Heather Thompson earns PAFM Designation!

Heather Thompson, has been awarded the Public Accounting Firm Manager (PAFM) designation by the CPA Firm Management Association’s (CPAFMA). This prominent designation recognizes Thompson’s knowledge and professional experience in public accounting practice management.

“Heather has developed into a premier firm administrator, and has been instrumental in our company’s growth and success,” said Brett Aamot, Managing Partner of CDS. “The PAFM designation evidences Heather’s advanced skill-set and expansive areas of expertise, and also recognizes her leadership abilities.”

Heather Thompson joined CDS in 2004. She graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN with a Political Science degree and minors in Economics and French. Heather was promoted to Firm Administrator in 2008 and admitted as Partner in 2018. Her main focus includes strategic planning, employee relations, staff recruitment and retention, special projects, Partner and staff development, and HR consulting for clients.

Heather is on the Board of Directors and serves as Secretary for the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Heather was also Co-Captain for Willmar’s Destination Playground PR committee. She and her husband, Jamie, were past Co-Chairs of United Way’s Pillar Program. Heather was appointed to the Ridgewater College’s General Advisory Council in 2011 and serves on the Ridgewater College Administrative Support Advisory Board. She is a 2007 graduate from the Blandin Leadership Program and 2017 graduate of the Vision 2040 Leadership Program. Heather received the 2013 West Central Tribune’s Five Under 40 Award, the 2005 BPW Young Careerist Award, the 2005 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar EDC, and the 2017 Exemplary Leadership Award from the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. She also volunteers for local school systems, her church, and Lutheran Social Services.