Chris Ries, CPA

Chris’s journey through public accounting spans two vastly different worlds. He began his career at a small, local firm near his hometown in Illinois, where he worked closely with the CPA and firm owner to gain hands-on experience—not just in serving clients, but also in the day-to-day operations of running a small business. It was during this time that Chris discovered his passion for working with small businesses and their owners. After several years of learning and seeking new challenges, he relocated to Southwest Florida, joining a top 10 national public accounting firm. There, he continued to serve small businesses across a variety of industries, quickly climbing the corporate ladder. Despite a clear path to partnership, Chris made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and join Dark Horse, seeking more autonomy in both who he serves and how he serves them.

Chris views the relationship between a CPA and a small business as a true partnership, not just a transactional service. In an industry where many CPAs are overworked, exhausted, and racing towards retirement, Chris hopes to be part of a new era of accounting—one that redefines the profession both for the clients we serve and for the future talent entering the field. He prides himself on having the heart of a teacher and strives to be proactive, responsive, and knowledgeable, ensuring his clients see him as a trusted advisor.

Outside of work, Chris stays active through various recreational sports (with a current obsession for pickleball), enjoys playing video games on the computer he built himself, and has developed a passion for travel. Though he only recently started exploring the world, Chris has already visited five countries across Europe and looks forward to expanding his global adventures in the years ahead.