SKDO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Shareholder
In 1998, Carmen established her career with SKDO and she has served the firm loyally ever since. She currently directs and manages all aspects of audit and accounting services. She specializes in governmental and nonprofit auditing and accounting and is a resource for technical questions regarding financial statements. Internally, Carmen serves on the firm's Quality Control Team and Personnel Committee. She also oversees the issuance of financial statements within the firm.
With over two decades of experience in the accounting field, Carmen has a deep understanding of GAAP and what she can do to add value for her audit clients. Her main goal, when it comes to client service, is to treat others as she would like to be treated and always follow through on commitments.
Outside of the office, Carmen devotes a lot of time to her family-she enjoys attending her kids' various activities. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and listening to podcasts that challenge and inspire her, both personally and professionally.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Human Resources
In 2016, Erin joined the SKDO team, bringing with her more than two decades of valuable experience. As a human resource professional, she is responsible for recruitment, performance management, coaching, and staff development. Her major focus is on increasing employee satisfaction, creating a positive work culture, and managing organizational change.
Erin's colleagues appreciate her because she is a good listener, a positive teammate, and a change catalyst. Her personal philosophy of service is to always strive to be helpful and honest. Though she's been an HR professional since 1994, Erin didn't start working in the accounting sphere until she joined SKDO. Since then, she has developed a great appreciation of the profession and has significantly grown her skill set.
Originally from a small town in central Illinois, Erin currently lives on a farm in Grant Park. She loves the area for its great sense of community and convenient proximity to a wide variety of events, stores, and amazing restaurants. Erin is married to Ron and has one son, Mitch, and two stepchildren, Andy and Krysta. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, running, reading, and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Member of the Firm
Jackie joined SKDO in 2011, shortly after graduating with her master's degree. As a manager in the firm's Audit and Assurance Department, she specializes in audits of governmental and non-profit entities. She also provides review and compilation engagement services to a variety of clients.
An astute and hardworking professional, Jackie is a member of the firm's Quality Control Team, supporting the firm's commitment to quality. She credits her career success to the support of her family.
Jackie grew up in the Bourbonnais area and is married with one son. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Member of the Leadership Team
Since 2013, Jordan has been a valuable member of the SKDO team. She joined the firm shortly after graduating from college and worked hard to climb the ranks. In her capacity as a manager, she works in a variety of the firm's departments. Her responsibilities include preparation, review, and consultation for individuals and mid-size businesses, preparation of compiled and reviewed financial statements, and working as a liaison between the IT Department and the rest of the staff.
A hardworking and dependable professional, Jordan graduated from college with the highest honors. Her versatility makes her a great asset to her team. Outside of the office, Jordan enjoys traveling, attending outdoor concerts, spending time with family and friends, bike riding, and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Senior Manager
- Senior Tax Manager
Karen Benson is a senior tax manager at SKDO, primarily working in the tax compliance and consulting side of the firm. She enjoys working with a variety of clients but specializes in small to mid-sized business tax preparation, consulting, and financial reporting. She is passionate about helping businesses succeed in an increasingly regulatory environment, whether it's through tax planning, financial analysis, or management consulting. An analytical thinker, Karen's ability to see the big picture and come up with out of the box solutions make her a great asset to the firm. As a senior manager, Karen's other responsibilities include managing staff, administrating firm initiatives, and helping lead SKDO's Tax Department.
Originally an art major in college, Karen quickly discovered that she did not have the starving artist mentality and her real interests lie in more practical fields. She felt like accounting was the base knowledge needed to fully succeed in the business world and therefore ended up switching her major. Karen attributes her career success to her innovative thought processes, good work ethic, and forward-thinking mentality.
When she's not at SKDO, Karen most enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves traveling, hiking, listening to various podcasts, and going anywhere with live music.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Shareholder
Since 1997, Karen has been an integral member of the SKDO team. She joined the firm straight out of college and served as staff, manager, then director before stepping into her current role, shareholder and partner. Leading the firm's Tax Department, Karen performs tax work for both individuals and small businesses. She has cultivated the ability to put complex tax laws and concepts into terms that her clients can understand, allowing them to make decisions that best meet their needs.
A dedicated professional, Karen is always ready to lend a helping hand. She chose to pursue a career in accounting early on-when she was in the eighth grade! Karen believes that her success in the field stems from the solid education she received in college and the support of the SKDO partners.
Raised on a farm in Bonfield, Karen currently lives in Limestone with her husband, Kevin, their daughter, Alison, and their golden retriever, Toby. Outside of the office, she enjoys watching her daughter play softball, reading, baking, and swimming.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Shareholder
Since 1993, Keith has been an integral member of the SKDO team. He joined the firm shortly after graduating from college and has faithfully served it for more than 25 years. Keith is adept at interpreting the story being told by the financial statements and working with clients to help them understand their financials and improve their business. He provides value added services, including in some cases operating as CFO. Keith works with clients in a number of industries, including agriculture, dealership, and transportation.
The example that Keith's father set inspired Keith to pursue a career in the accounting field. In his professional life, Keith likes to draw on lessons he learned from the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. The book explores the distinguishing characteristics that cause a company to transform from good to great. Keith uses these insights to help his clients in their pursuit of business and personal financial goals.
A resident of Grant Park, Illinois, Keith lives with his wife, Heather, their daughter, and three cats. He enjoys the rural community that has easy access to the benefits of nearby Chicago. In his free time, Keith enjoys working in his yard, golfing, and playing billiards. He has even competed in a national 8-ball billiards tournament in Las Vegas!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Principal
With more than three decades of experience working in the accounting industry, Marcie is a valuable member of SKDO. Effective May 1, 2021, Marcie has began her transition to retirement and continues to work on select engagements on a part-time basis
Marcie believes that "we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." As such, she seeks to be a servant leader, working hard to help those around her. She was inspired to pursue accounting by her parents and credits her career success to the key lessons they taught her.
Job Titles:
- PFS
- PFS / President and Managing Shareholder
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Shareholder
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Member of the Leadership Team
Scott initially became familiar with SKDO when he completed internships with the firm in 2005 and 2007. He joined the SKDO team fulltime in 2008, shortly after graduating from college. He served as staff and senior accountant before stepping into his current role. As a manger in the firm's Tax Department, Scott performs both individual and business tax preparation, consulting, and tax planning.
A dedicated professional, Scott has devoted the entirety of his accounting career to serving SKDO. In his professional life, he is inspired by the example that his hardworking and loyal father set for him. Scott believes that if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. This outlook makes him a valuable asset to both his clients and teammates. An active member of the community, you can often find Scott at various events in an effort to meet other business professionals.
Scott currently lives in his hometown, Kankakee, Illinois. He is married and has three children. In his free time, Scott enjoys sports, attending baseball games, and traveling with his family.
Job Titles:
- CGMA, AEP
- CGMA, AEP / Director of Estates & Trusts