A St. George CPA You Can Actually Talk To

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

Masters in Accounting

Xero Advisor Certified

QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Iron Man

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Sean Winkel, CPA

435-447-4425

sean@darkhorse.cpa

TITLE

Principal

HOMETOWN

St. George, UT

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

9

EDUCATION

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

— Thomas A. Edison

It's been said that tax season is a sprint. But as tax seasons pile up, those sprints start to resemble more of a marathon. Fortunately for Sean, he actually enjoys marathons (and triathlons), so the marathon represented by tax season is just another day at the office for him. And anyone who runs marathons understands the long-term perspective of what it takes to prepare, endure and succeed. Sean has translated this wisdom to the accounting and tax advisory he provides to his small business clients.

And he started working with small businesses back in college at Dixie State University, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting. During his studies, he became a consultant to small businesses, helping them create business plans and obtain capital. That seed led him to a local accounting firm where he continued his work with small businesses, helping keep them compliant, saving them money on their taxes, and providing deep insights into the financial performance of their business.

While not serving small businesses and their owners, Sean can be found outside and on the road with his wife (expecting) and their two dogs. Notable outdoor endeavors include hiking, kayaking, fishing, snowboarding, camping or, as mentioned above, the semi-regular marathon or triathlon.

Specialties

Small Business Tax Strategy

Strategic Tax Planning

Entity Structure Analysis

Retirement Planning

Industries

eCommerce

Retail

Restaurants

Professional Services

Your St. George CPA for Tax and Accounting Advisory

St. George’s fast-growing economy—driven by real estate, healthcare, tourism, and small business development—requires financial expertise that goes beyond basic compliance. Whether you’re managing a business, investing in property, or planning for your family’s future, your dedicated St. George CPA, Sean Winkel, is here to help.

As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Sean specializes in proactive tax planning and accounting advisory for individuals and businesses across Southern Utah. From minimizing tax liability and ensuring IRS compliance to strengthening financial reporting and building long-term strategies, he delivers modern, hands-on solutions tailored to your goals.

With Sean, you gain more than a CPA—you gain a trusted advisor and financial partner committed to helping you achieve clarity, growth, and confidence in one of Utah’s most dynamic markets.

Talk to Your CPA

SEAN WINKEL, PRINCIPAL

By starting my career at a regional firm, I quickly learned what CPAs lacked from their employer...autonomy, collaboration, and most importantly TIME. Not just time for myself and family, but time to spend working directly with my clients. You may know from being a client of a CPA firm that accountants are always busy; too busy to give you the time of day unless their billable clock is running. That’s what’s different about Dark Horse. We encourage our clients to reach out and have a conversation. As a CPA, I need to spend time with my clients to help them in the most impactful way. At Dark Horse, I'm able to do exactly that.

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Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for St. George Businesses.

The Problem: Many St. George business owners struggle to get timely, accurate, and actionable financial data. Even worse, they’re not receiving the tax planning and strategic advisory they need to make confident decisions—costing them time, money, and opportunities for growth. Utah’s business landscape, especially in industries like real estate, construction, and professional services, demands more than compliance—it requires clarity and proactive planning.

The Solution: As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Sean Winkle, CPA provides St. George businesses with integrated tax strategy and accounting advisory that go beyond traditional bookkeeping. Sean partners directly with business owners to deliver accurate financial reporting, optimize cash flow, and implement forward-looking tax plans designed to minimize liability and support long-term growth. From federal and Utah state filings to CFO-level advisory and tax-efficient structuring, he helps businesses stay ahead while focusing on what matters most—running and growing their operations.

Solutions for Businesses

SEAN WINKEL, PRINCIPAL

“Financial performance data is one of the most important tools a business owner can have. Without it, it’s impossible to make informed decisions or grow profitably. I take pride in providing timely, accurate financial reports so my clients can understand their numbers and run their businesses efficiently.”

Tax Strategy & Compliance for St. George Locals

The Problem: Many St. George residents only think about taxes once a year—when the return is due. That reactive approach often leads to missed deductions, costly surprises, and unnecessary stress. While Utah’s flat income tax may seem straightforward, the real challenge lies in strategic year-round planning that maximizes savings and aligns with your broader financial goals.

The Solution: As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Sean Winkle, CPA provides individuals and families across St. George with proactive tax strategy and financial advisory that simplify complexity and fulfilling our promise of No Surprises come tax time. From retirement and investment planning to real estate and small business tax coordination, Sean helps clients minimize tax liability, strengthen compliance, and plan for the future with confidence.

Tax & Wealth Advisory for Individuals

SEAN WINKEL, PRINCIPAL

"Taxes are inevitable each year, but how you handle them is up to you. I'm here to help clients maximize deductions and credits by being proactive throughout the year, not just on April 15th. My focus is on tax planning, not just preparation, which is why clients continue to work with me year after year."

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.

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