a place where I could grow both professionally and personally.”
“My day-to-day work as a tax senior is a mix of responsibilities,” he says. “I mainly review tax returns that our tax staff prepare to make sure they’re accurate and in compliance with all the tax regulations.”
Hunter’s day-to-day work also involves taking on a leadership role of training and mentoring the tax staff beneath him. “I take a lot of pride in developing the tax staff, because I had such incredible mentors and learned so much when I was starting my career. I want to pass that on to the next generation.”
His professional achievements are complemented by exciting personal milestones. Hunter and his wife are expecting their first child to be born in February. “We’re going to welcome a little girl into the world—Blair. We’re really excited and can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives,” Hunter shares.
Reflecting on his career, Hunter takes pride in the connections he’s built along the way. “I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and colleagues,” he says. “I’ve made lifelong friendships with people I’ve worked with. They’ve been to my wedding and been there for big, important parts of my life. I’m just really proud to work with this great team.”