A Franklin CPA You Can Actually Talk To
Wendy Wessel, CPA
TITLE
Principal
HOMETOWN
Nashville, TN
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
18
EDUCATION
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
— Wayne Gretzky
Being raised on the family farm in rural Michigan, Wendy discovered early on that bailing hay in the summer heat, day after day, was about the worst thing she could imagine doing with her life. She planted a seed of a different kind when she worked for her aunt in high school, typing up tax returns that her aunt prepared by hand. That seed would begin to germinate when she helped a friend start a small business, handling the bookkeeping for the company.
So, she went back to school and earned her Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northwood University. After college, she took a job at a small town firm where she learned how to prepare tax returns without the assistance of software, an unfamiliar and unfathomable concept to millennials and subsequent generations. She then went on to work for a larger firm and a boutique firm both in Nashville, where she developed extensive experience in tax compliance, tax planning and advisory services for businesses and high net worth individuals. She also currently serves on the Federal Tax Committee for TSCPA.
Outside her professional endeavors, Wendy loves following her favorite sports teams. In fact, her and her husband are season ticket holders for both the Nashville Predators and Nashville SC. She also loves exploring her city, especially the myriad live music options Nashville has to offer. Wendy is pure rock-n-roll.
Specialties
High-Net Worth Individuals
Closely Held Businesses
Industries
Real Estate
Medical Practices
Legal
Your Franklin CPA for Tax & Accounting Advisory
Franklin’s thriving economy—fueled by healthcare, real estate, small business growth, and professional services—makes it one of Tennessee’s most dynamic markets. Whether you’re a business owner, professional, or family looking for proactive tax strategy and financial clarity, your dedicated Franklin CPA, Wendy Wessel, is here to help.
As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Wendy provides more than tax preparation. She delivers forward-looking tax planning, personalized accounting advisory, and modern business solutions tailored to Franklin entrepreneurs and families. From compliance and tax filings to long-term financial strategy, Wendy is a trusted partner committed to helping you achieve lasting success in Williamson County.
80%
Net Promoter Score
The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 80% of our clients would recommend us to a friend.
Net Promoter Score
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.
550+
5-Star Reviews
Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.
5-Star Reviews
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.
90%
Retention Rate
We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.
Retention Rate
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.
BRADY KELLY, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
I joined Dark Horse CPAs for a very specific reason, to apply a client-centric approach to every one of my engagements. I want to cultivate meaningful relationships and guide clients through complex situations and challenges. Taxes and Accounting can be complicated, but with the right partner by your side you can have peace of mind that it is being done right, on time, every time.
Accounting Solutions for Businesses.
The Problem: Small businesses are making uninformed decisions because they aren’t receiving timely, accurate and actionable financial data from their accountant. They’re also not receiving the strategic guidance they need in order to plan for and reduce their taxes. We hate this. This is why we combine bookkeeping and tax services for our business clients to ensure they’re making informed, tax-savvy decisions to move their business forward. We take an Advisory-First approach and need good data to bring the most value to every engagement.
BRADY KELLY, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
“Many business owners look at their Tax and Accounting function as two separate things. The reality is everything you do day-to-day in your accounting and bookkeeping has a direct impact on your tax liability. That is why I combine Bookkeeping and Tax Advisory into all my business engagements, to better educate and show how much we can do from a Tax Reduction or Tax Deferral strategies by bringing both sides into 1 seamless engagement.”
Tax Services for People.
The Problem: It’s not until you file your personal tax return that you feel the sting of your tax situation. Whether it’s an unwanted surprise in the amount owed or refunded, or the realization that you left significant tax savings on the table, the sting hurts. We believe in No Surprises, especially the bad kind. This is why we work collaboratively with our clients to ensure they plan for and reduce taxes wherever possible. We make sure every engagement requires a level of Tax Planning with your CPA, period.
BRADY KELLY, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
“I have never understood why every CPA doesn't require a bi-annual check in with their clients. So much can be discovered and implemented with a proactive approach to Tax Planning. That is why I require at a minimum, two touch points a year with every one of my engagements. It is the only way to get the most out of your relationship with your CPA and leads to incredible savings in your tax liability as well as education on what is possible in the years to come.”
Nancy R.
I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.
Blogs and Pods
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Blog
Why It's So Hard to Find a Good Accountant and Who is Taking on New Clients?
VLOG
Transforming the CPA Landscape: Darkhorse CPA’s Innovative Model for Growth and Success
Podcast
SPEED ROUND: 1031 Exchanges
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