David T. Wacht
Fairfield,IA
Summary
Experienced Certified Public Accountant with both public and industry background. Multifaceted, driven and highly motivated professional with extensive tax experience including high net worth individuals, estate, gift and trust taxation. Excellent technical abilities as well as organizational and communication skills. Proven 20+ year track record of managing clients, leadership and developing staff.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director/VP
Fred Swartz & Co. / Tax and Accounting Services, Inc
Fairfield, IA
08.2025 - Current
- Hired to facilitate the sale transition and manage the Firm for off-site investors/owners.
- Accomplishments include the modernization of office hardware and software infrastructure, including implementing a practice management system and cloud migration.
- Also developed a revised office policy and procedure structure.
- Converted paper only system to an electronic file storage system.
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of all Firm activities and personnel.
- Maintained client services throughout the transition including consulting and compliance engagements as well as developing new business.
Tax Director
Graff, Ballauer & Blanski, PC
Northfield, IL
12.2020 - 07.2025
- Responsible for all aspects of the Tax Department – including communicating with clients on tax compliance engagements, consulting projects and responses to tax authority notices.
- In charge of Firm’s tax technology including updates and troubleshooting.
- Hiring, training, and mentoring staff.
- GBB is a full-service CPA Firm specializing in Labor Unions and various other nonprofit entities, as well as high net worth individuals, small to medium size businesses. GBB is a member of the Alliott Global Alliance which has involved the addition of multiple international consulting and compliance clients over the past three years.
Tax Manager
Warady & Davis LLP
Deerfield, IL
06.2016 - 12.2016
- Specialize in tax compliance and consulting with high-net-worth individuals.
- Firm expert in Gift, Estate and Trust taxation.
- Assist with reviews of various tax compliance engagements including partnership and corporate tax returns.
- Go to person in the area of executive compensation planning and Private Foundation consulting and compliance.
Senior Tax Manager
Travis Wolff LLP
Dallas, TX
08.2014 - 09.2015
- Specialize in tax planning, consulting, and compliance for a variety of clients including high net worth individuals, family businesses and owners, doctors and medical practices and company executives.
- Some additional areas of expertise include gifts, estates, and trusts, as well as oil and gas.
- Have proficiency in executive compensation including restricted stock and both ISO and NQ stock options.
- Familiar with tax disclosures and foreign reporting for complex investments.
- Currently serve as mentor for 3 staff members and work with the training group to provide new hires and interns’ initial training.
Chief Financial Officer
Smith Asset Management Co.
Dallas, TX
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Charter member of a $900 million dollar family office.
- Responsible for cash management, performance reporting, income tax and estate planning, and all tax compliance.
- Served on the Investment Committee and performed due diligence on potential investments.
- Involved in the charitable giving planning and implementation for the Family.
- Specific accomplishments include:
- Use of multiple GRAT structures to transfer $200 million of wealth to subsequent generations transfer tax free.
- Planning and implementation of family limited partnerships and a dynasty trust.
- Restructuring the family office to minimize the impact of the alternative minimum tax.
Tax Manager
Henry, Held & Reilly LLP
Richardson, TX
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Responsible for overall tax service on multiple high-wealth individuals.
- Provide US and foreign tax compliance and consulting services for a variety of clients including high-tech, software and service providers.
- Also responsible for tax compliance and planning for company executives and business owners.
- Involved in various IRS and state tax examinations, including several at the appeals level.
Tax Manager
Arthur Andersen LLP
Albuquerque, NM
01.1995 - 01.1999
- Responsibilities included client contact for all tax-exempt and health care entities.
- Planning, supervising and reviewing the work of junior and senior tax associates.
- Principal Senior for all gift and estate tax compliance and consulting work including involvement with estate and family wealth planning projects and presentations.
- Other industry specializations included oil and gas and foreign specialist for various public and private clients.
- Member of the firm's wide gift tax review team and firm contact for oil and gas issues.
Senior Tax Specialist
KPMG LLP
Tulsa, OK
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Preparation of complex individual, partnership and corporate tax returns.
- Specialized in gift and estate compliance as well as oil and gas and other natural resource tax returns.
- Reviewed junior associates work and managed various oil and gas clients.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Syracuse Uniersity
Syracuse, NY05.1991
Associate of Science - Nursing
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL12.2020
Skills
CCH ProSystemfx
Lacerte Tax Software
Karbon/Stanford Tax
CCH, RIA and BNA Research Programs
BNA Tax Planner
Microsoft 365
XCM and GoFileRoom
Various Estate Planning Software
Quickbooks (desktop and online)
Timeline
Managing Director/VP
Fred Swartz & Co. / Tax and Accounting Services, Inc
08.2025 - Current
Tax Director
Graff, Ballauer & Blanski, PC
12.2020 - 07.2025
Tax Manager
Warady & Davis LLP
06.2016 - 12.2016
Senior Tax Manager
Travis Wolff LLP
08.2014 - 09.2015
Chief Financial Officer
Smith Asset Management Co.
01.2006 - 01.2014
Tax Manager
Henry, Held & Reilly LLP
01.2000 - 01.2006
Tax Manager
Arthur Andersen LLP
01.1995 - 01.1999
Senior Tax Specialist
KPMG LLP
01.1993 - 01.1995
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Syracuse Uniersity
Associate of Science - Nursing
Oakton Community College