PROMOTIONS
Carolyn Halverson, EA | Manager
Carolyn Halverson, EA, has been promoted to Manager. She joined CDS in 2015 as a Staff Accountant. She graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 2017, Carolyn was promoted to Senior Accountant. She is the chair of our CDS A & A committee. Carolyn specializes in tax preparation, preparation of compiled and reviewed financial statements, sales and use tax, QuickBooks®, and bookkeeping. Her dedication, integrity, and technical skills have made her a valuable part of our team. Carolyn is an excellent problem solver, always willing to take on new challenges and find innovative solutions.
Karla Hemmesch, EA | Manager
Karla Hemmesch, EA, has been promoted to Manager. She returned to CDS in 2016 as a Staff Accountant. Prior to CDS, Karla worked in accounting for over four years. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead, in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a minor in Finance. In 2018, Karla was promoted to Senior Accountant. She has built strong relationships with her clients, providing guidance and support in tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks, and business consulting.
Kaitlyn Lecher, CPA | Manager
Kaitlyn Lecher, CPA, has been promoted to Manager. She joined CDS in 2020 as a Senior Accountant. Prior to CDS, Kaitlyn worked in accounting and auditing for seven years. She graduated from the University of MN – Crookston in Crookston, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, with minors in Business Management and Marketing. Kaitlyn has been a trusted advisor for her clients—delivering accurate tax solutions, bookkeeping, and outsourced accounting. Her commitment ensures our clients feel confident navigating the tax season and beyond.
Mitch Gwost, CPA | Manager
Mitch Gwost, CPA, has been promoted to Manager. He joined CDS in 2019 as a Staff Accountant, and has since become an integral member of our team. Mitch graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 2022, he was promoted to Senior Accountant. Mitch specializes in tax preparation, bookkeeping, business advisory services, and the petroleum industry. He is dedicated to delivering top-notch service to our clients.
Brady Krupa, MBA | Senior Accountant
Brady Krupa, MBA, has been promoted to Senior Accountant. He joined CDS in 2023 as a Staff Accountant, after an internship with the firm. Brady graduated from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. He specializes in tax preparation, business advisory services, accounting, and auditing. Clients appreciate his professionalism, attention to detail, and reliable service.
NEW HIRES
Emily Kampsen | Governmental Auditor
Emily Kampsen recently joined CDS as a Governmental Auditor in our Willmar office. She graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN with Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She brings internship experience in governmental auditing. She specializes in governmental auditing and accounting.
NEW DESIGNATIONS
Nicole Fernkes | QuickBooks ProAdvisor Online certification
Nicole Fernkes recently received her QuickBooks ProAdvisor Online certification. She joined CDS in 2022 as a bookkeeper and earned her QuickBooks ProAdvisor Desktop certification in 2023. Prior to CDS, Nicole worked in bookkeeping and customer service for over 10 years. Nicole is attending Southern New Hampshire University online, working towards her Associates degree in Accounting. She specializes in bookkeeping and QuickBooks®.
Sarah Wentzel | QuickBooks ProAdvisor Online certification
Sarah Wentzel recently received her QuickBooks ProAdvisor Online certification. She joined CDS in 2023 as a Bookkeeper. Prior to CDS, she worked in bookkeeping and customer service for over six years. Sarah graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. She specializes in bookkeeping and QuickBooks®.
State Auditor Julie Blaha Visits CDS
We were honored to welcome State Auditor Julie Blaha to our Willmar office on July 8! Auditor Blaha is visiting local auditing firms across Minnesota to discuss recent legislative changes, including updates from the Audit and Reporting Group (AaRG) that impact the reporting requirements for local entities. We appreciated the opportunity to connect and stay up to date on important developments affecting our clients and communities.
