Clausens build Reno accounting firm with father-son teamwork

When Dan Clausen decided to move back to Reno to work for his father Jim’s new accounting firm almost 15 years ago, the latter at first thought it probably wasn’t such a good idea.

“As far as a father-son business, I was a little apprehensive about it,” Jim Clausen said in an interview with NNBW at the firm’s office. “As a parent, you don’t want to ruin the relationship with your son because of work.”

Jim Clausen, a veteran of nearly three decades of experience working as a certified public accountant for firms in Reno and Carson City, was employed at the time with Muckel Anderson CPAs. While he felt he had a good job at Muckel Anderson, he was experiencing what he termed as ‘burnout’ and was itching for a new challenge.

So in August of 2001, he left Muckel Anderson to venture out with his own business.

Clausen admitted he was somewhat “anxious” when he walked into his new office for the first time, but added it was a relatively easy transition.

He found a good deal on an office space at the Kietzke Plaza, a business park near Kietzke Lane and South Virginia Street intersection in Reno. He contacts with software and office machine vendors from his old firm helped him set up his office operations, and he brought in an assistant to help him get started.

“I was also able to bring my existing clients over to the new business, although some of his larger clients stayed behind at Muckel Anderson, which was fine,” Jim Clausen said. “They had the staff at the time to support those clients.”

A short time later, Dan Clausen returned to northern Nevada to reconnect with his family. A graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., he had been working for a large accounting firm in the Bay Area,

“Living in the big city was fun but the opportunity presented itself to get back to Reno,” Dan Clausen said. “I wanted to be closer to my family. My mom and dad were here. My brother was going to school at the University of Nevada, Reno. I allowed me to reconnect with them.”

If Jim Clausen initially had reservations about bringing his son into the business because he wondered if it could ruin their personal relationship, he found his early assumption was far from the truth. In fact they feel their business partnership has only strengthened their natural bond.

“In some ways, we have never been closer friends,” Jim Clausen said.

The Clausens intentionally kept their business small, figuring it’s easier for them to keep a more personable relationship with their clients.

“Ninety percent of the clients we receive are through referrals,” Dan Clausen said. “Our philosophy is if we do a good job for our current clients, they will refer us to their other associates.”

They have some long-standing relationships, including one client that dates back to 1981, and a mix of businesses, individual and family clients.

Among its services include tax planning and preparation, financial reporting and various accounting services. They said about 70 percent of the business involves some form of tax services.

“Dan and I have a philosophy that we want to be very engaging with our clients to always be looking out for ways to help them,” Jim Clausen said. “We always encourage our clients to call us if they have any questions.”

They employ one other CPA, Christine Cook, who joined the firm in 2010 as an intern while she finished her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. Two other employees, Jarrod Potter and Nancy Daly assist with accounting services.

They are still located at Kietzke Plaza, although they moved into another office in the business park.

Aside from their friendship, Jim Clausen has developed a trust in Dan and has begun turning controlling interest in the firm to him, although Jim has no immediate plans to step away entirely.

As the younger Clausen takes on more of a leadership role with the company, he sees his father not only as a friend, but as the best mentor he could find.

“Back when I started, he taught me a tremendous amount of knowledge and it continues to this day,” Dan Clausen said. “When I get stumped on a question, although we have our other resources to go to, the best resource is in the office next door.”