A Nashville CPA You Can Actually Talk To

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Wendy Wessel, CPA

615-673-4160

wendywessel@darkhorse.cpa

TITLE

Principal

HOMETOWN

Nashville, TN

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

18

EDUCATION

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

— Wayne Gretzky

Being raised on the family farm in rural Michigan, Wendy discovered early on that bailing hay in the summer heat, day after day, was about the worst thing she could imagine doing with her life. She planted a seed of a different kind when she worked for her aunt in high school, typing up tax returns that her aunt prepared by hand. That seed would begin to germinate when she helped a friend start a small business, handling the bookkeeping for the company.

So, she went back to school and earned her Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northwood University. After college, she took a job at a small town firm where she learned how to prepare tax returns without the assistance of software, an unfamiliar and unfathomable concept to millennials and subsequent generations. She then went on to work for a larger firm and a boutique firm both in Nashville, where she developed extensive experience in tax compliance, tax planning and advisory services for businesses and high net worth individuals. She also currently serves on the Federal Tax Committee for TSCPA.

Outside her professional endeavors, Wendy loves following her favorite sports teams. In fact, her and her husband are season ticket holders for both the Nashville Predators and Nashville SC. She also loves exploring her city, especially the myriad live music options Nashville has to offer. Wendy is pure rock-n-roll.

Specialties

High-Net Worth Individuals

Closely Held Businesses

Industries

Real Estate

Medical Practices

Legal

Tax & Accounting Advisory from your Nashville CPA

Nashville’s booming economy makes Music City a top destination for entrepreneurs and creatives. Whether you are scaling a business in Davidson County or managing personal wealth, your dedicated Nashville CPA, Wendy Wessel, provides the high-level expertise required to thrive in this fast-paced market.

As a Dark Horse Principal, Wendy delivers proactive tax strategy and accounting advisory tailored to Middle Tennessee businesses. She offers more than simple compliance by focusing on long-term growth and financial clarity. Partner with a trusted advisor invested in your success across the Nashville region.

Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for Nashville Businesses

The Problem: Many Nashville business owners fly blind without timely, accurate financial data. Operating in a fast-paced market like Davidson County without clear numbers creates unnecessary risk for your company.

Even worse, missing proactive tax planning leaves significant money on the table. In a city powered by Music City innovation, stagnant financial insight eventually stalls your ability to scale.

The Solution: At Dark Horse CPAs, we combine bookkeeping, tax compliance, and proactive tax strategy. We deliver the financial clarity needed to scale your business across the Middle Tennessee region.

From managing federal requirements to Tennessee Franchise & Excise Taxes, we focus on reducing liability. Our Advisory-First approach ensures you make tax-smart, growth-focused decisions all year long.

Solutions for Businesses

WENDY WESSEL, PRINCIPAL

"My clients deserve more than once-a-year tax prep. I take an advisory-first approach—digging into your numbers, spotting risks and opportunities, and building a strategy so every decision supports growth instead of surprise tax bills."

Tax Strategy & Compliance for Nashville Locals

The Problem: Many residents in Music City don’t realize the true cost of taxes until they file their return. Whether it is an unexpected balance due or the realization that you missed critical opportunities to save, the sting of a reactive approach is real. Navigating complex Tennessee state rules alongside federal mandates can quickly become overwhelming for families across Davidson County without the right strategic guidance.

The Solution: At Dark Horse CPAs, we live by a No Surprises philosophy to keep you ahead of the game. We work proactively with individuals across Middle Tennessee to minimize liability through forward-looking strategies. From multi-state filings and retirement planning to real estate tax strategy and wealth preservation, every engagement includes personalized planning with your CPA so you are always prepared, never reactive.

Tax & Wealth Advisory for Individuals

WENDY WESSEL, PRINCIPAL

“There are many ways to educate and strategize with clients on tax liabilities, it all starts with a conversation. Meeting with each client throughout the year is critical to provide the proactive tax guidance I believe makes the biggest impact. That is why I love working at Dark Horse where planning comes first and is a requirement of every engagement from the onset."

Nancy R.

I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.

Kyle T.

With our prior accountant we didn't feel we were receiving adequate tax guidance and felt we were always paying more than our fair share of taxes. We have been very pleased with the service we have received with Adam Ripperdan. He has taken the time to review in detail our current situation and upcoming plans. With that information he has helped us create tax strategies for our businesses, investments, and personal taxes that not only help us save on taxes but also helps us plan for the future. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs.

Joe Coombs

At Unbridled Advisory, we value partnerships that demonstrate technical expertise, proactive problem-solving, and a client-first mindset. Working with Teddy Mizerak, CPA of Dark Horse CPAs has exemplified all of these traits and more.

Teddy's deep knowledge of financial structures and tax strategies has been instrumental in driving success for our mutual clients. His ability to navigate complex scenarios with precision while offering clear and actionable insights sets him apart in the field. What truly stands out is his collaborative approach—he takes the time to understand the unique needs of each business, ensuring solutions are both effective and tailored.

Teddy's professionalism and responsiveness have made him an invaluable resource. Whether it's tackling intricate tax planning, addressing compliance challenges, or identifying opportunities for optimization, Teddy consistently delivers exceptional results.We highly recommend Teddy Mizerak to any organization seeking a CPA who goes beyond the numbers, bringing both strategic vision and exceptional execution to the table. It’s been a privilege to work alongside him, and we look forward to continued collaboration.

Patrick W.

I was referred to Max by a friend who is also a small business owner. I was definitely in need of direction when it came to my finances. After speaking with Max I was able to understand how I can be efficient in the accounting side of my business and he and his team is there to guide me every step of the way. I'm now confident I have the right team watching my books I highly recommend Max and Dark Horse CPAs.

Dave Risha

Craig Trimble at Dark Horse CPAs has been remarkable. His knowledge of the tax laws, his ability to ask questions that I never considered has saved my family and I thousands of dollars over the past three years. I used to use Turbo Tax and the first year I switched, I save over $20,000 over what my Turbo Tax amount worked out to be. That is a remarkable return for the small fee I was charged. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs. If you are using a software program to do your business and personal taxes, this year, try both and see for yourself.

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