Wade began his accounting career in 2000 because of his childhood love of math. He says he is fortunate to have had “phenomenal instructors” throughout high school and college who encouraged him to pursue his passion. “Accounting is a good fit for me in that it keeps me on my toes,” he says. “I really enjoy learning new things and finding ways to improve our clients’ tax situation.” For Wade, his passion for accounting is tied closely to his passion for sports. In 2006, he joined Froehling Anderson to focus his practice on professional athletes. As a partner in the firm’s Tax Department, he leverages his all-star knowledge of tax code and laws to help clients mitigate tax issues. “It’s rewarding to be a part of their success,” he says.
Wade also devotes time to training staff on tax law changes and doing all he can to learn about his clients’ businesses. “It’s important to step into their shoes and see things from their perspective,” he says. A Minnesota sports fan through and through, Wade faithfully follows the Vikings, Timberwolves, and Twins. He also has a passion for traveling and enjoys trying new foods. His hobbies include golf, movies and working out.
Al is a tax attorney and chair of Froehling Anderson’s Tax Department. Since joining the firm in 2000, he’s used his unique skill set (he is an attorney, CPA, and holds a Master of Laws in Taxation), to help his clients navigate the odd and difficult tax issues. He jokes that you will never meet a teenager who aspires to be a tax attorney; however, it’s easy to see the role fits him well.
Al has always been interested in business. He recalls that as a young college student, he discovered “accounting is business applied to numbers.” It is no surprise that Al’s favorite part of his practice is learning about his clients’ businesses. “The devil is in the details,” he explains. “The more I know, the more I am able to apply my expertise.”
Outside of his role as a tax attorney, Al enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids. During the summer months, the family revels in all kinds of “Minnesota” activities, including water sports, boating and fishing.
When given a choice between cats and dogs, Brandon will go with dogs every time. “You could say that I’m a dog person,” he says. Like most, he appreciates their trustworthiness, loyalty and reliability—traits he happens to share. As a partner in Froehling Anderson’s Business Consulting Department and leader of the firm’s Assurance Services, Brandon strives to be someone his clients—primarily business owners—can turn to. “My clients trust me to answer certain questions,” he says. “It feels great to be able to help them out and, of course, reduce their stress.”
Brandon first discovered his flair for accounting in high school and stuck with it through college. After graduating in 2005, he worked in private industry for one year before coming to Froehling Anderson in 2006. “I love that each day brings a new challenge,” he says of his career choice. Regardless of the challenge, he’s known for getting the job done—right. In his free time, Brandon can usually be found hanging out with his wife, children, and their beloved dog, Levi. He also enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing softball, watching movies, and attending local sporting events.
A natural people-person, Gail’s face lights up at the prospect of making a new friend. Which is why it comes as no surprise that, when reflecting on her 20-plus-year accounting career, it’s the friendships—with both clients and colleagues—she values most. After starting her accounting career in the private industry, Gail switched to public accounting in 2008 and joined Froehling Anderson in 2012. As an audit partner in the firm’s Business Consulting Department, she applies her past experience as a controller for an international company to her clients’ businesses. “I know what my clients go through to prepare for an audit,” she says. “Having this understanding allows me to better answer questions and, of course, empathize with their situation.”
These days, her favorite new friends are her two young granddaughters. Raised in a family of boys and the mother of two sons, she says she’s excited to finally be able to “buy pink.” She and her husband also enjoy taking trips to their cabin in northern Minnesota, boating, fishing and reading.
Steve found his way into accounting in the late ‘80s and excelled quickly in his accounting career and soon became the leader of a local CPA firm’s tax practice. After serving in this role for 20 years, he joined Froehling Anderson in 2009. A partner within the firm’s Tax Services Department, Steve serves as a specialist on complex issues ranging from estate to partnership taxation. Known for his taxation expertise, Steve is regularly sought after to lead seminars on current and complex tax law for professional associations and private vendors throughout the country.
For Steve, helping his clients and colleagues understand complex, technical tax and business issues is what it’s all about. Which probably has a lot to do with why he was named a ‘Super CPA’ by both Minnesota Law & Politics and Twin Cities Business Monthly. He is a recipient of the 2017 AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award which honors highly rated instructors nationwide. Outside of the office, Steve keeps his performance skills sharp by continuing to play the occasional trumpet gig. He says his favorite activities are music, biking, golf, and travel.
Growing up, Dave wanted to be a teacher. Although he ultimately found his calling as an accountant, his 40 year career has centered on guiding others — clients and colleagues — to success. Dave joined Froehling Anderson in 1979 and is a senior partner in the firm’s Business Consulting Department. He relies upon his past experience, which includes serving as managing partner from 1997 to 2004, to help clients navigate strategic business opportunities. He is involved in the firm’s continuing education program and, through his involvement with Pecos River Learning Center, has conducted several seminars throughout the U.S. and Europe. For Dave, the appeal of accounting mirrors that of teaching. “Accounting gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others,” he says. Outside of the accounting realm, Dave makes a positive impact through his faith, family (wife and son) and nature photography. He is also an avid cyclist.
Kari has always loved math and puzzles from a young age, helping her dad balance his check book and doing Sudokus and puzzles in her spare time. Once she started her college accounting classes, she felt right at home. Kari is motivated and energized by passion and finds small business owners to be some of the most passionate people she has ever met. She came to Froehling Anderson in 2015 and enjoyed tax work, but really fell in love with audit and review work because, she says “I really get to know our clients and their businesses, and I get to see their excitement as they talk about their business and plans for the future.”
She was also able to apply her love of puzzles and problem solving. She says, “As well as their accomplishments, I also get to hear our client’s pain points, which are often accounting related. I am then able to apply my passion to relieve their stress. Being able to help our clients so they can focus on their business and passion is the most rewarding part of my job.” Kari spends her free time with her husband, son and daughter doing activities outside, seeing plays and concerts, trying new foods, watching movies, and traveling. She recently retired from an 18-year rugby career, but still goes and cheers on her team any chance she gets.
