A Louisville CPA You Can Actually Talk To

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

All-American Bad Ass

Book a Meeting

Teddy Mizerak, CPA

502-317-2585

teddy@darkhorse.cpa

TITLE

Principal

HOMETOWN

Louisville, KY

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

15

EDUCATION

If you do the work you get rewarded, there are not shortcuts in life.

— The GOAT, Michael Jordan

Funny ranks at the bottom of the list if asked what adjectives you might associate with an accountant. Let's be honest; it's not even on the list. Teddy Mizerak, however, likes to laugh and is great at making others laugh. He's not gonna be your jester, but he'll at least make you smile.

But seriously, he's got experience ranging from the Big 4 to a large regional accounting firm to the head of a corporate tax department across industries, including everything from manufacturing to real estate to health care to farming to transportation and hospitality. Many different clients has he served, but they all get his timely responsiveness, a partner they can trust and one of those aforementioned laughs.

Teddy made his way to the University of Louisville by way of his hometown, Fort Lauderdale. Whereas some men of that age might attempt to win over a woman with displays of bravado, he displayed his evolved sensibilities by throwing down some impressive tax code knowledge in one of his tax courses, catching the attention of his soon-to-be-bride, Britney. A decade or so later, there is now a Teddy Jr. (well, actually, he's the fourth installment of the Theodore Mizerak lineage), a dog and a happily married couple.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Teddy enjoys playing with his son, long walks and hikes with the family, sweating it out on the Peloton, golfing, dining out, and watching college football and basketball.

Specialties

Multi-State Tax

Closely Held Business

Entity Structure

Strategic Tax Planning

R&D Tax Credits

Industries

Manufacturing & Distribution

Real Estate

Financial Services

Construction

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

QuickBooks Pro Advisor

Lacrosse Coach

Book a Meeting

Clark Watts, CPA

502-317-2585

clark@darkhorse.cpa

TITLE

Senior Manager

HOMETOWN

Louisville, KY

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

7

EDUCATION

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

— Martin Luther King Jr.

A quick chat with Clark Watts will reveal that he was born and raised in Louisville (pronounced, "Loo-a-vul") because, well, he'll probably tell you, and you'd likely be able to guess by the cadence and accent of his speech as he explains his love for the area and the Louisville Cardinals. You may have guessed that he went to the University of Loo-a-vul, but you'd be wrong. In fact, he went to Transylvania University, a familiar name to those in the area and an entirely unfamiliar one to those outside Kentucky's borders (i.e., the author of this bio).

It was there that he met his wife-to-be in a course on Economics. Finding that he had a high level of demand for her and that she was in rather short supply, the Law of Supply and Demand, well, demanded that he take whatever steps necessary to procure a relationship. The fact that he played lacrosse for Transylvania likely played to his advantage in his successful courtship. And their love transcended Economics into Accounting, in which they both got their degree. Their love eventually transcended Accounting as she left the profession after two years to work with nursing students at the Galen College of Nursing.

Clark moved quickly through the ranks at a mid-sized, regional CPA firm, earning his CPA license along the way. Despite this trajectory, he had a rather significant unscratched itch of being able to build his own book of business and work closely with those clients to ensure their compliance and help them with strategic planning to ensure their success. Doing this with greater control and autonomy while also benefitting from the support of an eager-to-help team of Dark Horse CPAs made the move a no-brainer.

When he's not doing accounting, Clark loves to be active, whether running, biking, hiking, swimming or his all-time favorite...wakeboarding with friends and family, which includes his three-legged beast of a dog known fondly around the Watts residence as Thor.

Specialties

Corporate Tax

Business Personal Planning

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Cryptocurrency NFTs

Real Estate Investments

Industries

Manufacturing & Distribution

Sole Proprietors

Professional Services

Content Creators/Influencers

Your Louisville CPA for Tax & Accounting Advisory

Louisville's economy thrives on healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing across the Derby City. To compete and grow in the Bluegrass Region, you need more than compliance. You need a partner delivering proactive tax strategy and high-level financial guidance. Your dedicated Louisville CPA, Teddy Mizerak, is here to help.

As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Teddy specializes in tax planning and accounting advisory for Jefferson County businesses and families. He focuses on streamlining day-to-day accounting and ensuring IRS compliance while providing strategic tax insights.

Teddy delivers the expertise of a trusted advisor and Fractional CFO-level partner without the cost of a full-time executive. With Teddy, you gain a proactive relationship that manages cash flow, strengthens your bottom line, and drives lasting success in Kentuckiana.

Talk to a Louisville CPA

TEDDY MIZERAK, PRINCIPAL

Dark Horse created something unique in the Louisville market...a 1-to-1 connection creating the most value for EVERYONE we work with. When I found Dark Horse CPAs, I was taken aback by their approach to customer service, the vast range of experience on the team, and the opportunity to grow.

Book a Meeting

Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for Louisville Businesses

The Problem: Many business owners across the Bluegrass Region make financial decisions without the timely data or strategic tax guidance needed to reduce liability. Kentucky’s flat tax, combined with complex Jefferson County occupational taxes and federal compliance, makes expert planning essential for sectors like logistics and manufacturing. Without proactive advisory, businesses in Kentuckiana often miss critical opportunities to save and grow.

At Dark Horse CPAs, we combine managed bookkeeping, tax compliance, and proactive tax strategy for Louisville entrepreneurs. We handle everything from state filings and IRS requirements to building tax-smart growth strategies and CFO-level advisory. With our Advisory-First approach, you gain a strategic partner dedicated to your financial dominance in the competitive Derby City market.

Solutions for Businesses

TEDDY MIZERAK, PRINCIPAL

“When you are involved in a client's business on a day-to-day basis, you can bring incredible value both on the tax and accounting operations. I believe this is the best (and potentially only) way to service business clients.”

Tax Strategy & Compliance for Louisville Locals

The Problem: Filing your personal tax return shouldn't be a source of costly surprises. Many residents across the Bluegrass Region face unexpected balances or realize they have left significant savings on the table. While Kentucky’s flat state income tax adds complexity, managing federal compliance for investments, retirement, and real estate creates a difficult burden for families in the Derby City.

At Dark Horse CPAs, we believe in a No Surprises philosophy. We work year-round with Louisville families to minimize liability and protect assets through forward-looking strategies. From state and federal tax compliance to estate and trust planning, every engagement includes personalized oversight with your CPA. This ensures you stay ahead instead of reacting to your tax situation at filing time.

Tax & Wealth Advisory for Individuals

TEDDY MIZERAK, PRINCIPAL

“I approach every client relationship the way I’d want a trusted advisor to treat me—reliable, forward-thinking, and able to make complex situations simple and clear.”

Nancy R.

I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.

Kyle T.

With our prior accountant we didn't feel we were receiving adequate tax guidance and felt we were always paying more than our fair share of taxes. We have been very pleased with the service we have received with Adam Ripperdan. He has taken the time to review in detail our current situation and upcoming plans. With that information he has helped us create tax strategies for our businesses, investments, and personal taxes that not only help us save on taxes but also helps us plan for the future. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs.

Joe Coombs

At Unbridled Advisory, we value partnerships that demonstrate technical expertise, proactive problem-solving, and a client-first mindset. Working with Teddy Mizerak, CPA of Dark Horse CPAs has exemplified all of these traits and more.

Teddy's deep knowledge of financial structures and tax strategies has been instrumental in driving success for our mutual clients. His ability to navigate complex scenarios with precision while offering clear and actionable insights sets him apart in the field. What truly stands out is his collaborative approach—he takes the time to understand the unique needs of each business, ensuring solutions are both effective and tailored.

Teddy's professionalism and responsiveness have made him an invaluable resource. Whether it's tackling intricate tax planning, addressing compliance challenges, or identifying opportunities for optimization, Teddy consistently delivers exceptional results.We highly recommend Teddy Mizerak to any organization seeking a CPA who goes beyond the numbers, bringing both strategic vision and exceptional execution to the table. It’s been a privilege to work alongside him, and we look forward to continued collaboration.

Patrick W.

I was referred to Max by a friend who is also a small business owner. I was definitely in need of direction when it came to my finances. After speaking with Max I was able to understand how I can be efficient in the accounting side of my business and he and his team is there to guide me every step of the way. I'm now confident I have the right team watching my books I highly recommend Max and Dark Horse CPAs.

Dave Risha

Craig Trimble at Dark Horse CPAs has been remarkable. His knowledge of the tax laws, his ability to ask questions that I never considered has saved my family and I thousands of dollars over the past three years. I used to use Turbo Tax and the first year I switched, I save over $20,000 over what my Turbo Tax amount worked out to be. That is a remarkable return for the small fee I was charged. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs. If you are using a software program to do your business and personal taxes, this year, try both and see for yourself.

Blogs and Pods

Whether you prefer the written word or the spoken word, we've got meaningful commentary that will help you focus on what's important when it comes to your financial situation and taxes.

Sign up below to be subscribed to need-to-know information and news that affects your business and your personal financial situation.