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ABOUT US

Kollath & Associates CPA LLC  
Kollath & Associates, CPA LLC is owned and operated by Mike Kollath, CPA and Karen Kollath, ASA.  Information regarding their background and professional careers follow:
Mike Kollath
Mike Kollath, CPA has experience in both public and private accounting, with an emphasis on big picture thinking and financial analysis while still maintaining the ability to dig into the details.

Education:  graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Minor in Political Science.
Experience:  Mike worked in the field of public accounting for 7 years with Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP and Strohm Ballweg, LLP, gaining experience in a wide variety of industries and disciplines.  Discipline experience includes:

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 Assurance services, including audits, reviews and compilations
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 Tax services, including tax return preparation and review, tax accrual and deferred tax preparation and tax research and planning for businesses and individuals.
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 Consulting services, including business valuations, mergers and acquisition, operational reviews, accounting research and specialized financial analysis.


This experience was gained in a wide variety of industries, including insurance, non-profit, manufacturing, construction, real estate, retail, auto dealerships, service industries and distribution.  At Strohm Ballweg, he progressed to the level of manager before leaving to work in private industry.



In 2000, Mike left public accounting to work with Physicians Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Inc., a mid-size medical malpractice insurance company with approximately $80 million in revenue and equity.  As Assistant Vice President of Finance, he has performed a variety of duties, including:

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 Motivating and monitoring the performance of a 9 person finance and regulatory compliance department, including hiring responsibilities.
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 Managing department costs through expense analysis, maintaining headcount during a rapid growth period, analyzing and streamlining internal financial processes and reducing audit and tax fees through performing more work in-house.
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 Drafting and negotiating contracts.  Implementation of accounting for contracts.
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 Researching accounting and tax issues for parent and 4 subsidiaries.
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 Transitioning the finance function for North Carolina subsidiaries to headquarters.  Coordinated process and ensured accuracy of financial statements despite loss of subsidiary finance employees.
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 Divestiture of two subsidiaries, managing the entire process from marketing to due diligence to negotiation of terms to closing.
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 Coordinating current and deferred income tax planning, research and compliance.
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 Developing corporate forecasting model, including revenue planning and budgeting.
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 Being a member of the senior leadership team, responsible for input into strategic corporate planning.  Also assisted with capital allocation strategies and provided financial consulting to business units, including projections, expense analysis, development of critical success indicators and general financial discussions.
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 Managing banking relationships, including improving cash returns and reducing bank charges.  Approving disbursements for finance and compliance department and reviewing and counter-signing corporate checks exceeding predetermined limit.  Coordinated cash flow planning with investment advisor.
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 Analyzing potential start-up businesses, providing financial scenarios and returns and reviewing business plans.
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 Providing input on internal controls for new operational software.  Also reviewed, analyzed and improved finance department specific controls.
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 Leading transition of Madison finance department functions to Birmingham, Alabama headquartered parent, a publicly traded company. 

Organizations:  Mike is active in the community and in professional organizations.  These include:

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 Membership in the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
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 Membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
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 Treasurer for Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, active in executive committee, construction committee, finance committee and chair of the first annual zoo run committee.


Mike’s variety of experience will provide you with a competitive edge and a different perspective from “typical” accountants.  His ability to combine big picture thinking with the ability to dig into the details is that edge.
Mike Kollath
Karen Kollath, ASA has extensive corporate experience in both life and property and casualty insurance, including actuarial and financial analysis.

Education:  graduated Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Bachelor of Science in Math, Minor in French.
Experience:  Karen worked in a variety of actuarial positions with a large multi-line insurer based in Madison, Wisconsin for 11 years. 

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 Participated on internal audit of joint venture financial reporting of a Fortune 500 insurance company.
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 Involved in reinsurance contract review, negotiations and compliance.
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 Profit and loss forecasting for multiple blocks of insurance business ranging in size from $35M to $500M in premium.
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 Participated in the annual budget cycle including development of department and product line budgets.
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 Participated in review of profitability of multiple blocks of insurance and non-insurance businesses which were used by senior management to determine future expansion or exit from particular blocks of business.  Participation included development and presentation of financial models.
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 Provided actuarial support for deferred acquisition costs and revenue earnings patterns for GAAP financial statements.
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 Responsible for insurance rate filings in all 50 states for $400M in premium.
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 Developed financial tool to analyze success of sales force.
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 Worked with external auditors to provide accounting and other information.
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 Performed reserve reviews for specific lines of business.
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 Able to summarize complex financial models and accounting situations to staff and senior managers alike.

Karen’s critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills make her easy to work with and allow her to get to the heart of the problem quickly and provide solutions.  Her actuarial experience in both property and casualty and life and health insurance product lines gives her a unique perspective.