Our Team
Shareholders
Don Raml, CPA
Don grew up on a grain and dairy farm in Goodwin, SD, and graduated from Watertown High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of South Dakota and is licensed as a CPA in both South Dakota and Minnesota. Don is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Dakota CPA Society and the Minnesota CPA Society. He is also involved in Rotary and the Watertown Municipal Band. Don has been working in the accounting industry since 1984. He is married to Jody Raml and resides in Watertown with their four children.
Michael W. Snyder, JD, CPA, ABV
Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 2004 and his J.D. (law degree) and Masters of Professional Accountancy in 2007, all from the University of South Dakota. After graduation Mike practiced law with a local firm before deciding to change his focus to accounting and taxation. While Mike no longer practices law, his education and experience in the law have proven to be priceless in advising his business clients. He joined VRS in November of 2008, obtained his CPA license in 2009, became a shareholder of VRS in 2011 and obtained his Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation in 2011. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Dakota CPA Society and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Mike’s primary areas of focus include individual and entity taxation, litigation support, business valuations, and estate planning and taxation. Mike is married to another Watertown native, Elizabeth (Hoefert) Snyder, and they reside in Watertown with their son and daughter.
Danielle Mikkelson, CPA, ABV
Danielle grew up on a farm in Lake Preston, SD, and graduated from Black Hills State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Accountancy. She has worked in the accounting industry since 2006. Danielle joined VRS in November of 2007 and became a shareholder in January of 2014. She is a licensed CPA in South Dakota, and in 2014, she obtained her Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation. Danielle is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Dakota CPA Society, the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and the Watertown Chamber Ag Committee. Her primary areas of focus include accounting and auditing services, helping clients with everything from preparation of compiled or reviewed financial statements to auditing of 401(k) plans and nonprofit organizations; business valuations; and tax services for individuals and small businesses. Danielle and her husband Josh have two daughters, Maliya and Havana.
Nathan Noeldner, CPA
Nathan, who is a native of South Shore, SD, joined VRS in October of 2010 after practicing public accounting for 15 years with firms in Mobridge and Watertown, SD. He is a 1995 graduate of Northern State University, a licensed CPA and a member of the South Dakota CPA Society. His primary focus is income taxation and tax planning for farms and small businesses. Nathan and his wife Stacy have three children, and you can probably find him spending time with his family, attending sporting events, hunting or fishing when he is not at work.
Accountants
Ash Griffin
Ash is a Watertown native and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Accounting degree in 2003. Ash joined VRS in October of 2015. His primary focus is accounting and auditing services along with tax planning and return preparation. Ash enjoys spending his free time with his children, Bret, Benjamin and Isabella.
Bonnie Cordell, CVA
Bonnie grew up on a farm in Ramona, SD. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Masters of Professional Accountancy in 2009 from the University of South Dakota. After graduation, Bonnie worked for two years in public accounting in Sioux Falls, and for four years in the healthcare industry performing general accounting and bookkeeping tasks, as well as financial analysis, forecasting and financial report preparation. In October of 2015, Bonnie moved to Watertown and joined VRS. In 2017 she obtained her Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation, and became a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Her areas of focus include accounting services, business valuations, tax planning and return preparation. Bonnie resides east of Watertown with her husband Chris. In her free time, Bonnie enjoys sports and other outdoor recreational activities, traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Chad Vilhauer
Chad graduated from Watertown High School in 2003, received a Bachelor degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007 and finished his accounting courses at Mount Marty College in 2010. Chad worked for two years with Northwestern Mutual Financial Services in Lincoln, Nebraska as a financial advisor before making the transition to public accounting. He joined VRS in 2009 and focuses on tax preparation, business consulting, financial planning and tax management. Chad and his wife Ellie reside in Watertown with their children: Shayla, Desmond and Kai.
Jennine Helm
Jennine is a native of Java, SD, and received her Associates of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Lake Area Technical Institute in May of 2013. After graduation, Jennine worked with a different local accounting firm before taking a position with VRS in June of 2013. Jennine does everything from data entry to tax preparation. Jennine resides in Watertown with her two daughters, Zoey and Aysia. When she isn’t working Jennine enjoys spending time with her daughters and family, listening to music, reading, fishing and walking.
John Dahl
John is a Watertown native and graduate of Mount Marty College. He is currently on his second tour with VRS, originally joining the firm in 2005. His primary focus is tax preparation and planning for individuals and small businesses, but also performs accounting and review services. John and his wife Stephanie reside in Watertown with their two children; Madeline and Andrew. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Marcus Engelhart, CPA
Marcus is a Watertown native and graduated from Watertown High School. In 2008, he received his Bachelor of Arts & Science degree in Business Economics from South Dakota State University. Marcus is a licensed CPA and has worked in public accounting since 2011 and joined VRS in June of 2015. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Dakota CPA Society. His primary areas of focus include accounting and auditing services, helping clients with everything from preparation of compiled or reviewed financial statements to auditing of 401(k) plans and nonprofit organizations; business valuations; and tax services for individuals and small businesses. Marcus is married to another Watertown native, Amy (Ellis) Engelhart, and they reside in Watertown with their twin boys, Eli and Bennett.
Mary Antony, CPA
Mary is a Watertown native that graduated from Mount Marty College in 2010 with her Bachelor degree in Accounting and Business Administration. After graduation Mary worked with a different local accounting firm before taking a position with VRS in July of 2011. Mary does everything from payroll assistance to tax preparation, and from sales tax returns to general accounting and data entry. Mary resides in Watertown with her husband Curtis and their two daughters, Hailey and Hannah.
Scott Theisen, CPA
Scott was born and raised in Clear Lake, SD, and is a graduate of Deuel High School. He received his joint Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2008 from the University of South Dakota with Summa Cum Laude honors. Scott has worked in public accounting for the last six years and joined VRS in October of 2014. Scott’s primary area of expertise is with individual, partnership and corporation taxation but is also experienced in non-profit and governmental accounting and auditing services. Scott is a CPA and a member of the South Dakota CPA Society. When not at work, Scott enjoys spending time with the love of his life, Shelly, and their children: Elsie, Evelyn and Kasher. Scott enjoys fishing, target shooting, watching the Vikings, camping, bike riding and participating in other various outdoor activities.Mary is a Watertown native that graduated from Mount Marty College in 2010 with her Bachelor degree in Accounting and Business Administration. After graduation Mary worked with a different local accounting firm before taking a position with VRS in July of 2011. Mary does everything from payroll assistance to tax preparation, and from sales tax returns to general accounting and data entry. Mary resides in Watertown with her husband Curtis and their two daughters, Hailey and Hannah.
Sherry Kleinsasser, CPA
Sherry, a native of Kranzburg, graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and also with a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 1999. She joined VRS in 1999 and has been a licensed CPA since 2002. Sherry’s primary focus is accounting, review and auditing services with an emphasis on governmental and non-profit organizations. In addition, she provides tax services to individuals and small businesses. Sherry is a member of the South Dakota CPA Society and the Watertown Optimist Club. She lives in Watertown with her son Brayden and husband Lonnie, an engineer draftsman for Terex Utilities.
Tye Raml
Tye is a Watertown native and graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2017 with a Bachelor degree in Accounting. He joined VRS in June of 2017 as a Staff Accountant. His primary focus is accounting and auditing services, along with tax planning and return preparation. In his free time, Tye enjoys spending time with family and friends, and watching and playing various sports.
Bookkeepers
Brandi Barondeau
Brandi grew up in Clear Lake, SD, and graduated from Deuel High School in 2013. She received her Financial Services degree in Accounting in May of 2015 from Lake Area Technical Institute, then graduated from Mount Marty College with her Bachelor degree in Accounting in May of 2017. Brandi started with VRS in September of 2015. She assists with sales tax compliance, data processing, financial statement preparation and payroll. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, running and fishing.
Brittany Valnes
Brittany graduated from Watertown High School in 2007. She received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Financial Services in 2009 and Business Associate degree in 2011 from Lake Area Technical Institute. She joined VRS in September of 2014 and assists clients with data processing and financial statement preparation. Brittany resides in Sisseton with her husband Tony and their doberman Reese. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and being outdoors.
Brooke Bohls
Brooke, a native of Moorhead, MN, moved to Watertown in 2004 to attend Lake Area Technical Institute, receiving her Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting in 2005. After seven years of working for a local non-profit organization, she joined VRS in December of 2012. She assists clients with payroll processing, payroll tax returns, sales tax reporting, data entry and financial statement preparation. Brooke and her husband Todd reside in Watertown with their two children, Kaydence and Kyler.
Deb Swenson
Deb joined VRS in July of 1987 after graduating from Southwestern Vocational Technical Institute in Granite Falls, MN with a degree in accounting and data processing. Over the years her role in the office has evolved into helping clients with all aspects of accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, on-line software training and data processing. In addition, Deb provides clients with interim bookkeeping assistance and works with more complex bookkeeping issues. While she works with clients from various types of industries, a favorite focus is the agriculture industry. As the senior member of the bookkeeping department, Deb meets with prospective clients to help them determine what services would best fit their accounting needs. Deb also assists VRS with their information technology issues and keeps the office computer systems running and up to date. Deb and her husband Tim reside in Watertown and have two daughters, Terra and Taylor. In Deb’s spare time, she can be found spending time with family and friends or on the golf course trying to improve her game.
Jan Hansen
Jan grew up on a grain and dairy farm near Mitchell, SD. She received her Associate of Arts degree in Nursing from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1999 and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from South Dakota State University. Jan has been working in the healthcare field for the past 15 years. She received her Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Mount Marty College and in December of 2016 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Jan joined VRS in March of 2015 and primarily focuses on data entry and financial statement preparation. Jan and her husband, Chad, reside in Watertown with their two sons, Tanner and Corbin. In her free time, she runs a cake/party business and enjoys scrapbooking, going on walks and spending time with her family.
Megan Swanson
Megan is a Watertown native and graduate of Watertown High School. After attending the University of Minnesota-Crookston, she returned to Watertown to work in the medical and finance fields. Megan joined VRS in March of 2015 and primarily focuses on data entry and financial statement preparation. Megan resides near Florence with her husband Jaimie, daughter Kendalyn and German short-haired pointer Ruger. She enjoys horseback riding, fishing, target shooting and football.
Ricki Boyle
Ricki Boyle is from the Brookings area and assists Chad in the Brookings office as a data processing specialist. Ricki was born and raised near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She obtained her EMT-B Certificate from Hibbing Community College. Ricki moved to South Dakota to accept a job with South Dakota State University’s Aviation Program to pursue her love of aviation and begin a role in payroll and bookkeeping. She is currently attending Lake Area Technical Institute and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2018 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Accounting. Ricki does everything from assisting clients to general office support to payroll and bookkeeping. Ricki resides south of Brookings with her husband Zach, their daughter Aspen and puggle Whiskey.
Payroll
Anna Bisgard
Anna graduated from South Shore High School in 1998 and received her Associates of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Lake Area Technical Institute in December of 2005. Anna joined VRS in August of 2006 and has experience working with multiple software applications. While she serves multiple rolls within VRS, Anna primarily helps clients with payroll processing and payroll tax returns, sales tax reporting, data entry and financial statement preparation. Anna has worked with clients from various industries – ranging from funeral homes to physicians and from contractors to farmers. She was married in February of 2003 to Jake Bisgard, and they reside in Watertown with their two children, Mallory and Soren.
Julie Wanner
Julie grew up in Fargo, ND, and graduated from Shanley High School. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1998 with a Bachelor degree in Communications and from Rasmussen College in 2005 with an Associate degree in Accounting. Julie joined VRS in November of 2014. She primarily works with clients on payroll processing. Julie and her husband Keith reside in Watertown with their beagle CJ. In her free time, Julie enjoys traveling and volunteering.
Samantha Jondahl
Sam grew up in Groton, SD, and graduated from Groton High School. She received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Lake Area Technical Institute in December of 2016. Sam joined VRS in September of 2015 as an Intern and in May of 2016 became a full-time employee. She primarily works with clients on payroll processing and payroll tax returns. Sam and her husband Andy reside in Watertown with their four boys: Lane, Levi, Lawson and Lexton. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening and canning produce.
Administration
Beth Henricks
Beth was born and raised in Watertown, SD. She studied dental assisting at Lake Area Technical Institute and graduated in 2010. Beth worked for a dental office in Watertown before joining VRS in March of 2015. She is the Office Manager, which requires her to oversee the front desk, as well as, provide general office support. Beth resides north of Watertown with her husband Mark and their border collie Molly. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, running and spending time with her family.
Briana Davis
Briana grew up in Castlewood, SD, and graduated from Castlewood School District in 2012. She received her Surgical Technology Diploma in July of 2013 from Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls. Briana worked for a clinic in Watertown before joining VRS in June of 2017 as the Receptionist. Briana and her boyfriend Kyle reside near Hayti. In her free time, she enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
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