Dan Swanson, Manager at Cray Kaiser, has accounting in his blood. In the Swanson family, you’re either a teacher or an accountant. And lucky for us, he chose accounting. Growing up surrounded by CPAs, he learned that accounting is about more than numbers and money. It’s about listening. Dan values listening closely to his clients so he can absorb as much as possible about their needs, goals and history. He combines this with detailed research to create a universal view of his clients’ businesses, making him the go-to guy for questions.

After graduating from Carroll University with a degree in accounting, Dan started his career as a staff accountant at K-Five Construction. There, he learned to understand and appreciate the challenges the construction industry brings to financials. At Cray Kaiser, Dan continues to work with many clients in the construction industry in addition to serving clients in the manufacturing, waste collection, technology and wholesale industries. He appreciates the variety and challenge that public accounting offers because you never know what your day will bring or where your next conversation will take you.

After 10 years at Cray Kaiser, Dan still believes he found a firm whose mission, vision, and core values are perfectly aligned with his own. Beyond building close relationships with the owners of many family-owned and closely-held businesses, Dan is a leader in the assurance department. He frequently presents training sessions for staff on accounting and auditing standards, arming his teammates with the knowledge and confidence they need to better serve their clients. Having the accounting and assurance experience provides the foundation to the consulting and tax services he brings to each engagement. Overall, Dan appreciates the ability to see the whole picture and provide unique insights into how to best educate and empower clients with the financial know-how to lead their businesses into the future.

Community: Dan is a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).