Dark Horse CPAs
Education
University of South Carolina 
Credentials
First Class Tax & Accounting Advisory from Your Austin CPA
Austin’s economy doesn't follow the rules and neither should your accounting. Success in the high-stakes tech scene of Silicon Hills or the fast-moving real estate and healthcare sectors of Travis County brings a level of complexity that traditional, reactive firms are not built to handle. Dark Horse CPAs is the antidote to the status quo. We provide the proactive tax strategy, fractional CFO advisory, and compliance expertise required to dominate in Central Texas. Whether you are scaling a startup or managing private wealth, we focus on minimizing federal liabilities and optimizing Texas Franchise Tax obligations. We provide the strategic foresight you need to win.
Reed Covar, CPA, Principal
At Dark Horse CPAs, we combine collaboration and individual autonomy to create an ideal environment for delivering personalized, high-quality tax and accounting advisory services. My goal is to ensure that each client receives maximum value from their relationship with their CPA. When you work with me, you'll not only enjoy a direct, one-on-one connection but also tap into the collective knowledge and resources of the entire team, allowing us to provide tailored solutions that best serve your financial needs. I serve clients in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and the surrounding areas, providing top-tier accounting services to businesses and individuals alike.
The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 80% of our clients would recommend us to a friend
Companies use this metric to gauge how happy their customers are with their services. It's calculated by taking the percentage of "promoters" minus the % of "detractors. "The average NPS score for the accounting industry is 39%, less than the DMV! We believe it's important to share that we have successfully fulfilled our promise to WOW clients and consistently monitor this metric to ensure we continue to deliver on the highest level.
Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.
When someone shares their experience with us online, we find it extremely valuable to know where we've exceeded expectations and where we can improve. Many of our clients decide to engage with us as a result of reading about other Dark Horse clients’ experiences. Even when things do not go as planned, we do everything we can to make it right.
We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.
This is the frequency of repeat business from our clients that work with us. This means that 9 out of 10 clients use us for subsequent years. That shows us that people enjoy working with our CPAs, are pleased with the work, and want to continue with Dark Horse over the long term.
The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 80% of our clients would recommend us to a friend
Companies use this metric to gauge how happy their customers are with their services. It's calculated by taking the percentage of "promoters" minus the % of "detractors. "The average NPS score for the accounting industry is 39%, less than the DMV! We believe it's important to share that we have successfully fulfilled our promise to WOW clients and consistently monitor this metric to ensure we continue to deliver on the highest level.
Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.
When someone shares their experience with us online, we find it extremely valuable to know where we've exceeded expectations and where we can improve. Many of our clients decide to engage with us as a result of reading about other Dark Horse clients’ experiences. Even when things do not go as planned, we do everything we can to make it right.
We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.
This is the frequency of repeat business from our clients that work with us. This means that 9 out of 10 clients use us for subsequent years. That shows us that people enjoy working with our CPAs, are pleased with the work, and want to continue with Dark Horse over the long term.
Tax Strategy & Compliance for Austin Locals
The Problem: Many Austin taxpayers treat taxes as a once-a-year headache rather than a year-round strategy. This reactive approach often leads to tax leakage and preventable liabilities. Even without a state income tax in Texas, the combination of federal compliance, complex real estate holdings, and diverse investment portfolios creates a high-stakes environment where traditional accounting falls short.
The Solution: Dark Horse CPAs is the antidote to reactive tax prep. Our No Surprises philosophy ensures we work year-round with Austin individuals and families to minimize federal tax liability and optimize wealth preservation. Whether you are managing real estate in Travis County or scaling investments in Silicon Hills, we provide the forward-looking strategy needed to stay ahead. From retirement planning to multi-state filings, every engagement is designed to protect your bottom line.
Reed Covar, CPA, Principal
Many CPAs overlook regular client check-ins, but proactive reviews are key to uncovering opportunities and optimizing tax planning. At minimum, every engagement should include an annual review. This ensures you maximize your CPA relationship, achieve tax savings, and gain clarity for the future.
Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for Austin Businesses
The Problem: Too many Austin entrepreneurs are flying blind without the strategic financial data or proactive tax strategy required to stay competitive. Texas might lack a state income tax, but businesses still face complex federal compliance, the Texas Franchise Tax, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Without a partner who understands the high-growth landscape in Silicon Hills, it is easy to miss tax-saving opportunities or expose your company to unnecessary risk.
The Solution: Dark Horse CPAs is the antidote to traditional, compliance-only accounting. We integrate bookkeeping and tax planning with a proactive approach designed specifically for Austin businesses. From managing federal obligations and franchise tax filings to providing Fractional CFO advisory and cash flow forecasting, we give you the insight needed to make tax-smart decisions. Our Advisory-First model ensures you have a partner invested in your long-term dominance in the Travis County marketplace.
Reed Covar, CPA, Principal
Many businesses view accounting and tax as separate, but every financial move impacts your tax return. Integrating business accounting and tax advisory uncovers savings, improves accuracy, and drives smarter decisions. This unified approach streamlines workflows and strengthens overall financial health.
I’m very satisfied with the service provided by Mark Kuca. I don’t usually leave business reviews (I’m basically a review hermit), but their effort and professionalism were exceptional. If you’re a small business owner looking for honest, reliable, high-quality service, I highly recommend him.
After years of feeling underwhelmed by every tax professional I worked with, we finally found Chris Ries at Dark Horse. We did a wide search for a CPA who could handle both our business and personal needs. Chris stood out from the start. He's not just deeply knowledgeable about tax law - he's genuinely thoughtful and strategic in how he applies it to your specific situation. What truly sets Chris apart is how responsive and engaged he is throughout the entire year. Our strategy sessions allowed us to get ahead of issues long before tax season, which made the whole process significantly smoother and less stressful.
You won’t find a more reliable, honest, or trustworthy CPA to work with than Mark. I would give this company more than five stars if I could. Highly recommend him and his services.
Chris is exceptional. He is far more professional, clear in his communication, and knowledgeable than any CPA I’ve worked with. He has expertly managed both my personal and business tax needs and consistently goes above and beyond—helping me make informed, strategic decisions well in advance of future tax filings. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Earlier this year, I was presented with the opportunity to purchase a company in San Francisco and needed a highly qualified business and tax accountant to guide me through the process. After many interviews, I was introduced to Chris and the Dark Horse team—and I’m extremely glad I was. Chris has been consistently responsive, deeply knowledgeable in corporate taxes, and generous with his expertise. He’s taught me a great deal, always looks out for my best interests, and approaches his work with both professionalism and integrity. I am 1000% satisfied with his services—and on top of that, he’s genuinely a great human to work with. My experience with Dark Horse was so positive that I also hired a fractional CFO through them, Susan Snowden, who has been equally impressive. I highly recommend Chris and the Dark Horse team. If you’re looking for smart, trustworthy professionals who truly know their stuff and care about their clients, you won’t go wrong with Chris or Susan.
Provides great service. Very professional. Very responsive to questions and inquiries. Very punctual, I would highly recommend their services.
I’m very satisfied with the service provided by Mark Kuca. I don’t usually leave business reviews (I’m basically a review hermit), but their effort and professionalism were exceptional. If you’re a small business owner looking for honest, reliable, high-quality service, I highly recommend him.
After years of feeling underwhelmed by every tax professional I worked with, we finally found Chris Ries at Dark Horse. We did a wide search for a CPA who could handle both our business and personal needs. Chris stood out from the start. He's not just deeply knowledgeable about tax law - he's genuinely thoughtful and strategic in how he applies it to your specific situation. What truly sets Chris apart is how responsive and engaged he is throughout the entire year. Our strategy sessions allowed us to get ahead of issues long before tax season, which made the whole process significantly smoother and less stressful.
You won’t find a more reliable, honest, or trustworthy CPA to work with than Mark. I would give this company more than five stars if I could. Highly recommend him and his services.
Chris is exceptional. He is far more professional, clear in his communication, and knowledgeable than any CPA I’ve worked with. He has expertly managed both my personal and business tax needs and consistently goes above and beyond—helping me make informed, strategic decisions well in advance of future tax filings. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Earlier this year, I was presented with the opportunity to purchase a company in San Francisco and needed a highly qualified business and tax accountant to guide me through the process. After many interviews, I was introduced to Chris and the Dark Horse team—and I’m extremely glad I was. Chris has been consistently responsive, deeply knowledgeable in corporate taxes, and generous with his expertise. He’s taught me a great deal, always looks out for my best interests, and approaches his work with both professionalism and integrity. I am 1000% satisfied with his services—and on top of that, he’s genuinely a great human to work with. My experience with Dark Horse was so positive that I also hired a fractional CFO through them, Susan Snowden, who has been equally impressive. I highly recommend Chris and the Dark Horse team. If you’re looking for smart, trustworthy professionals who truly know their stuff and care about their clients, you won’t go wrong with Chris or Susan.
Provides great service. Very professional. Very responsive to questions and inquiries. Very punctual, I would highly recommend their services.
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