A Knoxville CPA You Can Actually Talk To

Dark Horse CPAs

Joe Detrow, CPA

Principal Based in Knoxville, Tennessee

joe.detrow@darkhorse.cpa LinkedIn

Education

Youngstown State University BS Business Administration - Accounting, 2008

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15+Years of Experience

7Specialties

4Industries Served

1Certifications

Credentials

Professional Certifications

Certified Public AccountantCertification

Your Knoxville CPA for Tax & Accounting Advisory

Knoxville’s economy is fueled by a diverse mix of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and small business innovation. Whether you’re a local entrepreneur, professional, or family looking for proactive tax strategy and financial clarity, your dedicated Knoxville CPA, Joe Detrow, is here to help.

As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Joe goes beyond standard tax preparation. He provides forward-looking tax planning, personalized accounting advisory, and modern business solutions tailored to Knoxville’s growing community. From managing compliance to delivering strategic insight, Joe is a trusted financial partner committed to helping you achieve long-term success in East Tennessee.

Talk to your Knoxville CPA

Joe Detrow, CPA, Principal

Dark Horse provides me the unique opportunity to take my experience and build a strong relationship with each of my clients. Giving both of us the time and attention needed to create life-long Tax & Accounting strategies that can positively impact them and their businesses.

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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.

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

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

90%

Retention Rate

We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.

Retention Rate

Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for Knoxville Businesses

The Problem: Too many Knoxville business owners lack timely financial data—or the strategic tax guidance needed to grow. Even though Tennessee doesn’t levy an income tax on individuals, businesses must still manage state franchise & excise taxes, sales tax, payroll obligations, and federal compliance. Missing quarterly estimated payments or failing to plan ahead can lead to costly penalties and stalled growth.

The Solution: At Dark Horse CPAs, we combine bookkeeping, tax compliance, and CFO-level advisory for Knoxville businesses. From staying on top of franchise & excise taxes, sales tax, and quarterly estimates to delivering cash flow forecasting, financial reporting, and strategic planning, we give you the clarity to make tax-smart, growth-focused decisions. With our Advisory-First approach, you gain a proactive CPA partner dedicated to your success in East Tennessee.

Solution for Business

Joe Detrow, CPA, Principal

Numbers should tell a story, not just fill a spreadsheet. I partner with business owners to turn financial data into actionable strategies—helping them manage cash flow, plan for growth, and make confident decisions about the future.

Tax Strategy & Compliance for Knoxville Locals

The Problem: Many Knoxville residents only think about taxes at filing time—leading to surprises, missed deductions, or overlooked opportunities to save. While Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, individuals must still manage federal obligations, retirement planning, and tax on interest and dividends (the Hall Tax repeal no longer applies but investments still bring complexity).

The Solution: At Dark Horse CPAs, we believe in No Surprises. We work year-round with Knoxville individuals and families to implement tax-saving and deferral strategies, optimize retirement and investment planning, and ensure compliance with federal rules. Every engagement includes proactive tax planning designed to help you keep more of what you earn and move forward with confidence.

Tax & Wealth Advisory for Individuals

Joe Detrow, CPA, Principal

I believe tax planning should be proactive, not reactive. My goal is to work with clients year-round to uncover opportunities, reduce liabilities, and create strategies that keep them compliant while maximizing their wealth.

Pingying Z.

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.

Jude T.

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.

Stephen K.

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.

David H.

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.

Saj.

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.

John T.

Provides great service. Very professional. Very responsive to questions and inquiries. Very punctual, I would highly recommend their services.

Pingying Z.

Jude T.

Stephen K.

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.