Insights & News

Q&A with Christine Funkhouser — Philadelphia Business Journal

Christine’s Q&A was originally published in the Philadelphia Business Journal as part of their Table of Experts: Thought Leadership Accounting Forum feature. View here

Who exactly is GTM?

Whether you’ve heard of us already or not, if your company has corporate tax, you should know who we are. GTM is a professional services firm focused exclusively on corporate tax, supporting organizations of all sizes with complex and evolving tax needs. We are also 100% employee-owned, which means our people don’t just work here; they have a real stake in the firm’s long-term success, and that directly shapes how we serve clients.

While many firms offer tax as part of a broader menu of services, GTM was intentionally built to be tax-only. Headquartered in Wayne, PA, we’ve built a national footprint and, as the U.S. member firm of WTS Global, we help clients navigate tax challenges worldwide.

Our specialty is helping corporate tax departments do more with less, whether by supplementing in-house teams or outsourcing complex functions. Simply put: we’re one of the few U.S. firms that does nothing but corporate tax, and we do it really, really well.

How Philly are you?

Very. I grew up in Northeast Philly before moving to Wyncote, and I stayed close to home for college, earning undergraduate degrees in accounting and finance from Drexel, followed by a master’s in taxation from Villanova. Last year, I returned to the classroom to complete the Chief Revenue Officer Certificate through Wharton’s Executive Education program. With so many great schools in and around Philadelphia, why go anywhere else?

Philly isn’t just where I grew up; it’s where GTM has built its story of growth and community. Founded 30 years ago, GTM recently marked the milestone with a huge celebration at Reading Terminal Market, because if you’re celebrating in Philly, why not do it where the soft pretzels are fresh, the cheesesteaks are legendary, and the atmosphere is unmistakably local. Colleagues, clients, and friends packed the room, sharing stories from three decades of success, collaboration, and hard work. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of serving many of the region’s top companies, helping them tackle complex tax challenges. I could not be prouder of our people, our clients, and the culture we’ve built together.

Aren’t all tax service providers basically the same?

Absolutely not. It’s hard to pinpoint one thing that makes GTM different, but anyone who’s worked here or partnered with us recognizes it quickly. Some might call it culture, but it runs deeper than that. There’s a shared sense of ownership and accountability in everything we do. We make decisions with a long-term mindset, and client relationships matter because our people are personally invested in the outcome. We hire exceptional talent, treat each other with respect, and bring a level of dedication to our clients that’s difficult to replicate. And yes, we’re fun, as far as tax people go. That combination is why I’ve been with GTM for twenty-four years and counting.

What are you tax nerds worried about these days?

There’s always something to worry about in tax — job security is guaranteed. New legislation consistently tops the list, and the most recent developments, including the One Big Beautiful Bill, are no exception. We help clients with all aspects of the bill, so they have no unnecessary surprises: understanding the changes, identifying potential opportunities, and implementing proper accounting and reporting.

AI is also front and center, it helps us work smarter, accelerate data analysis, improve accuracy, and free our teams to focus on the things clients truly value. Tax is a people-driven profession. Interpreting legislation and advising our clients require experience and critical thinking, skills that AI can support but never fully replace. Also, we, like much of the industry, are always thinking about talent. Finding, developing, and retaining great tax professionals remains among the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead. At GTM, we invest in the next generation through robust internship programs, mentoring, and career development, helping students gain real world experience while building a pipeline of future firm leaders.

And you’re convinced tax is a good career?

Without question! Corporate tax may not be the flashiest career path competing for attention today, but it offers stability, strong growth, and excellent income potential. At GTM, being 100% employee-owned adds another layer: our people are building careers and equity simultaneously. Great tax professionals are hard to find, and with fewer CPA candidates entering the pipeline, the talent gap is only widening. That’s why GTM invests heavily in its people and proudly supports Philadelphia’s tax community, including our long-standing involvement with the Tax Executives Institute.

Any good Philly restaurant recommendations?

As the market leader for GTM in Philly, I’ve had the opportunity to dine at many of city’s best restaurants. But when it comes down to it, the place you go most often usually wins. As a mom of two boys, ages 12 and 10, Friday or Saturday nights almost always mean pizza. If you like sweet sauce, Franzone’s Pizzeria in Conshohocken is hard to beat. Walk in, grab a booth, the game is always on, and if you see me, say hello!


About the Authors

  • Christine Funkhouser photo

    Christine Funkhouser

    Managing Director & Chief Revenue Officer

GTM Tax
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.