Member
Business
J.D. West Virginia University
M.P.A. West Virginia University
B.S. Fairmont State University
Office:
Morgantown, WV
(304) 598-8160
Biography
When Melissa Watkins helps a client with a complex problem, she is cognizant of the relationship between numbers, data, and a solution. With Melissa at the table, clients can make strategic business decisions with the comfort that she will help them understand the impact on their tax status, regulatory compliance, board governance, and overall financial health. When clients are faced with pending financial instability, Melissa is the trusted adviser who will look at both the financial and legal issues in-depth to prevent further decline and chart a course toward future success.
Building on her nine year accounting career at a public university, Melissa enjoys helping higher education clients and their related entities with issues such as endowment administration, student financial aid compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.
Beyond higher education, Melissa’s clients include health care organizations, philanthropic foundations, religious organizations, as well as national, regional and local non-profit agencies.
Memberships & Awards
Professional
Recipient, West Virginia University College of Law, Lawyers & Leaders, WV Executive Magazine, August 2019The Best Lawyers in America®Best Lawyers® Morgantown, West Virginia Lawyer of the Year 2013Former Adjunct Lecturer, College of Business & Economics, West Virginia UniversityYoung Lawyer of the Year, West Virginia State Bar 2009West Virginia Society of CPAs
Key Experience
Assisted private higher education institution with purchasing the assets of another private institution and addressed related accreditation issues and student financial aid compliance concerns
Analyzed complex endowment agreements and recommended approaches to maximize the flexibility of using these endowed funds which included possibly borrowing from and against the endowed assets
Advised nonprofit hospital on tax exempt status implications with respect to an acquisition of for-profit subsidiaries of a large for-profit health care system
Know-How
Alert
Work Experience
2000 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
1998-2000 Assistant Controller, West Virginia University
1996-1998 Manager of Budget and Accounting, West Virginia Network (WVNET)
1993-1996 Senior Accountant, West Virginia University
1998-2000 Assistant Controller, West Virginia University
1996-1998 Manager of Budget and Accounting, West Virginia Network (WVNET)
1993-1996 Senior Accountant, West Virginia University
Speaking Engagements
Financial Assistance Disclosures for Hospitals, 2016"Lessons from the (Sweet) Briar Patch," Higher Education: Current Issues & Trends, 2016"Don't Get Stuck Paying Taxes on Payment to Foreign Persons," 2014"Highlights & Lowlights of the IRS's Findings in the Areas of Unrelated Business Income & Executive Compensation," 2013"Non-profit and Governmental Organization's Under Fire," 2013"Form 1099-MISC Reporting Tips," 2013"Royalties, Gifts & Marcellus Shale: How to Handle a New Generation and Type of Charitable Giving" West Virginia Grantmakers 2011"New Form 990," Division of Social Work at West Virginia University Workshop, 2008, 2009"Form 990," Wheeling Chapter of CPAs, 2008"Governance of Non-profit Organizations," Division of Social Work at West Virginia University Workshop, 2007"Principles of Accounting/Financing Statements 101 for Nonprofits and Audits," Division of Social Work at West Virginia University, 2006-2008"Taxation of Settlements and Judgments," West Virginia Bar Association, 2006"Today's Issues Concerning Nonprofits," West Virginia Public Accountants Association, 2005