Dave was drawn to accounting at an early age. After taking a high school accounting class, he was hooked. “I saw how it helped my family’s business develop a road map for success,” he says. “I was intrigued—and wanted to help other businesses do the same.” As the firm’s CEO and managing partner, Dave specializes in aiding closely held businesses—like his family’s—through the complexities of tax law, strategic tax planning and compliance. “For me, it’s all about helping a client get to the next level,” he says. “I enjoy making a difference.”
Dave began his accounting career in 1992 and joined Froehling Anderson in 2003. He’s grateful for the relationships he’s developed over the years, along with the helpful nature of the firm’s staff. “It’s never ‘me,’ or ‘I,’” he explains, “We are willing to work across disciplines so our clients get the best answer possible.” Outside of his role at Froehling Anderson, Dave, with his wife, Kelly, plays the role of “Super Dad” to his three kids. Between swim meets, trips to northern Minnesota, and year-round hockey, the Benusa family is always on the move. Dave also enjoys volunteering with various community organizations, cooking, traveling and biking.
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.
Accounting has intrigued Joe for as long as he can remember. As a child, he regularly overheard family members – several of whom are small business owners – speak highly of their accountants. When he found himself at the head of his college accounting class, he quickly realized it was the career for him. Drawn to the culture and proved to be a good fit, Joe joined the firm as a staff accountant in 2005. Since then, he has come to appreciate his profession even more, “Every day is a different story,” he says. “And it’s always something new and interesting.”
As a partner in the firm’s Tax Department, Joe prides himself on being, as he put it, “someone who people can lean on and trust.” Having spent his first seven years at Froehling Anderson as a “generalist”, his varied background allows him to assist clients with issues of all shapes and sizes. Outside of the office, Joe enjoys being there for his family for trips to the baseball field, beach and zoo. In the fall, he spends his Sundays watching football and rooting for his Fantasy Football team.
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.
When Jodi began her career in the legal industry nearly 30 years ago, she found herself gravitating toward tax law. “I have always enjoyed numbers, so to combine that with tax law is right up my alley!” she explains. After making the switch to public accounting by joining Froehling Anderson in 2006, Jodi quickly found her niche. As a Senior Manager, she uses her legal expertise and caring personality to guide clients through the complicated world of tax controversy. In 2010, she became an Enrolled Agent (EA), an elite status awarded by the IRS that qualifies her to represent taxpayers. She also focuses her practice on preparing taxes for professional athletes and high-net-worth individuals and helping manage their financial lives. She is also Lean Six Sigma certified.
In addition to serving clients, Jodi fulfills a key role in Froehling Anderson’s operations: managing staff and work flow processes, with the emphasis on client service. “We have a young staff,” she says, “so it’s exciting to be a part of their growth and development.” When Jodi’s not helping clients de-stress, she’s planning her next relaxing getaway. Her favorite way to wind down? Vacationing in Puerto Rico and at the cabin with her husband. They also enjoy spending time with their two grown sons, grandchildren and the family dog, Cooper, whom she refers to as “a very privileged springer spaniel.”
Kyle has had an exciting experience in the accounting industry. He was first introduced to accounting through an Introduction to Accounting class in college, and he enjoyed the many opportunities there were in this profession. “There will always be a need for tax accountants as long as there are taxes” states Kyle. He brings a wealth of skills to his career in this industry; problem-solving, research, writing, communication, learning, and team-building skills.
He is passionate about what he does because there is never a dull moment. He gets to help clients optimize their tax strategies as the tax laws are frequently changing. This allows him to solve new problems daily, all the while doing it alongside great people. When he’s recharging away from the office, Kyle likes to spend time outdoors hiking and biking. He enjoys exploring new places such as state and national parks, as well as different cities and states.
