Summerfest Business Alliance Member Spotlight
1.) Tell Us Your Story!
Hawkins Ash CPAs, founded in 1956, has evolved from humble beginnings into a Top 200 accounting firm with a clear mission: to deliver exceptional financial guidance that helps clients thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape. What began as a small local practice has expanded to include seven Wisconsin offices, three Minnesota locations, and a diverse team of 190+ professionals committed to providing thoughtful audit, accounting, tax, and consulting services. We're best known for striking the perfect balance between big-firm expertise and small-firm personal attention—giving clients sophisticated financial solutions while maintaining genuine relationships built on trust and understanding. What many don't know about us is that despite our growth through strategic mergers and expanding client relationships, we maintain remarkably consistent service teams, with many of our professionals building decade-long partnerships with clients across industries. This stability allows us to function not merely as vendors, but as integrated partners who truly understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing each business, nonprofit, government entity, or individual we serve.Retry
2.) What does the future hold for your organization?
The future of Hawkins Ash CPAs is built on strategic, sustainable growth across all ten of our Wisconsin and Minnesota locations. Our growth plan balances expansion with quality service delivery. Our vision centers on deepening existing client relationships while actively cultivating new partnerships that align with our expertise and values.
A key priority is the significant expansion of our business valuation service line. We're leveraging our established networks while simultaneously building new connections to position ourselves as the premier valuation experts in our markets. This specialized growth complements our core accounting services and responds to increasing client demand.
What makes our approach to growth distinctive is our ownership group's unwavering commitment to building a robust infrastructure that supports expansion without compromising service quality. We recognize that future success means more than just increasing our client base—it requires investing in our team, technology, and processes to enhance efficiency and deliver exceptional value.
As we evolve, we're focused on maintaining the perfect balance that has defined our success: combining sophisticated financial solutions with personalized attention. This means continually adapting to the changing business landscape while preserving our client-centered approach. Our future success will be measured not only by growth metrics but by the meaningful impact we make on our clients' financial well-being and the communities we serve.
To ensure this success, we're investing in talent development, technological advancement, and operational excellence—creating an environment where innovation thrives while maintaining the relationship-focused culture that distinguishes Hawkins Ash CPAs in the marketplace.
3.) How do you impact your community?
At Hawkins Ash CPAs, we take immense pride in our communities and actively work to strengthen them through our time, interest, and financial resources. Beyond the numerous organizations our employees volunteer with individually, each year our firm sponsors eight volunteer hours per employee focused on a unified mission—sometimes even closing our offices to ensure full participation. In 2024, we selected "Environmental & Sustainability" as our mission, partnering with organizations across our service areas to protect natural environments. Our volunteer teams supported diverse initiatives including Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in La Crosse, WI; Baird Creek Preservation Foundation and Green Bay Botanical Garden in Green Bay, WI; Woodland Dune Nature Center and Preserve and Nourish Farms in Manitowoc, WI; Make a Difference Day in Marshfield, WI; United Way of Taylor County and Boy Scouts in Medford, WI; Riveredge Nature Center in Mequon, WI; Heckrodt Nature Center in Neenah, WI; Carley State Park and Friends of Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester and St. Charles, MN; and roadside cleanup along Prairie Island Road in Winona, MN.
4.) Why is it important to your organization to support Summerfest through the Summerfest Business Alliance and what are some of the unique ways in which you distribute/use your Summerfest tickets?
At Hawkins Ash CPAs, we believe supporting Summerfest through the Business Alliance strengthens our commitment to community investment and relationship building. As a firm deeply rooted in Wisconsin, we recognize Summerfest's cultural significance and economic impact on our region. Supporting this iconic festival allows us to contribute to the vibrant arts scene that makes our communities special places to live and work.
The Business Alliance partnership offers us a unique opportunity to strengthen connections with both our team members and clients in a setting that goes beyond traditional business interactions. We've found that shared experiences around music and culture often build stronger, more authentic relationships than conventional client entertainment or team-building activities.
5.) When was the first time you attended Summerfest? Do you have a favorite Summerfest memory?
I first attended Summerfest when I was 12 years old with my dad. We saw Metallica and it was awesome!