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.

Kari is a recognized authority on tax-related issues, having co-authored and edited key publications such as the LGUTEF National Income Tax Text and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Tax Management. She has also provided expert witness testimony on various tax matters and regularly speaks and teaches for organizations like Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and other professional institutions.

Prior to her extensive experience as a CPA, working for an agricultural financial organization and holding leadership roles in several large CPA firms, Kari earned her accounting and finance degree from UW-Platteville and became a licensed CPA in 2002. She also serves on advisory boards, including her current role on the Board of Directors for Sauk Prairie Healthcare, where she chairs the Finance Committee.

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.

She 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!

Kari Apel was nominated for In Business magazine’s 2024 CFO of the Year Award*. Their judges selected her to be celebrated as one of the finalists! This program honors top financial professionals for their role in the growth, vitality, and future of their organizations.

*Created by Greater Madison In Business Magazine, this award (presented on July 11, 2024) honors top financial professionals for their role in the growth, vitality, and future of their organizations. 48 nominees considered, 21 are recognized. It is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor. Go to https://www.ibmadison.com/2024-CEO-of-the-year/ for more information.