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• October 2007 Issue
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From the Oct. 2007 Issue

A conversation between Greg LaFollette and Jerry Topp from Eide Bailly about the use of technology in tax and accounting firms

Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP

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Jerry Topp

Jerry Topp is a former high school teacher, a 25+ year public accounting practitioner, and, above all, a leader and a motivator. He heads a powerhouse firm headquartered in, of all places, Fargo, N.D. I met up with Jerry as he was in Sioux Falls, S.D. announcing the acquisition of yet another firm there — this one adding over $5 million in revenue, 45 professionals and swelling the Eide Bailly ranks in Sioux Falls to an astonishing nearly 200 people.

Editor’s note: In the spirit of full disclosure, please note that I am one of those 200. I office with Eide Bailly so I can continue to experience the joys of practicing public accounting. I just LOVE the smell of tax returns in the spring! ~ Greg LaFollette

Greg LaFollette: You have a lot of zeros to talk about — $100,000,000 in revenue, 1,000 staff members, and 100 partners. That’s very impressive. Tell me a little more about Eide Bailly and the markets you serve.

Jerry Topp: Eide Bailly LLP is a regional firm that operates primarily in the Great Plains and rocky mountain regions of the United States. This encompasses 13 offices in eight states — Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Arizona and Oklahoma.

Greg LaFollette: You’re quite disciplined geographically. What’s your strategy?