Dennis Gardiner, CPA

Dennis Gardiner joined the firm in 1984, was promoted to partner in 2003, and made managing partner in January 2011, however he truly grew up surrounded by the business. Like most kids, he did not really know what he wanted to do after graduating from high school (Waukee, IA). Dennis worked retail throughout school and into his college years at Drake University. He enjoyed working retail and thought it might make a good career until his manager at the time really directed him to put his head down and focus on accounting. He grew up always interested in his father’s (Dan Gardiner) career. Dennis worked for the firm while finishing his college degree and then joined the firm shortly after graduating. When Dan Gardiner stepped down, due to health issues in January 2011, Dennis took over and became managing partner. He is very proud to follow in his father’s footsteps and help to continue to grow the firm Dan started.

Dennis specializes in agriculture clients, credit union practice and firm administration. He is a member of AICPA, ISCPA and NSAC, as well as assists the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives with management and director training. Dennis is licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and California. He has been all across the map and, after almost 30 years, he still enjoys to travel! One of the things he enjoys most is helping clients manage their equity, minimize their tax obligations and build their balance sheet. Dennis thrives on challenging management and the board of directors to look at their business differently by utilizing various allocation alternatives, using different tax deductions and understanding how their decisions affect their balance sheet. Outside of the office you can find Dennis spending time with his family; wife (Laura), daughter and son-in-law (Allison and Grant), daughter and son-in-law (Emily and Robert), son and daughter-in-law (Matthew and Kathleen) as well as his two grandsons (Benson and Wes). He also spends his free time enjoying the outdoors, watching the Chicago Cubs and even a bit of traveling.