News from CDS – Midyear Firm Highlights June 2023

Our Newest CDS Partner | Stacey Seviola, CPA

Stacey Seviola, CPA has been admitted as Partner at CDS effective January 1, 2023. Stacey has been a Manager at CDS since 2016. She joined CDS in 2011. She places high priority on her clientele, becoming a trusted advisor in our St. Cloud and Sartell markets. Her exceptional service and advanced knowledge across the industry makes her invaluable to our team. Her focus areas include tax preparation and consulting for businesses and individuals, bookkeeping, estates and trusts, financial statements, and the petroleum industry.

Designations

Carolyn Halverson | Enrolled Agent

Carolyn Halverson recently earned her Enrolled Agent (EA) certification. An Enrolled Agent is a federally licensed tax practitioner who has proven technical expertise in the field of taxation. Only EAs, attorneys, and certified public accountants (CPAs) may represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits, collections, and appeals.

Carolyn joined CDS in 2015. 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. Carolyn is the chair of our CDS A & A committee. Her focus areas are tax preparation, preparation of compiled and reviewed financial statements, sales and use tax, QuickBooks®, and bookkeeping.

Promotions

Nicholle Peterson | Benefit Plan Manager

Nicholle Peterson was recently promoted to Benefit Plan Manager. Nicholle Peterson joined CDS in 2018. Prior to CDS, she worked in client service and as an office manager for over twenty years. Nicholle graduated from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 2021, Nicholle was promoted to Senior Third Party Administrator. Her focus areas are the administration of Retirement Plans, Flex Plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), COBRA, QSEHRAs, CDS HR On-Demand, and ACA Reporting.


David Meyer | Senior Governmental Accountant

David Meyer was recently promoted to Senior Governmental Accountant. He joined CDS in 2019. David graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance, with a concentration in Financial Planning. His focus area is governmental and non-profit auditing.

 


Kailee Tintes | Senior Governmental Accountant

Kailee Tintes was recently promoted to Senior Governmental Accountant. She joined CDS in 2019. Prior to CDS, she worked in client service for over six years. Kailee graduated from St Cloud State University in St Cloud, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Her focus areas are governmental auditing and accounting.

 

New Hires

Cathy Hedlof | Payroll Assistant

Cathy Hedlof recently joined CDS as a Payroll Assistant. She brings over 40 years of management and accounting experience to CDS. Cathy received her Associates of Arts degree in Accounting from Willmar Area Vocational Technical Institute in Willmar, MN. Her focus areas are assisting with administrative tasks, in addition to assisting clients with the preparation of their payrolls, tax deposits, quarterly and year-end payroll reports, and W-2 forms.


Madison Rucks | Payroll Specialist

Madison Rucks recently joined CDS as a Payroll Specialist. She brings over 4 years of payroll experience to CDS. Her focus areas are assisting clients with the preparation of their payrolls, tax deposits, quarterly and year-end payroll reports, and W-2 forms.

 

 


Trista Novy | Governmental Accountant

Trista Novy recently joined CDS as a Staff Accountant. She brings over 5 years of banking and finance experience and 10 years of client service experience to CDS. Trista is attending University of Illinois-Springfield online for her Master of Business Administration. She graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and she received her Associates of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, MN. Her focus area is Governmental Auditing.


Thea Dickerson | Payroll Specialist

Thea Dickerson recently joined CDS as a Payroll Specialist. She brings over 10 years of administrative, payroll, and bookkeeping experience to CDS. Thea attended Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN. Her focus areas are assisting clients with the preparation of their payrolls, tax deposits, quarterly and year-end payroll reports, and W-2 forms.

 


Cole Ochsendorf | Governmental Accountant

Cole Ochsendorf recently joined CDS in 2023 as a Governmental Accountant. Cole was a summer intern in 2020 and a seasonal Governmental Accountant in 2022. He brings over one year of accounting and auditing experience. Cole graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting with a minor in Economics. His focus area is governmental auditing.


Meranda Wacek, CPA | Manager

Meranda Wacek, CPA recently joined CDS as a Manager. She brings to CDS over 20 years of accounting and auditing experience, including operating as Chief Financial Officer for a non-profit organization for 7 years. Meranda graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. Her focus areas are business advisory services, client consulting, and non-profit auditing.

 


Sarah Wentzel | Bookkeeper

Sarah Wentzel recently joined CDS as a Bookkeeper. Prior to CDS, she worked in bookkeeping and customer service for over 6 years. Sarah graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Her focus area is bookkeeping.

 

Meet our Summer Interns!

Janessa Olson is attending the University of Duluth pursuing her Bachelor of Accounting and Master of Business Administration.

Levi Schmidt is attending Gustavus pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Public Accounting.

Aubrie Spanier is attending North Dakota State University pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Accounting.