Kyle Paxton’s Full-Circle Career: From Eighth-Grade Ambition to Tax Director at James Moore

When Kyle Paxton was in eighth grade, his English teacher gave the class a simple assignment: Write a letter to your future self. Years later, as a high school senior, he opened that time capsule — and found a message he hadn’t expected to take quite so literally.

“My eighth-grade self had one goal,” he says, laughing. “Study accounting.”

And that’s exactly what he did.

Today, Kyle is a Director in the Tax Department at James Moore, where he turns complex financial challenges into strategic advantages for clients. With over a decade of experience in public accounting, he brings both technical depth and real-world perspective to businesses and individuals navigating tax planning, compliance, and long-term financial strategy.

A numbers guy from the beginning (and we mean the beginning!)

Kyle laughs at a baby photo of himself holding a calculator and admits, “Not much has changed.” It’s another symbol of his nearly lifelong love of numbers.

While still in college, he started as an intern at James Moore before coming on full time after graduation. He steadily advanced through the firm by taking on challenges, building strong client relationships, and continuously expanding his knowledge. Now he’s leading client strategy and guiding the next generation of professionals.

Kyle specializes in individual and business taxation, serving clients across industries like real estate, construction, and professional services. His strengths lie in helping people make smart, future-focused decisions, from reducing multi-state tax burdens to preparing for ownership transitions.

Yet it’s not just about the math for him. “I love digging into the technical side of tax law,” he says, “but the real reward is seeing how the work impacts someone’s life, whether that’s saving them money, helping them plan a legacy or just making things less stressful.”

That people-first mindset defines his approach, and it’s one of the reasons he’s earned a reputation as a thoughtful advisor and collaborative partner.

New chapter, same core values

After years of working in North Central Florida, Kyle recently relocated with his family to Tallahassee to join James Moore’s growing local team.

“My wife, Allison, is an FSU grad, so Tallahassee already had a special place in our hearts,” he explains. “Now we get to build a life here with our daughters, Nora and Madelyn.”

Whether it’s getting to know his neighbors or exploring the city and parks with his family, Kyle is already immersing himself in the area. He brings that same sense of community to his work as he guides clients, mentors colleagues and makes time for what matters most.

Why James Moore feels like home no matter where he is

Kyle’s career path reflects his love of people. He wants to be more than just the guy who files a client’s return. He wants to be someone they turn to for ideas and guidance.

James Moore’s culture makes that possible, with its emphasis on technical excellence and human connection. And for someone like Kyle, who thrives on solving problems and building relationships, it’s the perfect fit.

“James Moore feels like home because of the firm’s collaborative culture,” he said. “Our team genuinely invests in each other’s growth. Our leadership trusts us to build deep, advisory-level relationships with clients while giving us the resources and flexibility to keep learning and growing. It’s a rare blend of support and entrepreneurial freedom that makes James Moore an incredible place to work.”

A fan of sports… and strategic thinking

Outside of the office, Kyle’s a passionate sports fan (especially when it comes to football). That gameday Saturday energy shows up in his work as well. Whether he’s analyzing tax implications or advising a client on entity structure, Kyle takes a strategic, play-by-play approach to planning.

“Tax laws change, markets shift, and businesses evolve,” he says. “What doesn’t change is the need for someone to help you see the whole field.”

Above all else, Kyle prioritizes people — be it clients, colleagues or families.

“We’re not here to check boxes. We’re here to make a difference,” he says. “That’s what drew me to accounting in the first place, and it’s what keeps me excited to come to work every day.”

His eighth-grade self would be proud.