Kari A. Apel

Kari Apel, CPA is the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Taxation with Midwest Financial Group. Before merging her firm with MFG in 2022, she was the President and CEO of Apel Associates, which she founded in 2008.  During her time of business ownership she won several awards including Small Business of the Year for the Sauk Prairie Area as well as the Outstanding Alumni Award from her Alma Mater UW-Platteville.  As an authority on tax-related issues, Kari has co-authored and edited numerous publications, including the LGUTEF National Income Tax Text and the US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Tax Management. She has also been an expert witness on many tax matters along with speaking and teaching for various organizations including Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, University of WI – Platteville and many other professional organizations.   Kari was a CPA for an ag-based financial organization for many years, in addition to holding management positions at several larger CPA firms. Kari attended UW-Platteville and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, with an economics minor earning her CPA license in 2002.

Kari has served on several advisory boards over the years with her most current post being on the Board of Directors with Sauk Prairie Healthcare chairing the Finance Committee as well.

Kari has a passion for educating clients and helping them understand the complexities of navigating finances, taxation, IRS regulation, and other fiscally related areas. It’s never just “black and white” when it comes to these areas, and planning is pivotal to success. However, her true goal is to be a consultative partner for all her clients, wanting to be the “Personal CFO” for their family or business.

Kari will be the first to tell you that growing up on a farm played a profound role in shaping who she is—both personally and professionally: “Children today don't usually see their parents literally ‘at work’ every day the way I did. It was such a great model. I can actually remember sitting in my playpen and watching my mom do chores. As I got older I joined in that work. I also sat at the kitchen table and listened to the talk that revolved around running a farm effectively. Before I even finished high school, I already knew a lot about business. I also learned that if you want anything in life, you have to earn it. That’s my motto to this day.”

Kari's husband and three daughters share her love of all things outdoors, from farming to a variety of sports. If you can't find Kari at the office, you’ll most likely find her at a sporting event or outside at their small farm tending to the gardens and animals. Finally, here’s a little known fact about Kari: she has nine lives and is down to 7, ask her about it sometime!