Wipfli LLP admits seven Wisconsin-based associates to the partnership
Press Contact
Jennifer Hacker Olsen
952.548.3389
jolsen@wipfli.com
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (July 24, 2014) — Wipfli LLP (Wipfli), a national CPA and consulting firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently elected seven Wisconsin-based associates to the partnership. Lisa Cribben, Phillip Fader, Valerie Fedie, Suzanne Koss, Keith Koszarek, Luis Murgas and Gina Skibo were among the nine associates elected to partner across the firm, which brings the total number of Wipfli partners to 148.
With more than 23 years of experience, Cribben assists Wipfli’s clients all over the United States with their valuation, purchase and sale transaction support needs. With over 10 years of operational and 13 years of valuation experience, she is able to provide expert advice with an understanding of client needs. In addition to her client responsibilities, Cribben is actively involved in the firm’s Women’s Impact Network, an initiative in the firm that encourages the professional and personal development of Wipfli’s female professionals through training, networking, and relationship building. A certified public accountant, a certified management accountant , an accredited senior appraiser and an accredited business valuator, Cribben is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Society of Appraisers and the Institute of Management Accountants. Cribben holds a bachelor of arts degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Fader has more than 22 years of experience working with Wisconsin’s family-owned and closely held businesses to help them face ever-changing challenges in the marketplace. The services he provides include audits, reviews, compilations, tax planning and preparation, business succession planning, employee benefit plan audit services, financial accounting and analysis, and business purchase and sales consulting. An active member in the Rice Lake community, Fader is treasurer and a board member for the Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce, Rice Lake Soccer Association and the Rice Lake Hockey Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1988 and earned his master of business administration degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1990.
With more than 16 years of experience, Fedie works with a variety of clients to provide research and development (R&D) tax consulting services to maximize R&D tax credits. With her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities her clients face with new product or process improvements, Fedie has extensive experience including planning, supervising, and executing R&D tax incentive projects as well as providing federal and audit support services. Prior to joining Wipfli, Fedie was a manager in the National Research & Development Tax Services Group at a Big Four accounting firm and based in Minneapolis. She is a frequent presenter, most recently providing comments to the IRS regarding the guidance issued surrounding qualified activities for the pharmaceutical industry and the new proposed regulations issued on IRC §174 in September. Fedie holds a bachelor of arts degree in finance and accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Also elected to partner, Koss has more than 17 years of experience in the manufacturing and distribution industry. In her position, Koss works primarily with manufacturers and distributors focusing on ERP software sales and implementations. To leverage the firm’s strong expertise and focus on the manufacturing and distribution industry, in 2007 Koss founded the firm’s Manufacturing & Distribution Live Web Series, a monthly webinar series that addresses challenges faced by the manufacturing industry. She also regularly shares her insights and expertise with the industry in the firm’s Manufacturing Tomorrow blog. Koss is APICS certified (American Production & Inventory Control Society). She holds a bachelor of arts degree in business management and information technology from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Koszarek has more than 20 years of experience serving a wide range of clients drawing from his extensive expertise that includes assisting clients with their annual accounting needs. He is the leader of Wipfli’s payroll services group and also provides a range of business advisory services to clients including temporary controllership and chief financial officer services. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American and Wisconsin Institutes of Certified Public Accountants, and is frequent speaker for professional and business organizations, including SCORE, Wausau Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneurial Boot Camp and the Wisconsin Bar Association. Koszarek earned a bachelor of science degree in managerial accounting from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
With almost two decades of experience in software solutions and information technology (IT), Murgas is the U.S. leader of SpiderLogic, a division of Wipfli specializing in customized software solutions. Prior to joining Wipfli in 2007, Murgas was a director of software management consultants at a technology company, and a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM Global Services. A certified project management professional and certified scrum master, he is an active member of Project Management Institute (PMI) and Agile Alliance, regularly speaks at conferences on leadership and agile transformation, and shares his insights and expertise with the manufacturing industry in the firm’s Manufacturing Tomorrow blog. Murgas holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Also elected to partner, Skibo has over 16 years of experience as a certified public accountant serving middle-market companies in the public and private sectors. She assists clients with financial accounting and reporting matters, and related business considerations to help them achieve their goals. Skibo is also a firmwide leader in Wipfli’s employee benefit plan audit group, providing insight on technical issues and managing key aspects of the Milwaukee office’s employee benefit plan practice. A certified public accountant, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
About Wipfli LLP
With more than 1,200 associates, 23 offices in the United States, and two offices in India, Wipfli LLP (Wipfli) ranks among the top 25 accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. For over 84 years, Wipfli has provided private and publicly held companies with industry-focused assurance, accounting, tax and consulting services to help clients overcome their business challenges today and plan for tomorrow. The firm’s clients include health care organizations, manufacturing companies, financial institutions, construction companies, real estate companies, insurance companies, nonprofit organizations, units of government, dealerships, and individuals. Through the firm’s membership in PKF North America, Wipfli can draw upon the resources of approximately 300 firms in 125 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.wipfli.com.
