Who We Are
Our Firm
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Forward Accounting is a professional accounting and tax firm with offices in Centuria and Frederic Wisconsin and Stillwater Minnesota. Our firm's roots lie with Dale A Johnson, CPA and the firm he started in the 1970s. Dale had originally opened his first office in Centuria and expanded shortly thereafter to Frederic. Over the course of his career, Dale provided accounting, tax and consulting services to hundreds of clients throughout Northwestern WI.
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In 2013, Dale's son Jake joined the team. Jake had built his career to that point working in variety of roles in corporate accounting for United Health Group. Since joining Dale's practice, Jake has drawn upon his experience in the corporate world for financial reporting and bookeeping services and rapidly expanded his skill set in the tax arena. Jake also headed up the payroll area of Dale's practice.
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Over the summer of 2016, Kevin Johnson joined Dale's team. At that time, Kevin had almost 10 years of public accounting experience as well as 10 years of small business management experience. Kevin's accounting background includes experience working on business and individual tax compliance engagements, tax planning, bookkeeping and payroll services.
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In January of 2017, Jake and Kevin formed Forward Accounting and purchased Dale's accounting practices. Our name represents so much of what our firm and our business philosophy is. First and foremost, Forward represents how we intend to work with our clients. As much as our tax practice focuses on the past, so much of what we do for our clients has to do with planning and execution in the future. In that vein, we want to team with our clients in moving their businesses and individual tax situations Forward. Secondly, Forward represents moving the practice from one generation to the next. Finally, Forward is the approach we want to take in executing our engagements. Dale has always provided the highest quality products - we intend to take the practice Forward in technologies and processes that will continue to meet the quality standards set by Dale in a more efficient and expiedient manner. In our new firm, you will continue to find the same faces and welcoming atmosphere you have grown accustomed too over the past 40 years.
Jacob E Johnson
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Jake has been working out of the Centuria office for over 3 years and his career experience includes both public and corporate accounting. He holds a Bachelors of Science in accounting from Saint Johns University in Collegeville, MN. Jake's professional focus has been on business and individual tax compliance, payroll and tax planning and projections.
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Jake originally grew up outside of Luck, WI and graduated from Unity High School. He is married with 2 children who both. Jake has a passion for being outside and is an avid outdoorsman.
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Dale A Johnson
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Dale has over 40 years of public accounting experience and has worked with businesses and individuals throughout northwestern Wisconsin. Dale has a Bachelors of Science in accounting from Eau Claire, and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
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At Forward Accounting, Dale will continue to provide client service and administrative support for the foreseeable future.
When not in the office, Dale likes to spend time with his 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
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Kevin G Johnson​
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Kevin has over 8 years public accounting and 10 years small business management experience. He holds a Masters in Accountancy from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and a Bachelors of Science in accounting from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. His professional focus has been providing small businesses and individuals tax compliance and planning services. In addition, Kevin currently serves as the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce board Treasurer and also has taught accounting at Metropolitan State University's College of Management.
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Kevin is originally from Balsam Lake and is excited to return to the area for work. Outside of the office, he loves to spend time with his wife and 2 children.
Joyce Wagner
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Joyce joined Dale and company 39 years ago as a bookkeeper. As a seasoned veteran in public accounting, she has experience in almost all areas of the business including bookkeeping, business and individual income tax preparation, financial statement preparation, sales tax and payroll.
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Joyce is married with 4 children and 10 grandchildren. Her free time is spent attending her grandchildren's sporting events and spending time with her children and their families. It doesn't get any better than that!
Marlene Cummings
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Marlene is an experienced payroll professional who joined the team in early 2016. She is in charge of payroll processing and all payroll tax compliance including all federal and state filings. In addition, Marlene assists with bookkeeping and sales tax filings for many of our clients.
Mary Nelson
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Mary is our office manager and has worked with Dale and company out of the Centuria office for just over 5 years. Mary provides support for all of our professionals and assists with bookkeeping and financial statement preparation.
Mary is married with 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 adopted grandchildren. She graduated from Unity High School in Balsam Lake and has lived in Polk County for most of her life. Outside of the office, she enjoys gardening, camping, fishing, motorcycle riding, and traveling.