Mike Giangrande, J.D., LL.M.
Federal Tax Editor

I can't count how many times in my tax career I acquired a new client and almost fell out of my chair when I learned how much they made in a profession I never gave a second thought about. Who's with me on this one? How many times have we, as tax professionals, uttered the words, "I should have been a ..."

Don't get me wrong — I enjoy what I do, and I provide well for my family. It also turns out that at 40 years old with 21 years of industry experience, it's a great position to be in with so many retiring tax professionals. But that was by accident, not because of great career advice when I was young.

Judge Judy is retiring from making new episodes of her eponymous show. It is reported that in 2013, she made approximately $47 million per year working just 52 days per year. In 2017, Forbes reported she earned $147 million pretax. It would be impossible to advise a young person on how to become the next Judge Judy, but what professions would you recommend a high school student pursue based on your tax experience? Below is a list of some professions I have run across that pay better than I would have expected and/or provide incredible benefits. The obvious ones, like doctors, are omitted.

E-mail me at mikeg@spidell.com if you have any you would like to add to this list.

Comptroller Zdan, EA
Editorial Director

In the March 3 election, in Los Angeles County, we voted a number of judges into office. While ordinarily these contests wouldn't have piqued much interest for me, I did have my eye on one: Los Angeles Superior Court Office No. 76.

That's because one of the candidates was Judge Mike Cummins. Doesn't seem so weird that a judge would be up for consideration for a seat on the Superior Court, right? Oh, naïve Tribune reader.

In 2017, Cummins had his name legally changed so that his first name is now "Judge." And when he announced he was running for Office No. 76, there was backlash. His opponent announced her intent to file a writ to block the Registrar-Recorder's Office from listing his first name "Judge" on the ballot because it could be misleading for voters.¹ Articles appeared calling him unfit for service and "a trickster." But it looks like merely calling attention to his stunt did the trick: Emily Cole won the spot with 84% of the vote.²

Taking a page out of Mr. Cummins' book, I think I'm going to change my name. I like Comptroller; it has less of a ring and more of a thud, but it should help me secure an election. Plus, I already have a great campaign slogan: "I put the ‘troll' in comptroller."