John Thorvilson, CPA

Shareholder, Director of Tax Services
john.thorvilson@mtkcpa.com

"We want to be the people to call about business or life decisions beyond the tax return or financial statements. We structure each relationship so they can call us anytime. If they call us often, then we can be involved in their decision making process and help them to head off problems and provide solutions. This isn't work. This is what I love to do, so there is no such thing as leaving the office."

John started his career as a tax specialist in 1978 with a 2nd tier international accounting firm. He joined Moquist Thorvilson Kaufmann Kennedy & Pieper LLC in 1981 and heads up the firm's tax services business thrust.

His goal for Moquist Thorvilson Kaufmann Kennedy & Pieper LLC has always been for it to be among the top technical tax practices in the Twin Cities. Beginning in the late 80s and throughout the 90s, John helped emerging growth companies get access to needed capital by providing thoughtful business strategies and sophisticated financial forecasts and business plans that investment bankers would fund. Moquist Thorvilson Kaufmann Kennedy & Pieper LLC supports clients with a broad range of proprietary business development services that assist them in becoming high performance organizations.

"I'm proud of the fact that my first business client when I joined here in 1981 is still my client today. I've helped transition the business from father to son and now the son's kids are in the business. Those relationships are something I really value."

As co-managing shareholder, John supports the management and growth of the firm while still maintaining a base of clients. Solving problems and navigating hard conversations in a closely-held or family business are among John's strengths whether he is advising on business structure and strategy, acquisitions, estate tax or succession planning.

"We are as technically qualified as any CPA firm, but we are also passionate business advisors to our clients. We have a business planning process that is very unique."

Core Specializations

• Tax and Entrepreneurial Business Services
• Market Leader Advisory Services
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• International Business Consulting

Education

• B.S. Accounting, Economics Minor, Moorhead State University, 1978
• Real Estate Broker License
• Insurance License
• NASD Series 66 License

Professional Affiliations

• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Member, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Member, Executive Group

Interests and Activities

• Board of Directors, Ordway Circle of Stars, St. Paul, MN
• Youth Football Coach, Wayzata, MN

John takes opportunities to deepen relationships with clients and friends by meeting them at the golf course at least a couple times a week in the summer. Married to his junior high school sweetheart, John says that their home was always the hangout place for their three daughters' friends. Whether it was football season or hockey season the kids knew they were welcome. He claims to have gone to more dance recitals than any dad alive and it is starting all over again with his granddaughter. He looks forward to another family tradition of Sunday afternoons at the Children's Theatre with his granddaughter.