KETEL THORSTENSON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Senior Manager
Austin is a dedicated Certified Public Accountant with experience in audit, compilations and reviews. He serves as a Senior Manager in the Audit Department in the Rapid City office. He specializes in commercial retail, hospitality/casinos, and retirement plan audits.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Manager
Brady Larsen is a Certified Public Accountant with experience in all types of tax preparation. He is a Manager in the KTLLP Tax Department. He specializes in agriculture tax and employer healthcare reporting.
Brent was elected to the partnership in 1998 and has been with the firm for over twenty years. His focus includes tax planning and preparation for corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, and individuals with an emphasis in franchising, multi entity tax structures, and business consulting.
Brian is a Manager in the Custer office. His tax expertise is in the areas of small business, farm and ranch, and rental properties. Brian is the former Vice President of Finance at Western Dakota Tech, and also served as the accounting program director and instructor. He is also a Quick Books Certified ProAdvisor.
Carmen Derby started with Ketel Thorstenson in 2019 in the accounting services department. She then transitioned to office manager in the Rapid City office. Carmen saw it as an opportunity to utilize her diverse background for the firm. Having worked in a hardware store, owned an event management firm, operated a restaurant, lodging facility and event center gives her the background to address daily operational issues.
Carrie joined Ketel Thorstenson in 2013 and is now a Manager in the Tax Department in the Rapid City office. She works with individuals and businesses from all industries including construction, medical, and other professional service businesses. She also has experience communicating with the IRS and can assist you in resolving IRS issues.
An Aberdeen, South Dakota native, Clark joined Ketel Thorstenson in 2005 after being the director of tax service for RSM McGladrey in Rapid City. Clark's analytical personality and many years of experience have led to specialties in tax return preparation and tax planning for individuals and business entities. His niche industry areas of expertise include construction, manufacturing, and retail. He is a partner in the Rapid City office.
Clay Locke joined the firm in January of 1983. Today, he serves as a Tax Manager in the Rapid City office, working in most areas of tax preparation. He specializes in tax planning and preparation for corporations, partnerships, and individuals in family business, and multi entity tax structures. He also supports IT, specializing in computer software.
Danielle started working at Todd Hoese, CPA, LLC in 2009. Todd Hoese, CPA, LLC then merged with Ketel Thorstenson, LLP in November 2018. Danielle provides tax preparation for individuals, corporations and partnerships as well as financial compilations and other accounting services for clients. She specializes in construction and hospitality.
Dave Hoyer joins Firm. Practice of Herb Kaden acquired
Originally from Belle Fourche, Denise joined Ketel Thorstenson in 1991. She specializes in tax services including estates, gifts, and trusts. In January of 2012, Denise became the managing partner (COO), the firm's primary leadership role.
Doug joined Ketel Thorstenson in 1997. With many years of experience, he has mentored and influenced many individuals and businesses that have come to him for tax planning and compliance. He serves as a partner in the Tax Department in the Rapid City and Custer offices. Doug has a background in the agriculture industry and specializes in assisting farmers and ranchers.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Partner
Greg Miner is a Certified Public Accountant joining KTLLP in 2014. He serves as a Partner in the Tax Department in the Spearfish office. His areas of specialization include business tax returns, and the retail and medical industries.
Jackie Maguire started with the firm in 2002 in the Audit Department. From 2016 to 2021 she served as the Firm Administrator assisting the Executive Committee in managing firm operations and implementing firm initiatives. In 2022 she was appointed Chief Operations Officer (COO) and serves as the Service Line Leader for the Accounting Services department.
Originally from Custer, Jani Zweber joined the firm in 1996 following the purchase of J&J Bookkeeping Inc., where she was one of the owners. Her specialties at KTLLP involve a variety of accounting software packages, bookkeeping for small to medium businesses, payroll and personal and business tax. She serves as Tax Manager in the Rapid City office.
Jean joined Ketel Thorstenson, LLP in 1994. She serves as partner in the Audit Department of the Rapid City office. Jean has an infectious, can-do attitude, plus the motivation to make the audit experience a positive one for all clients. Jean has a wealth of experience, specializing in audits of non-profits, financial institutions, tribal organizations, and closely held commercial entities. She also leads the Firm's nonprofit tax practice.
Jeanne serves as a Manager in the Accounting Services Department in the Rapid City office. She has served in public accounting for over 25 years. She has been with Ketel Thorstenson for 18 of those. Jeanne is a valued resource to the KTLLP team and her clients with all of her knowledge gained from years on the job.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Senior Manager
Jeff is a certified public accountant and serves as a senior manager in the audit department. His areas of expertise include commercial business, city government, and non-profit organizations. In addition to auditing and managing client relations, Jeff is involved in the recruiting and mentoring of staff.
Jennifer joined Ketel Thorstenson in 2006 after being a partner at a public accounting firm in Idaho. She serves as a partner in the Tax Department in the Rapid City office. She specializes in business and individual tax returns with an emphasis in the medical industry. She went through extensive research of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and is a team leader for the KTLLP ACA Team. Jennifer has a background in the agriculture industry, and has worked on various litigation support projects, including testifying in court.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Partner
Jess Weaver is an energetic Certified Public Accountant who started working for Ketel Thorstenson as an intern in 2008. He joined the firm full time in January 2010 and works in most areas of tax preparation. He is a Partner in the Spearfish office. He specializes in tax planning and preparation for corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates and individuals with an emphasis in family business, franchising, and multi entity tax structures.
Joei joined the Ketel Thorstenson in 2014. She has over eleven years of experience in manufacturing. She is a Manager in the Tax Department. Joei specializes in individual and business tax return preparation. She also mentors co-workers and new staff, and helps to provide learning opportunities.
Joel is inspired to provide a personal, quality service experience, working closely with clients and assisting them with their business and accounting needs. Joel performs management consulting, provides income tax planning for businesses and their owners, and has experience in courtroom and deposition testimonies. He specializes in various industries, including gaming, construction, land development, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and medical practices. His background includes 13 years of prior experience in public accounting with McGladrey & Pullen, CPAs; plus, 12 years of management experience in the private sector.
Kate has been with the firm since 2002. She started as an Administrative Assistant, and then became Office Manager of the Spearfish office in 2009. Kate oversees the client experience and is passionate about those we serve. Kate grew up in Belle Fourche. After graduating from high school, she joined the US Army to work as an office clerk and gain experience in office procedures and leadership.
Katie has experience in all types of tax preparation. She is a Manager in the Tax Department of the Rapid City office. She specializes in agriculture tax and non-profit organizations.
Originally from Colorado and Nebraska, Kevin has been with Ketel Thorstenson since 2006. Warm-hearted and giving, Kevin's many years of experience in tax return preparation and planning enable him to provide excellent service for individuals and businesses. He also has significant experience in software support, manufacturing, retail, construction, and the healthcare/medical industry. Kevin serves as a partner in the Tax Department in the Gillette office.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Senior Manager
Kyle is a dedicated Certified Public Accountant with experience in audit, compilations and reviews. He serves as a Senior Manager in the Audit Department in the Rapid City office. His specializations include: retail/manufacturing, nonprofits, financial institutions, construction, employee benefits, and single audits.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Manager
Mary is a dedicated Certified Public Accountant with experience in individual and business tax planning and preparation. She serves as a Manager in the Tax Department in the Rapid City office. Her specializations include affordable care act reporting, the agriculture industry, and estates and trusts.
Michelle joined the firm in 2005 after practicing in public accounting for three years in Bismarck, ND. She has experience in the Farm & Ranch and Oil & Gas industries. She specializes in small business and individual tax planning and return preparation as well estates and trusts. She serves as partner in the Tax Department in the Rapid City office.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of the Arts degree in Accounting and Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Planning, Jamestown College
Mike has been with the firm since 1973, working primarily in the tax department. His areas of expertise include review and preparation of individual, corporate, partnership, and fiduciary returns. He is also involved with tax and estate planning. Mike assists organizations with entity selection and provides ongoing support for these organizations. His emphasis is on agriculture, medical, proprietorship, and manufacturing.
Naomi was part of the merger of Campbell, Burkart & Sage with Ketel Thorstenson, LLP in November 2019. Naomi works in tax planning and preparation for businesses and individuals. She specializes in the farm & ranch industry.
Nikki joined Ketel Thorstenson in the Rapid City office in May 2015 but now works remotely from Texas. She works in the Accounting Services Department specializing in the construction industry. She is a certified QuickBooks Professional Advisor.
Nina serves as the firms CEO. Her experience in the commercial audit arena commenced in 2000. She has been practicing in manufacturing, construction, retail, and various other industries ever since. Nina also has extensive experience auditing 401(k) plans. She joined KTLLP in October of 2005 after serving previously as a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers based in the Washington, DC metro area.
Paul joined Ketel Thorstenson in 1986. He has had the pleasure to follow in his father's footsteps (Bud Thorstenson) in the leadership of the firm. He is a partner in the Rapid City office, and previously served as the CEO of KTLLP's executive partner committee. To those who know him, Paul is eager and excited to assist clients with complex tax issues and strategic business planning. Paul mentors the Business Valuation Niche and has experience providing courtroom expert testimony.
Perry is outgoing and takes a genuine interest in getting to know people better. He excels at assisting clients with preparing income taxes. His areas of expertise include dealing with the IRS, individual and small business income taxes, and the hospitality industry.
Sarah is a Senior Manager in the Accounting Services Department in the Rapid City office. She assists businesses in a variety of ways including: compilation of financials, compilation of W-2s, payroll processing, payroll tax, Form 1099 reporting, sales tax & excise taxes, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and quarterly & year end payroll services. She specializes in the hospitality and construction industries. She also assists tax work during tax season.
Sayler, Thorstenson, Jerry Benson, Roy Ketel and Rich Siekman form a new partnership called Sayler, Thorstenson & Co
Steph joined Ketel Thorstenson in 2022. She has over twelve years of experience in the government sector. She is a Manager in our Human Resources Department.
Steve joined Ketel Thorstenson in 1994 and was elected to the partnership in 1998. He was selected to serve as Chief Financial Officer in 2017 and was previously the Service Line Leader for the Audit Department. In addition to audit services, Steve provides tax return preparation and tax planning services to commercial businesses and individuals. His industry focus includes: gaming, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and construction. He also specializes in due diligence procedures related to acquisitions and divestitures, business succession planning, complex accounting issues related to holding companies/consolidations, and corporate reorganization. Steve also mentors audit department staff.
Steve Schacht named CFO. John Walker retires from KTLLP. Merger with Todd Hoese, CPA, LLC in Gillette, WY. Todd Hoese is admitted as partner
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Director
Susan is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in federal and state individual and business income taxes. She joined Ketel Thorstenson in 2008 and serves as a Tax Director in the Rapid City office.
EDUCATION
Susan is a graduate of Black Hills State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management.
Todd Hoese, CPA, LLC in Gillette, WY and Ketel Thorstenson, LLP (KTLLP) in Rapid City, SD merged effective November 1, 2018. Todd Hoese has been serving hundreds of individuals and businesses in the Gillette area since 1996. Todd has joined the KTLLP partner group, and will continue serving Gillette clients with the current staff.
Traci is an Enrolled Agent and tax accountant with over 20 years' experience, specializing in business taxes (Corporate, Partnership, LLC, Sole Proprietorship) and personal taxes. Traci joined Ketel Thorstenson, LLP in 2009, where she developed specialties in advising clients on the advantages and disadvantages of various business structures available and assisting with IRS issues, such as audits and letters. As a Tax Manager, Traci conducts detailed reviews of tax returns and oversees various office projects.
Traci joined Ketel Thorstenson, LLP in 2001. She serves as partner in the Audit Department of the Rapid City office. Traci has an astute and analytical skill-set that her clients truly appreciate. She specializes in audits for non-profit organizations, commercial businesses, rural electric cooperatives, federal grants, and governmental entities.