A Minnesota CPA You Can Actually Talk To
Brett Tester, CPA
TITLE
Principal
HOMETOWN
Duluth, MN
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
11
EDUCATION
Exceptional people surround themselves with the right people, bring enthusiasm every day, create their own reality, have laser like focus, and are patient with the process and results.
— Dr. Bob Rotella
Brett takes pride in what he does. Was achieving a 4.0 grade point average in college necessary? Was being selected as one of five Division III basketball players awarded first-team academic all-American a pre-requisite? How about doing that two years in a row? For Brett, it’s less about the accolades and more about the process, the hard work, and the growth. The accolades are the logical conclusion of unmatched discipline and grit.
The aforementioned 4.0 GPA was earned in pursuit of his Bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance at The College of St. Scholastica. Also, it was earned while completing three tax seasons as an intern at a large, multinational accounting firm. He later earned his CPA license from the state of Minnesota. Over the past decade, Brett has served small businesses and entrepreneurs in the areas of tax & accounting, spanning a number of industries including real estate, restaurants, and professional services to name a few.
In his free time, Brett can often be found out in nature either golfing or hunting (unless you’re the prey, in which case you’ll never see him). Occasionally, he finds some time to hang out with his very understanding wife. In all seriousness, he does very much enjoy spending quality time with her and travelling the world together.
Specialties
Business and Personal Advisory
Strategic Tax Planning
Closely Held Entities
High-Net Worth Individuals
Bookkeeping and Financials
Industries
Real Estate
Consulting
Medical Practices
Professional Services
Content Creators & Entertainers
First Class Small Business Advisory Service from Your Saint Paul CPA
At Dark Horse CPAs, we focus on advisory first. Having a 1-to-1 relationship with our clients is the most important element of every engagement. Whether you need tax, accounting or wealth planning, our team of CPAs and Wealth Advisors are focused on ensuring we are maximizing your Tax Strategy, minimizing your tax burden, ensuring your accounting function is operating the way it should, so that you don't get "surprised" throughout the year.
BRETT TESTER, PRINCIPAL
After gaining extensive experience at a large public accounting firm and real estate investment company, I found myself wanting to support more small and medium sized businesses and their owners. When I discovered Dark Horse CPAs, I was instantly intrigued. The accounting industry often faces challenges in adapting to change and embracing a visionary approach. I was looking for a firm that prioritized advisory services, focused on client needs, and valued its people. Joining Dark Horse CPAs has enabled me to continue serving my clients within a firm that aligns with both my values and those of my clients.
89%
Net Promoter Score
The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 89% 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.
350+
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.
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.
BRETT TESTER, PRINCIPAL
"I am passionate about providing Advisory and Strategic Tax services to individuals across diverse industries. Having a CPA partner can bring immense value to your life, and my goal is to help my clients experience that value year after year."
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.
BRETT TESTER, PRINCIPAL
"Entrepreneurs often overlook the crucial link between accounting and tax for their businesses. My goal is to educate them on the importance of these functions for business success and long-term wealth building."
Nancy R.
I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.
Get a personable & experienced CPA who will partner with you to achieve unparalleled results.
