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About Us

We combine the experience of a large firm with the personal attention that only a small firm can provide. Our clients come back to us year after year because they know they are in good hands. We work to develop long-term relationships; whether your needs are simple or complex, we can help.

Please take a moment and read more about our people, our history, our credentials, our areas of specialization. If you have any questions or would like more detailed information about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to serve you.

Our People

Diane D. Krueger-Pirnat, CPA, Shareholder, President ddkfort@fortco-cpa.com

Diane holds a B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration and has been a licensed CPA since 2001. Diane has a diverse employment history that helps in her specialty areas of small business development, QuickBooks setup, and bookkeeping. She is also instrumental in the nonprofit and governmental accounting and auditing area and conducting audits and tax return preparation for a variety of business entities, as well as individuals. Diane is a member of the Aurora, Chisholm, Hibbing, and Hoyt Lakes Chambers of Commerce, serves as treasurer for the City of Biwabik, and is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Away from the office, she enjoys golfing, reading, four-wheeling, and spending time with family and horses.


Connor B. Michels, EA, Shareholder, Vice President/Treasurer
cbmfort@fortco-cpa.com

Connor holds a B.S in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration, as well as, a “Certificate of Enrollment” to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. His primary duties include payroll; monthly bookkeeping; individual, estate, fiduciary, and business income tax return preparation and planning; computer applications support; and audit support staff. Connor is a board member of the Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival and MCC Youth Golf Association, as well as, Supervisory Committee chairman of Northridge Community Credit Union.  In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and watching sports.


Christine A. Towner, CPA, Shareholder, Secretary
ctowner@fortco-cpa.com

Christine holds a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Finance and has been a licensed CPA since 2009. She works closely with small businesses to assist them with various areas of accounting, including bookkeeping, payroll, taxation, and tax planning. Christine also provides individual income tax preparation and planning, QuickBooks consulting, and nonprofit and governmental auditing. Christine is an active member and secretary of the Chisholm Kiwanis Club and participates in the usher team at Open Door Church of Hibbing. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the lake with family, fishing for crappies and bass, and playing cards. She is also a dedicated Vikings fan.


Victoria C. Arnoldy, CPA
Shareholder
vkolo@fortco-cpa.com

Torie holds a B.S. degree in Accounting and a minor in Information Technology Management, an A.S. in Business Administration, and has been a licensed CPA since 2011. She is experienced in many areas of accounting including payroll; bookkeeping; business, individual, and fiduciary income tax preparation; and governmental and nonprofit auditing. She also maintains the website and social media accounts of the firm. Torie serves on the board of directors of Project Care Free Clinic and is actively involved in their fundraising events. When she is out of the office, she can be found rooting for the Twins, rocking out to Queen, or playing with her children.


Kim A. Jarvis
kamfort@fortco-cpa.com

Kim holds and A.A. with an emphasis in Accounting. On a day-to-day basis, she works on monthly accounting for small to medium sized businesses; all phases of payroll; monthly gambling returns; individual, business, and non-profit tax projections and tax preparation; and QuickBooks consulting. Kim volunteers her time to various nonprofit organizations to help with bookkeeping issues and fundraisers. When she is not in the office, Kim enjoys spending time outdoors four-wheeling and camping with her husband, friends, and family. She also has an extensive collection of wolf pictures and figurines.


Michael C. Yonkovich
myonkovich@fortco-cpa.com

Mike holds a B.S. degree in Accounting and a minor in Fraud Examination. His primary duties include monthly bookkeeping, individual income tax preparation, and payroll. With his free time, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors four-wheeling, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and staying at the lake with his family.


Tracy A. Oksanen
taafort@fortco-cpa.com

Tracy received a B.S. in Mathematics Education with a minor in Computer Science. Her primary duties include payroll, monthly bookkeeping, and individual income tax preparation. In her spare time, Tracy prefers to read, knit, and spend time with her family and grandchildren.


Morgan L. Anderson
manderson@fortco-cpa.com

Morgan holds a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Mathematics. She provides multiple services including payroll, monthly bookkeeping, individual and business income tax preparation, and audit support for nonprofits and governments. Morgan serves on the board of directors of Project Care Free Clinic. In her spare time, Morgan enjoys spending time at local sporting events. She also loves spending time with her nieces, baking Christmas cookies, and discussing ‘90s sitcoms and English muffins.


Theodore J. Arnoldy
tarnoldy@fortco-cpa.com

Ted holds a B.S. degree in Accounting. He brings to Fort & Company more than a decade of experience in various accounting spheres that include private, corporate, non-profit, and governmental accounting. He maintains the company’s financial records, along with taking on various client duties. Ted serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors at Victory Christian Academy and is actively involved in the school’s operations and success. When he is out of the office, he can be found with his family or running his business venture JETZ Party Rentals.


Rebecca Caroon
rcaroon@fortco-cpa.com

Becca holds an A.A. Degree and brings more than 15 years of experience in all phases of customer service. Her primary duties include general administrative support, maintaining the company’s financial records, client billing, and various other client duties and financials. Outside of the office she can be found park hopping with her kids, spending time with family and friends, or laughing along with a comedy movie/podcast.


Jacqueline Martinez
recept@fortco-cpa.com

Jackie joined Fort & Company after return to Minnesota from living in the state of Washington for 3 years. She brings over 12 years of office experience including receptionist, manager, administrator, coordinator, and personal assistant. Outside the office, Jackie likes to help others, get creative using crafts and junk art, and enjoys spending time camping, hiking, fishing, and sitting around a bon fire.


Our History

Fort & Company was incorporated in April of 1989 by John Fort, CPA, who already had over 15 years of experience in public accounting. In 2003, the firm welcomed Diane Krueger-Pirnat, CPA as a partner and expanded the practice by adding an office in Biwabik. In 2006, the firm purchased an existing practice in Chisholm as well as welcoming Connor Michels, EA as a partner to Fort & Company. In January 2013, Diane and Connor purchased the firm from John; and, in 2015, Christine Towner was added as a partner. The firm has always focused on client service and has continued to grow throughout the years, increasing the services provided and the number of full-time employees.

Our Credentials

The firm is a member of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Our Areas of Specialization

Fort & Company, PA offers services to clients in five main areas:

  • Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Taxes
  • Management advisory services
  • Specialized accounting services

None of these areas are unique to public accounting; what makes Fort & Company, PA unique is the personal attention and service that we bring to each client.