May 9, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Austin Ridl, tax manager at Eide Bailly LLP.

Name: Austin Ridl

Age: 29

Hometown: Sioux Falls

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Family. My parents moved to Sioux Falls when I was 4. Prior to that, I lived in Omaha.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Family, community, schooling and work. In my opinion, I don’t think you can find a better community to raise a family. The community gives back in a great way, like seeing thousands of Sioux Falls residents come out early on a Saturday in May each year to support cancer patients and survivors in the Avera Race Against Cancer, just right down the street from my house. Sioux Falls also provides growth and opportunities not many cities its size provide, be it entertainment, career opportunities or schooling.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Being a part of so many different companies and success stories in the community. Helping companies grow and achieve their goals. I really enjoy the close working relationships I develop with clients and learning how to best help them achieve their unique goals. I get to work every day with a large variety of businesses, from startups to long-established business, small family businesses to multimillion-dollar companies. Additionally, Eide Bailly has a great structure to help develop professionals within our organization; I have many great mentors within the organization as well as many brilliant mentees and colleagues.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I was influenced to be a CPA since I was little, following in my mother’s footsteps, who has been a CPA in the Sioux Falls community since 1999. The many nights completing my own school work at her office while she was working long hours during tax season made me admire her dedication and passion towards her client and instilled the same values in me. Since I was young, I have always had an analytical mind, and numbers and finance have just came easy to me.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Welcoming. Inspiring. Flexible.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I am a certified scuba diver. I got certified in college. The University of Minnesota offered a class that provided most of the training, which I finished shortly after graduating. I have dove in Lake Superior, Hawaii and in the Dominican. Once I had kids, my scuba diving adventures have slowed without many nearby opportunities and limited time, but I see this being a hobby I pick back up with more regularity in the future.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I started serving on the board of the Helpline Center two years ago, and I would say this is one of the most rewarding experiences. As treasurer of the board, I can use my professional skills and expertise while providing oversight and direction to the organization. The best part is getting an inside view of the work done through the Helpline Center that is vital to the health of our community, and I want to recognize the heroic work these individuals do each day.

Other than this, I would say attending group volunteering and fundraising events. Through Eide Bailly, we take one day each year, Community Day, to close down the office, get out into the community and give back while building some work camaraderie as well.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

 It used to be Chick-fil-A, but now that we have that, Cheesecake Factory. You can’t go wrong with a good cheesecake.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

My wife and I were just discussing an indoor playground for younger kids. Especially during the winter months, it can be difficult to keep the kids active and burn off that unlimited energy they all have. There are similar businesses in the surrounding area; however, we felt like there was still more necessity within Sioux Falls.