About TEMA
More About Who We Are and What We DoMission
History & Nonprofit Status
TEMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Spokane Valley, Washington.
This link opens our business plan from over a decade ago. While some specifics have evolved, our commitment to financial literacy education for students remains unchanged:
How students work with TEMA
Paid Work Study Positions
For students who qualify for state work study, TEMA offers paid roles in a professional office setting, helping them build resume ready experience while contributing to the mission.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities: For students who do not qualify for work study, volunteer roles provide similar exposure to financial literacy and career exploration with flexible schedules.
Students assist with administrative support, projects, and outreach, while licensed professionals handle tax preparation
Meet the TEMA Team
Corey Ross – Founder & Executive Director
Corey Ross is a financial advisor in Spokane Valley with over 20 years of experience helping more than 300 clients with investments, retirement planning, and tax aware strategies. His office oversees more than 80 million dollars in assets under management, reflecting a long-standing commitment to thoughtful, client focused advice.
Corey founded The Extra Mile Academy to give students real world financial literacy and career exploration opportunities, and he continues to mentor students while serving clients through his advisory practice. To learn more about Corey and his financial planning practice, visit corey-ross.com.
Gary Thunem, EA – Senior Tax Advisor (Retired)
Education – graduated from Kinman Business University studying business administration
Credential – enrolled agent with Internal Revenue Service since 1996.
People to People High School Student Ambassador Program – Full charge accountant for 4 years.
Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest – Controller for 16 years. Responsible for day to day accounting/payroll activities, prepare annual budget with department staff members, arrange and prepare for annual outside audit, represent Spokane board at board meetings at the Missoula and Walla Walla goodwill operations. Implemented fund accounting in 1976.
Franchisee of a Padgett Business Services office in Spokane, WA from 1992 to 2024. Purchased the franchise from previous owner and built the practice largely from scratch. Sold the business at the end of 2024.
Yasir Jazaeri, EA – Tax, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Specialist
With 8 years of public accounting experience, Yasir leads the day to day operations for tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll, ensuring clients receive organized, timely, and accurate support. He also mentors students in technical skills, professional communication, and client service as part of TEMA’s educational mission.
Tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services are offered by The Extra Mile Academy (TEMA), which operates independently and is not affiliated with Corey’s broker dealer Cetera Advisors LLC. These services are conducted as an approved outside business activity of Cetera Advisors LLC.
Giving students the skills, experience, and opportunities that will last them a lifetime.
From budgeting to investing, to buying a home and managing debt, we provide students with the practical, critical financial literacy skills we wish were offered in school.
We match students with internship opportunities that not only match their interests and aptitudes, but also give them a chance to try out careers, helping them find not only what they want to do, but for whom they want to do it for.