Gary Vande Vegte, Managing Partner
CPA, CMA
As the managing partner, Gary oversees firm operations by strategically planning for the future, and communicating our vision and goals throughout our organization. He also represents our firm in the communities we serve.
His professional focus is to provide a wide range of accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals, agricultural producers & entities, and small businesses in various industry sectors. Gary loves coming to work and particularly enjoys helping our clients capitalize on business opportunities and coaching them through challenging situations. Gary assists owner-operated dairies in the Upper Midwest and Texas, offering consulting, tax services, and accrual basis financial statement preparation. Gary enjoys public speaking engagements at dairy conferences and seminars.
Civic Involvement:
- Member of Board of Directors for Orange City Area Health System
- Member of Board of Directors for Orange City Christian School
- Volunteer coordinator for youth sports teams
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Golfing
- Boating
- Attending children's sporting and school events
Email: gary@vbandvv.com
Judi Van Berkel, Administrative Partner
CPA, MPA
Serving as the firm's administrative partner, Judi enjoys spending time on human resources and marketing efforts. In addition, she enjoys assisting individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations with their tax and accounting needs. Judi feels that our number one asset is our staff and she feels privileged to work with an amazing team of professionals who are uniquely equipped and gifted to serve our client base.
Civic Involvement:
- Treasurer of Board of Directors for Bethany Christian Services of Northwest Iowa
- Treasurer of Board of Directors for Sioux Center Christian School
- Member of Prayer Team for Katelyn's Fund Orphan Ministry
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts degree from Dordt College
- Master of Professional Accountancy degree from University of South Dakota
Interests and Hobbies:
- Walking
- Reading
- Cooking
- Playing games and spending time with kids
Email: judi@vbandvv.com
Amy Kleinhesselink, Manager
CPA
Amy's responsibilities include ensuring that the firm adheres to and is current with all new accounting standards and requirements. She also manages audit and attest engagements with specializations in employee benefit plans, manufacturing, and construction. Amy enjoys the challenges of working in a dynamic environment and developing professional advising relationships with new and long-standing clients.
Civic Involvement:
- Board Member for Orange City Chamber of Commerce
- Member of Orange City Young Professionals Group
- Selected as 2009 "Top 20 Under 40" by Northwest Iowa Review
- Participates in women's golf league
Education:
- BA in Accounting and Business Administration from Northwestern College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Running
- Shopping
- Playing outside with kids
Email: amy@vbandvv.com
Kari Schuiteman, Accountant
MBA
Kari grew up on a farm and has a keen interest in the agricultural sector. She is a member of the dairy team and also prepares individual, entity, and payroll tax returns. Kari enjoys working with farming and dairy clients, building relationships with clients and helping them with the business aspects of their operations. She enjoys "putting the pieces together" in complex engagements in order to see the big picture and give clients valuable advice and guidance. In addition, she appreciates working in a fun and positive environment.
Civic Involvement:
- Board member for Sioux County Love, INC
Education:
- BA in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa
- MBA from University of South Dakota
Interests and Hobbies:
- Working on the family farm
- Sand volleyball
- Reading
Email: kari@vbandvv.com
Brian Moeller, IT Manager
Brian is our firm's IT manager; he enjoys training both clients and staff to use technology, and is very knowledgeable and patient in doing so. Brian has extensive experience with QuickBooks®, Quicken®, and other accounting and tax applications. He is also involved in personal tax planning and preparation.
Interests and Hobbies:
- Nature photography
- Camping
- Playing with grandchildren
Email: brian@vbandvv.com
Ray Gibler, Accountant
M.ACC., CPA
Ray is a full-time professor of accounting at a local liberal arts college. He assists us on a part-time basis by researching complex tax issues, preparing and verifying tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and corporations. Ray enjoys the collegiality of working at our firm and appreciates that his colleagues challenge him intellectually. He particularly enjoys finding opportunities to apply his understanding of tax law to particular client situations.
Education:
- BS in Accounting from Northwest Nazarene University
- MAcc from Washington State University
Interests and Hobbies:
- Riding motorcycle
- Traveling
- Official for Iowa High School football
Email: ray@vbandvv.com
Matt Van Essen, Manager
CPA
Matt's areas of expertise are tax compliance and planning, cash flow and financial projections, general business consulting, and business valuation calculations. He is a co-manager of our tax team and specializes in small business and large dairy operations. Matt values working as a team with dedicated, knowledgeable professionals in a fun and flexible work environment. He especially enjoys assisting people and businesses to better understand and manage their finances, and helping them comply with and plan for one of the things that most people dread: taxes.
Civic Involvement:
- Volunteer coach for city league youth teams
- Selected as 2011 "Top 20 Under 40" by Northwest Iowa Review
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Information Systems from Dordt College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Running marathons
- Enjoys playing outside with his children
- Golfing
Email: matt@vbandvv.com
Katie Wieringa, Accountant
CPA
Katie is a member of the dairy team and stays busy with tax planning/preparation and financial statement preparation. She particularly enjoys working in the agriculture sector, and has personal experience in farming; she also holds a global perspective, having studied in the Netherlands for a semester and taught in China for three semesters. Katie enjoys working with our outstanding clients and assisting them in finding their true financial position, evaluating opportunities for improvement, assisting them with compliance efforts and overall contributing to their business success. She enjoys working as part of an exceptional team to provide the best service possible to our clients.
Civic Involvement:
Education:
- BA in Accounting and Business Administration from Dordt College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Cooking and baking
- Reading
- Spending time with friends
Email: katie@vbandvv.com
Michelle Wilson, Manager
CPA
Michelle is on the dairy team and serves as co-manager of the tax team. She specializes in taxation of individuals and entities, and is one of our in-house experts on partnership/LLC taxation. Michelle enjoys working through complex issues and developing staff. She appreciates the firm's family-oriented environment and personal relationships developed with clients and staff.
Civic Involvement:
- Member of Orange City Health System Women's Auxiliary
- Participates in women's golf league
Education:
- BA in Accounting from University of Iowa
Interests and Hobbies:
- Quilting
- Gardening/Landscaping
- Attending children's school and sports activities
Email: michelle@vbandvv.com
Barb De Boer, Manager
CPA
Barb is a seasoned professional and a manager with our firm. She is a member of the dairy team, and also works in tax planning/preparation and financial statement preparation. Barb enjoys the variety in her work and the day-to-day challenges that come along with her position; she enjoys both her clients and co-workers.
Civic Involvement:
- Member of Orange City Ambassadors
- Active in Coffee Break Bible study
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts degree from Dordt College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Former missionary in Uganda
- Reading
- Various church and civic activities
Email: barb@vbandvv.com
Sandie Van't Hof, Office Coordinator
Sandie is the office coordinator for the Orange City location and her tasks are too numerous to mention. In addition to payroll and recordkeeping, Sandie is responsible for the office's invoicing, credit and collections. Sandie enjoys learning new things and the diversity she encounters in every workday. She appreciates getting to know clients and meeting their needs, and she appreciates the fact that her co-workers all have a sense of humor.
Civic Involvement:
- Notary public in state of Iowa
- Active in community meals
Education:
- AA in Accounting and Administration of Justice from Monterey Peninsula College
Interests and Hobbies:
Email: sandie@vbandvv.com
Kasondra Kiel, Administrative Assistant
Kasondra is an administrative assistant in the Orange City office. She is responsible for the phones, scheduling, payroll preparation, processing tax returns, assisting clients with questions and signing returns, scanning, and filing. Kasondra enjoys the opportunity to interact with clients and get to know them on a personal level.
Education:
- Business Management from NCC
Interests and Hobbies:
- Member of True Emotion music/performance group
Email: kasondra@vbandvv.com
Kristin Breen, Accountant
CPA
Kristin is an audit and accounting senior at the firm, specializing in employee benefit plans. She also prepares individual and nonprofit tax returns, payroll taxes, and performs various other recordkeeping and accounting functions. Kristin enjoys the variety of tasks that each new day brings and appreciates both the camaraderie of her colleagues and interaction with clients in assisting with their diverse needs.
Civic Involvement:
- Treasurer of Orange City Christian School Covenant Foundation
- Member of Young Professionals Group
Education:
- BA in Accounting and Business Administration from Northwestern College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Playing and teaching piano
- Hosting murder mystery dinners
- Church Praise Team
Email: kristin@vbandvv.com
Teresa Miller, Accountant
CPA
Teresa's responsibilities with the firm include tax planning and preparation, as well as financial statement preparation. She is a member of the dairy team, and has several years of experience in consulting with small business, tax, MAS 90, and Quickbooks; she enjoys assisting clients in understanding and enhancing their businesses. Teresa appreciates the firm's positive and family-like atmosphere.
Civic Involvement:
- Treasurer of Orange City Arts Council
Education:
- BA in Accounting and Business Administration from Northwestern College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Playing with kids and attending their events
- Reading
- Church worship team
- Gardening
Email: teresa@vbandvv.com
Ellie Vitamvas, Accountant
CPA, MFAM
Ellie's responsibilities with the firm range from individual and entity tax preparation to audit fieldwork. She prepares financial statements, verifies returns prepared by others, and performs various other tasks as needed. Ellie enjoys the collegiality and the variety that public accounting offers.
Education:
- BA in Accounting from Northwestern College
- MAFM (Master of Accounting and Financial Management) from Keller Graduate School of Management
Interests and Hobbies:
- Home improvement
- Reading
- Camping
Email: ellie@vbandvv.com
Michael Ten Clay, Accountant
Michael is a staff accountant who is a generalist at the firm. He is a member of the dairy team and also performs tax and payroll preparation, completes audit fieldwork, and various other record keeping and accounting functions. Michael enjoys learning and interacting with colleagues as well as clients.
Education:
- BA in Accounting from Northwestern College
Interests and Hobbies:
- Home renovation
- Fireworks
- Slow-pitch softball, basketball, football
Email: michael@vbandvv.com
Mike Van Surksum, Accountant
CPA, MBA
Mike is the full-time comptroller at a local liberal arts college and works with us on a part-time basis. He is involved in individual and small business tax planning and preparation, financial statement preparation, and consulting as well as nonprofit tax and accounting services.
Education:
- BA from Dordt College
- MBA from the University of South Dakota
Interests and Hobbies:
- Attending children's activities
- Geo-caching
Email: mike@vbandvv.com
