Meet our newest hires and team members with new designations!
Nate Gwost | Certified Valuation Analyst and Manager
Nate Gwost, CPA successfully completed the certification process with the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) to earn the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential. The CVA credential is granted only to qualified individuals with considerable professional experience in the field of business valuation.
Nate joined CDS in 2017 as a Staff Accountant. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 2019, Nate was promoted to Senior Accountant and in 2023, was promoted to Manager. His focus areas are for profit and non-profit auditing, business advisory services, business valuations, and the petroleum industry.
Mitch Hjelle | AICPA Not-for-Profit Certificate and Manager
Mitch Hjelle, CPA earned his Not-for-Profit Certificate through the American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA). The certificate program covered not-for-profit financial management, including accounting and financial reporting, tax compliance, governance, and assurance.
Mitch joined CDS in 2008 as a Staff Accountant. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 2015, Mitch was promoted to Senior Accountant and in 2023, was promoted to Manager. His focus areas are tax planning and preparation, non-profit auditing and consulting, reviews and compilations, and the agribusiness and construction industries.
Lee Bowen | Certified Payroll Professional
Lee Bowen has earned her Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification. The CPP designation, awarded by PayrollOrg, signifies Lee has achieved a significant level of proficiency and detailed knowledge of payroll taxation, tax reporting, legislative and regulatory requirements, MIS, human resources, benefits and accounting as they relate to the payroll environment.
Lee Bowen joined CDS in 2022 as a Payroll Specialist. Prior to CDS, she worked in accounting for over four years and client service for fifteen years. Lee graduated from Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN with her Associates of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her focus areas are QuickBooks® and assisting clients with the preparation of their payrolls, tax deposits, quarterly and year-end payroll reports, and W-2 forms.
Lexi Ostrue-Lanigan | Bookkeeper
Lexi Ostrue-Lanigan joined CDS as a Bookkeeper in our Litchfield office. Lexi graduated from Rasmussen College in St. Cloud, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and is working towards her Master’s degree in Business Administration. Her focus area is bookkeeping.
Kaitie Winningham-Floden | Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Kaitie Winningham-Floden joined CDS as an Administrative Assistant/Receptionist in our Morris office. Prior to CDS, she worked in client service for over six years. Kaitie is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity through the University of Phoenix online.
Stephanie Vogel | Payroll Specialist
Stephanie Vogel joined CDS as a Payroll Specialist in our Willmar office. Prior to CDS, she worked in administrative, human resources, and payroll services for over twelve years. Stephanie graduated from Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN with an Administrative Assistant AAS degree. Her focus areas are assisting clients with the preparation of their payrolls, tax deposits, quarterly and year-end payroll reports, and W-2 forms.
Rachael Felchle | Bookkeeper
Rachael Felchle joined CDS as a Bookkeeper in our Sartell office. Prior to CDS, she worked in accounting for over ten years. Rachael graduated from St. Cloud Technical and Community College in St. Cloud, MN with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting. Her focus area is bookkeeping.
Jessica Scoblic | Staff Accountant
Jessica Scoblic joined CDS as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. Prior to CDS, she worked in bookkeeping and financial management for over ten years. She graduated from the University of Phoenix online with an Associates of Arts degree in Accounting. Jessica’s focus areas are for profit and non-profit auditing and outsourced accounting.
Jerlyn Balfany | Governmental Accountant
Jerlyn Balfany joined CDS as a Governmental Accountant in our Willmar office. Prior to CDS, she worked in accounting, auditing, and finance for twelve years, including operating as a Finance Director for a charter school for five years. Jerlyn graduated from Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. Her focus area is governmental auditing.
