Murray Stanley, Managing Partner, CPA, CGMA
Murray Stanley, Managing Partner, CPA, CGMA
Murray is the Managing Partner of the firm. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in management systems and personnel from Buena Vista University.
While attending Buena Vista University, Murray started his career with the firm in the data processing department. He continued to work his way through the firm holding positions of Staff Accountant, audit manager and management consultant services manager. In 2000, he was admitted as a Partner to the firm.
Murray has been published by Southwestern Thomson Learning.
Murray is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Society of Appraisers. He is also President of the Friends of Fort Dodge Swimming.
In his spare time, Murray can be found at his Spirit Lake cabin with his wife and hopefully some of his six children and twelve grandchildren.
Craig Amen, Partner,
CPA, CGMA
Craig Amen, Partner, CPA, CGMA
Craig was raised on a farm in northern Missouri and graduated in 1991 from Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman State University) with a Bachelor of Science-Accounting degree. After a short stint with a national firm, he joined the firm in August, 1992. Craig is the firm’s tax partner and is responsible for all aspects of tax preparation, review, planning and consulting. Craig is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accounts and holds the CPA and CGMA designations.
Craig and his wife Crystal live on an acreage near Fort Dodge where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys and one lazy pig. Craig & Crystal have four grown children and thirteen grandchildren. In his free time, Craig enjoys singing at church, working on the farm, playing golf and most of all, watching his grandchildren participate in their many activities.
Dean Barnett, Partner,
CPA, CGMA
Dean Barnett, Partner, CPA, CGMA
Dean graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in accounting. After college, he spent four years in the military where he worked in the accounting and finance division and as an internal auditor. While in the military, he also studied electronics and earned an advanced class amateur radio license.
After leaving the military, Dean took a position with McGladrey & Pullen in their Des Moines, Iowa office. In 1976, he was transferred to McGladrey’s office in Fort Dodge, and then in 1991 that office merged into Schnurr & Company, LLP. During this time, Dean and his wife were active in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church teaching Sunday School and various other activities and raised three children and now has six grandchildren.
Dean is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Nick Stanley, Partner,
CPA
Nick Stanley, Partner, CPA
Nick was admitted as a Partner in 2022. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and worked in the Des Moines area until joining the firm in 2012. Nick plans, leads and conducts audit and attestation, review, and compilation engagements for a wide variety of client industries. Nick is also involved in corporate, partnership, and individual income tax planning and preparation.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, biking, traveling, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones and Minnesota Vikings.
Nick is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has served on the Non-Profit Organization Committee and Governmental Organization Committee through the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is currently the treasurer of the Bondurant-Farrar Athletic Booster Club, the Bondurant Soccer Club, and the Bondurant Chamber of Commerce.
Alicia Jessen
Alicia Jessen
Alicia has been with the firm for 19 years and has over 40 years of extensive experience in financial accounting.
She received her degree in the 1970s. She enjoys working with clients to provide the best service possible. Alicia has 2 children and is a grandmother of 12. She spends her free time with her family and traveling with her husband, Larry.
Allison Smith
Allison Smith
Allison started with the firm in 2021 after graduating with an accounting degree from Iowa State University. She is a Staff Accountant in the Ames office and provides bookkeeping, payroll, and data processing services, as well as audit and tax preparation for a wide variety of client industries. Allison is currently pursuing her CPA certification.
Outside of work, Allison enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Alex Stanley
Alex Stanley
Alex joined the firm in 2008 and serves as a Staff Accountant in the Fort Dodge office. Alex provides bookkeeping, payroll, and payroll tax preparation, financial statement preparation, as well as audit, attestation, and review services for a wide variety of industries. He also assists with the preparation of individual, partnership, and corporate tax returns. Alex is currently pursuing his CPA certification.
In his free time, he enjoys being a father to his children and watching football, especially the Iowa State Cyclones and Minnesota Vikings.
Betty Peterson
Betty Peterson
Betty joined the firm in 2015 after graduating with an AA in Accounting from Iowa Central Community College. Betty is the receptionist for the Fort Dodge office along with providing tax support.
Betty is from Fort Dodge and is married with 2 children and 3 grandchildren. When not helping with grandchildren, she likes reading and doing crafts.
Carter Ledin
Carter Ledin
Carter joined the firm in 2023 after graduating with a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Iowa. Carter provides bookkeeping, data processing, payroll services, audit services, tax preparation, attestation, and review services for a wide variety of industries.
Carter is currently pursuing his CPA certification. He is originally from Ankeny, Iowa and works in the Ames office as a staff accountant. In his free time, he enjoys golfing with friends, watching the Hawkeyes, and spending time with family.
Derek Bell
Derek Bell
Derek joined the firm as a staff accountant in 2023, after graduating from Grand View University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. Derek provides bookkeeping, payroll services, financial statement audit, attestation, and review services. He is currently pursuing his CPA certification.
Originally from a small town in north central Iowa, Derek currently resides in the Des Moines area. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family.
Ericka Hinners
Ericka Hinners
Ericka joined the firm in 2021 after graduating with an accounting degree from Iowa State University. Ericka is a staff account in the Ames office and provides bookkeeping services, payroll services, financial statement compilations and payroll tax preparation. She also provides income tax preparation for individuals, partnerships, and corporations. Ericka is currently pursuing her CPA certification.
Outside of work, Ericka enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Evan Ray
Evan Ray
Evan joined the firm in 2021 after graduating with an accounting degree from Iowa State University. He is a Staff Accountant in the Ames office and provides financial statement audit, attestation, and review services for a wide variety of industries. He also assists with the preparation of individual, partnership, and corporate tax returns. Evan is currently pursuing his CPA certification.
Originally from Crystal Lake, Illinois, Evan moved to Ames to attend Iowa State. In his free time, he enjoys being active and spending time with friends and family.
Holly Ring
Holly Ring
Holly joined the firm in 2015 and serves as an Administrative Assistant in the Ames office. She earned a Bookkeeping Certificate and two-year degrees, an A.S in Paraprofessional Accounting and an A.A. in Liberal Arts. She loves to provide assistance to many of the day-to-day operations, such as processing tax returns, backup audit support, aid in bookkeeping and data entry, and performing general office activities.
Outside of work, Holly enjoys spending time with her family whether it’s at home or being adventurous, like attending Iowa State football games.
Jan Bowers
Jan Bowers
Jan joined the firm in 1994. She has an AA degree from Iowa Central Community College with an emphasis on business management. Jan provides audit support and receptionist duties in the Fort Dodge office.
Jan has a daughter and son-in-law and a new granddaughter whom she visits quite often (spoiling is her game). She enjoys reading, doing crafts, and playing cards.
Kyler Sander
Kyler Sander
Kyler joined the firm in 2024 after graduating from Dordt University with a double major in Physics and Mathematics. He serves as a Staff Accountant in the Fort Dodge office providing bookkeeping and financial statement preparation, as well as audit, attestation, and review services for a wide variety of industries. He also assists with the preparation of individual, partnership, and corporate tax returns. Kyler is currently working towards his MBA in Accounting in pursuit of a CPA certification.
Outside of work, Kyler enjoys a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and gardening. He also values spending time around a campfire with friends and family. Additionally, Kyler appreciates the simple pleasure of enjoying a good book with a cup of tea.
Margaret Conley
Margaret Conley
Margaret joined the firm in 1997. She has a degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science. She worked briefly for the Internal Revenue Service and has long had an interest in tax. Margaret, working seasonally, prepares individual tax returns. She was raised in Des Moines, Iowa.
Margaret and her husband, Blair, have 3 grown children. In her free time, Margaret enjoys sewing and being on a New York family farm near her 2 young grandsons.
Ryan Stanley
Ryan Stanley
Ryan joined the firm in 2022, before that he worked in the Des Moines area. Ryan received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Iowa. He serves as a Staff Accountant in the Ames office and provides bookkeeping, payroll, and payroll tax preparation, financial statement preparation, as well as audit, attestation, and review services for a wide variety of industries. He also assists with the preparation of individual, partnership, and corporate tax returns. Ryan is currently pursuing his CPA certification.
Outside of work, Ryan enjoys being outdoors, playing golf, biking, and spending time with friends and family. He also enjoys watching the Iowa Hawkeyes.
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