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What is now O. W. Krohn & Associates, LLP began operations on December 1st, 1986. After spending 8 1/2 years with a regional CPA firm, Otto W. "Buzz" Krohn hung out his shingle as a sole practitioner, operating from his home in Fishers, Indiana. With one municipal client, Buzz scrambled to establish a viable accounting practice taking on individual tax clients and small businesses wherever he could spread his wings. In the early days, it was just Buzz and Paula Walker. Paula helped implement micro-computer applications for O. W. Krohn & Associates when PCs were first introduced into small business applications. Paula was busy starting her own family at that time, but was always there when things needed to be done. Thank goodness that things don't really change that much! Paula’s attitude and perseverance exemplifies what O. W. Krohn & Associates strives to be for their clients. Micro-computers were still a new phenomenon. "64 K" was a big system. Lotus 123 was the new hot spreadsheet software, replacing "Visi-calc". There was no windows, no internet, no e-mail, no powerpoint, no speed and no memory - just "memories".
In 1990, Buzz was able to grow his utility & local government consulting practice getting one engagement at a time. A local developer in Fishers hired Buzz to help set the groundwork for what is now the largest private wastewater utility in the State of Indiana: Hamilton Southeastern Utilities (HSE). Former colleagues and friends became valuable sources of referrals for small utilities and small communities. In 1992, Buzz moved his practice into real offices. By 1995, the firm had outgrown its space and moved again. By that time, Jim Treat had begun establishing himself as an integral part of the team. 20 years prior to joining O. W. Krohn & Associates, Jim Treat hired Buzz to work in his family’s business (Treat’s Squire Shop in Plymouth, Indiana) when Buzz first became a Hoosier. Buzz & Jim were High School classmates at that time. Moving forward 20 plus years, and coming from Notre Dame’s School of Business, a Big 8 Accounting Firm background and experience as an Internal Auditor for a National healthcare provider, Jim Treat joined the firm in 1995 and immediately became an impact player. In 1998, Jim became Buzz’s partner. Together, they have taken O. W. Krohn & Associates to a level where their expertise is in demand throughout the State of Indiana and beyond.
O. W. Krohn & Associates has served more than 75 communities throughout Indiana and the Midwest on hundred of engagements involving local governmental finance, utility rates, tax rates, financial feasibility studies, cost of service issues, inter-governmental agreements, wholesale contracts, mergers, acquisitions, accounting & information systems, financial reporting, strategic planning and long-term financial planning activities. O. W. Krohn & Associates is now one of the premier financial consulting firms for local government and utilities in the State of Indiana.
Human Resources are, without a doubt, the most important aspect of the firm's successes. In addition to Buzz Krohn, Jim Treat and Paula Walker, Tom Long, CPA became an Associate of the firm in the mid-1990’s and continues to provide resources and expertise in tax and traditional service engagements with his firm, Long & Associates, LLC. Rosy Oshry joined the firm in 2001. Coming from an investment banking background and a Finance Degree from IU’s Kelley School of Business, Rosy has developed expertise in local government finance & budgeting, economic development finance, financial reporting and regulatory compliance matters. Rosy and Paula Walker are Senior Consultants and Project Managers for O. W. Krohn & Associates, LLP. Jarrod Hall worked as an intern for O. W. Krohn & Associates during his senior year at Ball State and worked part-time while finishing his 150 hour credit requirement to become a CPA candidate. He celebrated his 1 year full-time employment anniversary at O.W. Krohn & Associates by his marriage to Trish Boink in 2010. Alice Eads, Jennifer Walker and Catherine Morrison round out the accounting staff while Kathy Hancock, Office Manager, keeps her arms around the logistics of everybody and everything. Kathy is also renowned for her delicious recipes, charm and unselfish kindness.
Again, the Human Resources at O. W. Krohn & Associates, LLP are without a doubt the firm’s most important assets.
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