Chase Birky

Chase Birky is a co-founder of Dark Horse CPAs and currently serves as its President & CEO. When asked why he got into accounting, he thought for a moment and then responded, “I graduated college during the great recession and it was pretty clear that my options were either waiting tables at Chili’s or working for a Big 4. Needless to say, I chose the latter.” He eventually chose to leave the Big 4 to build a firm that specialized in serving small businesses and individuals that the big guys too often overlooked.

Dark Horse was born from Chase’s and co-founder Max Fritz’s belief that small businesses, entrepreneurs & intrapreneurs are often Dark Horses amongst their larger, more well-known competitors. They also believe that the right guidance can help propel those horses to unexpected heights. Chase added, “especially during these uncertain times, small businesses need a trusted advisor to navigate the highly fluid and often confusing business climate brought about by COVID-19. Small businesses, now more than ever, need a Dark Horse CPA.”

Chase grew up in Salem, Oregon, which he is quick to point out is not the same Salem where witch trials were conducted. He found his way to San Diego via an offer to play baseball for Point Loma Nazarene University, where he later graduated. Captivated by the beautiful scenery and endless sunshine, he decided to make America’s Finest City his home. He now lives in Cardiff by the Sea with his wife, Shanna, and their dog (also Dark Horse’s Director of HR), India.

While not accounting, Chase enjoys pairing a delicious Belgian beer with an Oregon Ducks or Seattle Seahawks victory. On non-gamedays, you can find him cruising the coastline in a 1978 International Scout II, dining at the foodiest of restaurants, or exercising to burn off the calories from said consumption.