Principal Profiles:
Scott Van Buren, CPA
Scott has been with Westberg Eischens, PLLP since 1991 and has a wide variety of experience. Van Buren graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa in 1987. Since joining Westberg Eischens in 1991, Scott has had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients. During his tenure with Westberg Eischens, he has consulted with numerous clients on a variety of management issues, including strategic planning, development of management teams, acquisition of businesses, sales of businesses, review of financing arrangements and employee stock ownership plans. Scott works with clients in the planning and preparation of tax returns for individuals and closely held business. He also is experienced with ag-related businesses in the areas of payroll, accounting, tax, and ag-business consulting. In addition to the management consulting and tax services, Van Buren has also worked with numerous governments, private industries and qualified plans in areas of financial reporting and accounting. Scott currently serves as partner in charge of city audits, HUD audits, 401(K) plan audits, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Scott is a member of the AICPA and the MN Society of CPA's. He and his wife Deb have two daughters, Melissa and Jenna and one grandson. He is a member of First Covenant Church, Willmar Sertoma Club and West Central Bass Masters. Scott enjoys spending his free time on the lake with his family and Bass fishing.
Michael Gramm, CPA, CFP
mgramm@wecpas.net
Michael has been with Westberg Eischens, PLLP since 2003. He has worked in public accounting for twelve years with other firms, including five years with a large regional firm as a Tax Manager and a member of their Wealth Transfer Committee. He spent five years as the CFO for a group of family owned businesses in Sioux Falls, SD and Boise, ID. Mike is a member of the MN Society of CPA's, AICPA, Willmar Lakes Area Rotary Club, and a board member of Kandiyohi County Area YMCA. He is member of the Estate and Personal Financial Planning Conference Task Force and a participant in the MN Society of CPA's Leadership Minnesota Program. Mike's emphasis is in income and estate tax planning, auditing of senior housing cooperatives, business transition planning and financial planning. Mike and his wife Keri along with their daughter Eden reside in Willmar. He enjoys golfing, fishing and playing the guitar in his spare time.
Michael Klaers, CPA, JD
Michael has been with Westberg Eischens, PLLP since November 2006 and joins the firm with a great deal of experience. Klaers received his Psychology degree from the University of Minnesota and later graduated from William Mitchell College of Law. He is a member of the MN Society of CPA's and the MN State Bar Association. Before coming to Westberg Eischens, Klaers had a vast array of work experience including staff accountant with a St. Paul CPA firm from 1989-1991, an attorney with Anderson Burgett from 1991-1993, a CPA with Christianson and Associates from 1991-1996, and from 1996-2006 a Sole Practitioner for tax and legal services. Mike has been performing income tax preparation since 1982. Klaers focuses his emphasis on individual and business tax preparation, estate planning and corporate/business management issues. Mike and his wife Sherri have two sons, Jackson and Nathan. In his free time, Mike enjoys golfing and bicycling.
Staff Profiles:
Paul Westberg, CPA, CSEP
Paul is one of the original partners of Westberg Eischens, PLLP and has been with the firm since the beginning. Mr. Westberg received his education at St. Cloud State University, St. Johns University, and Minnesota School of Business. Before partnering with Westberg Eischens, Paul was part of the accounting department at the Red Owl Stores. Paul is a member of the AICPA and the MN Society of CPA's. He is also and Certified Specialist in Estate Planning. He concentrates in estate planning and tax accounting. He and his wife Carol live in rural Spicer with their dog.
Daniel Ridler, CPA
Dan, along with Paul Westberg, started the firm 45 years ago. He is semi-retired, but still works many hours during tax season. Before starting the company, Dan was the Office Manager at a car dealership. These days Ridler spends most of his free time golfing. Dan and his wife Susan live in Willmar.
Thomas Eischens, CPA
Thomas is one of the original partners of Westberg Eischens, PLLP. He has been with the firm since 1986. Thomas received his education at Mankato State College. Before coming to Westberg Eischens, Mr. Eischens was a part of Latham & Norby, Latham & Parker and also had his own practice for a short time. Tom is a member of the AICPA and the MN Society of CPA's. Tom and his wife Darlene live in Willmar.
Laura Buckley, CPA
Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from St. Cloud State University. Laura has eighteen years of experience in public accounting and has been with Westberg Eischens, PLLP since 1999. Prior to public accounting, she spent ten years working with her husband in the nursery business, doing everything from bookkeeping to landscape design. Laura has been involved in all areas of public accounting - including taxation, auditing, payroll, small business consulting and computer consulting. She has worked extensively with and supports Peachtree, QuickBooks and other accounting software products. In her spare time, Laura likes to cook, inline skate and read. Laura and her husband, Danny Commerford, make their home in rural Spicer.
David Euerle, CPA
David has been with Westberg Eischens, PLLP since late 2007. Euerle graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2000, has been a CPA since 2002, and brings with him over seven years of accounting experience to the firm. His responsibilities include overseeing and planning of audit engagements along with staff development. He and his wife Terri live in Litchfield with their two children.
Nancy Mattson, CPA
Nancy has been with Westberg Eischens, PLLP for the past 14 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. She began her accounting experience as a bookkeeper for the Salvation Army in Willmar. Nancy is involved with auditing of pension and benefit plans, senior housing cooperatives, and for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Nancy has worked extensively with QuickBooks accounting software. She and her husband Troy live in Willmar with their three children.
Travis W. Steffensen, CPA
Travis joined the firm in January 2010. He brings with him over 5 years of accounting experience. He holds a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Minnesota State University – Moorhead. He has been a CPA since 2008, and is a member of the MN Society of CPA’s. His responsibilities include oversight of audit, compilation and review engagements, income tax preparation, and staff development. Travis resides in Spicer with his wife, Kelsey, and two children, Mason and Aubrey.
Rose Pederson
Rose is an accountant with Westberg Eischens, PLLP. She has been with the firm since November 1981. Rose performs bookkeeping and payroll processing and reporting services to Westberg Eischens clients. She has 33 years of public accounting experience. She also provides support for QuickBooks and Creative Solutions computer software. Rose and her husband Harold reside in Willmar. In her spare time, Rose enjoys playing golf and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Paul Laumer
Paul started at Westberg Eischens, PLLP as a Staff Accountant in January 2003. He received his Bachelors degree in Accounting from St. Cloud State University. Paul is continually working toward his goal of becoming a CPA. He primarily assists with auditing, compilation and review services, and income tax preparation. Paul and his wife Krista have a son, Riley, and reside in Willmar.
Amber Palmquist
Amber is the Office Manager at Westberg Eischens, PLLP. She has been with the firm since October 2006. Palmquist received her education from Ridgewater College. Amber and her husband Travis have two children, Avery and Evan and reside in New London. In her spare time, Amber enjoys going to the lake, hiking and biking with her family.
Kyle Akerson
Kyle started at Westberg Eischens, PLLP as a Staff Accountant in January of 2007. Akerson received an Associates Degree from Ridgewater Community College in Willmar and his Bachelors of Science in Accounting from St. Cloud State University. He primarily assists with auditing, compilation and review services, and income tax preparation. Kyle and his wife Cassie reside in Willmar with their two dogs. In his spare time, you can find Kyle golfing, fishing and hunting.
Cindy Ampe-Brown
Cindy started at Westberg Eischens, PLLP as a Staff Accountant in November 2007. She received her Bachelor Degree from St. Cloud State where she majored in Accounting with a minor in finance. She primarily assists with auditing, compilation and review services, payroll processing and reporting, and income tax preparation. She and her husband Nathan reside in Spicer.
Janell Williams
Janell has been employed with Westberg Eischens, PLLP since October 2004. She received her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration-Finance from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. She began with the firm as Office Manager and now a Staff Accountant. Janell is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She assists primarily in payroll processing and reporting, bookkeeping, and income tax preparation. Janell, her husband Matthew and daughter Mya, reside in Willmar.
Mandi Vlach
Mandi Vlach joined Westberg Eischens, PLLP in May 2009 as Staff Accountant. Vlach received her B.S. in Accounting in May 2009. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from
Southwest
Minnesota
State
University in Marshall, MN
. She will primarily assist with auditing, compilation and review services, payroll processing and reporting, and income tax return preparation. Mandi resides in Benson.
