June 10, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Eide Bailly LLP.

Eide Bailly’s three new partners in Sioux Falls are up-and-coming members of the firm who are dedicated to their clients and community.

Nick Crank, Luke Johnson and Mandy Sutton are part of a group of 22 new partners accepted recently into the partnership at Eide Bailly, a regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm.

“I’m thrilled to welcome these talented individuals into the partnership,” said Dave Stende, Eide Bailly managing partner and CEO. “2020 was a challenging year for everyone, but these new partners have shown great leadership through the adversity.”

Get to know the new Sioux Falls partners in their own words below.

Nick Crank

Nick Crank grew up in Watertown, attended Watertown High School and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and master’s degree at the University of South Dakota.

What drew you to the field of accounting?

My high school had an accounting class, which I randomly signed up for and really enjoyed it. I had always liked business and was good with numbers, so the career just fit everything I was looking for.

What connected you with Eide Bailly, and what do you like about the firm?

During my time in graduate school, Eide Bailly was performing interviews on campus, and I signed up. I am pretty sure I signed up for a tax internship in Aberdeen, and they ended up hiring me for an audit internship in Sioux Falls. I am not sure how that all worked out, but I am glad it worked out the way it did! Early in my career, I could see that everyone I worked with within our office wanted me to succeed and took time to help me succeed, and that has not changed over the 10-plus years I have worked here.

What’s the best part about your job?

It is hard to pick one best part of my job, so I will pick two. For me, the job is different every day, and there is that unknown of what you are going to get yourself into during that day. That keeps me wanting more and being excited to go to work most every day! There has not been a day that has gone by where I have not learned something new, and this profession is great for that continuous learning you need in life. The second thing is the people we get to work with and clients we get to work for. We are blessed to work in such a great area of the country where people come from many different backgrounds but generally are just good people.

Is there any area of accounting you consider your specialty?

I work in the audit department and mainly specialize in the health care and rural utilities industries.

How do you connect to the Sioux Falls community? Are there organizations or causes you’re drawn to support?

With the COVID pandemic, things have slowed down a little bit in this area for me. I hope to get back out there and be a bit more active as things open back up. I was recently elected to the advisory board for the Family Visitation Center here in Sioux Falls. I am really excited about this opportunity as this is an organization that serves a critical role in our community doing a number of things but mainly helping children to still be able to be connected with their parents but in an emotionally and physically safe environment. I also have had the privilege of working with the United Way for a number of years helping with fundraising efforts for their annual campaigns as a liaison for certain businesses if they have questions about starting a campaign or growing a campaign. Check out the statistics on this organization; their mission and programs affect so many people’s lives in the Sioux Falls area. It is truly amazing! I am also involved with some fundraising efforts for Junior Achievement of South Dakota, another great organization that has impacted so many kids in the Sioux Falls area.

What can we find you doing for fun when you’re not working?

Golf has always been one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I have progressively gotten worse at it over the years, but I still really enjoy getting out with my wife or friends to play. I enjoy hockey. I have gotten out and played a little bit here recently and still have a passion for it but have really lost all of my skills at this point in life! Outside of those activities, I enjoy spending some summertime at my parents’ lake house with my family and continue to be amazed at how long my nieces and nephews can swim and still not get tired!

What advice would you give to a young person pursuing a career in accounting?

A career in public accounting at a CPA firm provides so many opportunities. You might not think that taxes or audits is what you want to do for a career long term, but I think you would be surprised how rewarding of a career it is and how great the professionals are that you work with and the clients you get a chance to meet and learn from. Working for a CPA firm provides a lot of external opportunities that might not be there if you don’t have that experience and your CPA license as well. Give it a shot; it might be exactly what you are looking for — like it is for me — and if it is not, it is a great springboard to the private accounting side.

Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson grew up and went to high school in Garretson before attending the University of South Dakota and ultimately earning his MPA. He interned with Eide Bailly in 2009 and joined full time in July 2009 after graduating.

What drew you to the field of accounting?

I really enjoyed an ag management course that included some accounting concepts I took in high school, as well as some of the entry-level accounting classes I was taking at USD so decided to pursue accounting as a specialty.

What connected you with Eide Bailly, and what do you like about the firm?

I had some friends in college that I stayed in contact with that were employed at the firm, and a family friend was a client that recommended me for an internship. Beginning with that internship, I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with some great people at Eide Bailly, both within the firm and external clients. The culture of the firm is also very important and what makes it a great place to work.

What’s the best part about your job?

I really enjoy the variety my job provides. I get the opportunity to work with clients in multiple industries, and each day is completely different from the last.

Is there any area of accounting you consider your specialty?

My primary focus is audit, accounting and consulting work for electric and telephone utilities, manufacturing and distribution clients and audits of employee benefit plans.

How do you connect to the Sioux Falls community? Are there organizations or causes you’re drawn to support?

I’ve been involved with Junior Achievement as a volunteer and in helping with its fundraising efforts to help provide opportunities for area students.

What can we find you doing for fun when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling with my wife and letting her win on the golf course sometimes.

What advice would you give to a young person pursuing a career in accounting?

I would encourage those young accountants interested in the profession to pass the CPA exam as soon as they can after college. You’ll find it’s easier to study than later in life and a designation that will be beneficial to you no matter where your career takes you.

Mandy Sutton

Mandy Sutton grew up in Ward, graduated from Flandreau High School and earned her professional accountancy degree from Northern State University. She interned with Eide Bailly in 2011 and joined the firm full time in January 2012.

What drew you to the field of accounting?

I was initially drawn toward the field of accounting because math was always my favorite subject in school, so I really wanted a career where I could work with numbers. As I got to know more about the accounting profession, I became drawn to public accounting after realizing that public accounting also involved getting to work with a variety of people. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed helping, supporting and working with people, so I feel like I won the lottery with a career in public accounting!

What connected you with Eide Bailly, and what do you like about the firm?

I originally learned about Eide Bailly by participating in Meet Eide Bailly at the Aberdeen office while attending college. The one thing that stood out to me after these Meet Eide Bailly days was the way the staff spoke about Eide Bailly and their work. They enjoyed the work that they were doing and spoke highly of Eide Bailly’s culture and the way they valued their people. Needless to say, I was hooked! I had the opportunity to intern with Eide Bailly before starting full time and was quickly able to understand why those employees spoke so highly of Eide Bailly and am happy to say that I still feel the same way many years later.

What’s the best part about your job?

The people – both my co-workers and the clients I have the opportunity to work with! The people that I get to work with at Eide Bailly are not only dedicated and knowledgeable professionals but are also community-minded and people that push you to be the best version of yourself. Similarly, the clients that I have the privilege to work with are top-notch professionals, and I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to work alongside them and help them work toward accomplishing their goals.

Is there any area of accounting you consider your specialty?

I specialize in tax, working with both businesses — mainly various types of real estate entities, investment entities and closely held businesses — and individuals.

How do you connect to the Sioux Falls community? Are there organizations or causes you’re drawn to support?

I have been a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement for the past few years and always enjoy the excitement that the youth have to learn about finances in a unique way! I also feel passionate about Prairie Family Business Association. I have had the opportunity to participate in the two most recent Annual Family Business Conferences and be an adviser in a case study. I am impressed by their leadership and the various programs they have implemented to help family businesses not only in South Dakota but the reputation they are building nationally and even internationally. Both organizations are doing great things!

What can we find you doing for fun when you’re not working?

Spending time with my husband, Holist, and two kids: Emersyn, 5, and Cadi, 2; reading or doing DIY projects.

What advice would you give to a young person pursuing a career in accounting?

There are so many things that you can do with an accounting degree in today’s world. Make sure that you take the time to find out what part of accounting drives your passion and pursue that in your career.