About Us

Labenz & Associates LLC - people and experience you can trust:

The goal in organizing Labenz & Associates was simple - to deliver comprehensive solutions-based tax, accounting and consulting services by having the knowledge and experience to make this goal a reality. We are accomplishing this goal by:

  • Combining the strengths of traditional tax and accounting services with long-term vision.
  • Being recognized as leaders in providing service to our clients.
  • Knowing our clients and committing to a long-term relationship.
  • Ensuring timely receipt of excellent service.

  • Professionals at Labenz & Associates are encouraged to be proactive and approach their work with a hands-on attitude. They have dedicated themselves to seeing that our clients receive consistently outstanding service.

    Our people ...

    "We are proud of our people ... and we are proud of our ability to provide prompt and responsive assistance to our clients and to coordinate our resources to meet our clients' needs and reporting timetables."

    Our Team

    Janet M. Labenz, Partner

    jlabenz@labenz.com (402) 437-8384

    Jan Labenz began her career in public accounting in 1975 and has worked extensively in the areas of individual taxation, banking, trust services and closely-held companies. Her experience includes assistance with tax planning, acquisitions, reorganizations, employee benefits and estate planning.

    Jan is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a Masters of Science degree. In 1997, she was honored with an induction into the University?s School of Accountancy Hall of Fame. Jan has served as a course instructor for the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, KPMG LLP national training courses and the Bank Administration Institute-Wisconsin School of Banking. She has also been a speaker at seminars sponsored by the Nebraska Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association and various other professional and civic organizations.

    In addition, Jan received an Accreditation in Business Valuation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1999 and was Certified in Financial Forensics by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2008.

    Jan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants. Jan?s current and previous community activities include board positions with the Lincoln Community Foundation, Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, YWCA, Lincoln Symphony Foundation, American Red Cross, BryanLGH Health Systems, Inc. Board of Trustees and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Accountancy Advisory Board.

    Ronald K. Jester, Partner

    rjester@labenz.com (402) 437-8385

    Ron began his public accounting career in 1985 and focuses his efforts on personal and business taxation with a specialization in agriculture, real estate, banking, closely-held businesses and state taxation. Ron?s business and banking experience includes mergers and acquisitions, regulatory consulting and compliance services.

    Ron holds a Master's of Professional Accountancy (MPA) degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and, in addition, has received the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.

    Ron has served as president of the Nebraska Chapter and treasurer of the North Central Regional Council of the Institute of Management Accountants and on the Board of Directors of Isco, Inc. He previously served on the Board of the Groundwater Foundation and on the Board of Trustees of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Accountancy. He currently serves on the board of the St. Paul United Methodist Church Foundation. Ron is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

    Kristian H. Rutford, Partner

    krutford@labenz.com (402) 437-8393

    Kris began his career in public accounting in 1981 and has worked in the areas of personal and business taxation, with a specialization in banking, closely-held businesses and trust services. Kris joined Labenz & Associates in January 2006. His prior experience with an international accounting firm provides a wide-breadth of experience with tax compliance and consulting services.

    Kris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master's of Professional Accountancy (MPA) degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was a member of Leadership Lincoln Class VI. Kris received his Accreditation in Business Valuation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2009.

    Kris currently serves as the past president for the Food Bank of Lincoln and is a Board member of the Nebraska Sports Council. He has been active in the community as a member of Lincoln Rotary Club #14 and has served as president of the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County and the Family Service Association. Kris is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Lincoln Estate Planning Council.

    Richard J. Labenz, Partner

    rlabenz@labenz.com (402) 437-8397

    Rich Labenz joined Labenz & Associates in 2010. He began his accounting career in 1978 following graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Rich specializes in corporate taxation and has assisted clients in a number of different industries, including financial services, trucking, manufacturing, insurance and agricultural-related businesses. His experience encompasses all phases of U.S. and international tax planning, with a significant emphasis in financial reporting, including FAS 109 and FIN 48.

    Rich's prior experience with an international accounting firm included providing a broad range of tax services, including compliance planning and representation before the Internal Revenue Service. He also advised clients on many transactions, both on the buy and sell side, including tax due diligence and tax structuring advice.

    Rich currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nebraska Foundation and on the Advisory Board to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Accountancy. In addition, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

    Kirk D. Hovendick, Partner

    khovendick@labenz.com (402) 437-8398

    Kirk Hovendick began his public accounting career in 1983 and specializes in tax compliance and consulting for individuals, financial institutions, S corporations, transportation companies and other privately-held clients. He joined Labenz & Associates in 2010. Kirk?s experience with an international accounting firm included tax return compliance, strategic planning, representation before taxing authorities, state taxation and consultation on regulatory issues.

    Kirk's professional and industry experience enables him to provide a broad range of tax services to Labenz & Associates? clients, including both tax compliance and tax planning, tax provision support and representation before the Internal Revenue Service. In the past, he has advised clients on many transactions, including tax due diligence and providing tax structuring advice.

    Kirk received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Nebraska. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

    Kirk?s current and previous community activities include board positions with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Accountancy Advisory Board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes State Board, Nebraska Trucker?s Association Accounting and Finance Council, Nebraska Alpha Alumni Association for the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Lincoln Sports Promotion Council and the Business Team for his church. In addition, Kirk is on the Board for the Adams Bank & Trust and has been active in the Boys Scouts of America.

    Vonita L. Wood

    vwood@labenz.com (402) 437-8386

    Vonnie Wood is a senior manager providing tax consulting and compliance services to Labenz & Associates clients. She specializes in business, individual and fiduciary taxation, as well as not-for profit organizations.

    Vonnie began her career in public accounting in 1981 following graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting and a minor in mathematics.

    In addition to her membership in the Lincoln Estate Planning Council, Vonnie is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

    Pamela S. Sheets

    psheets@labenz.com (402) 437-8392

    Pam Sheets is a senior manager with Labenz and Associates providing accounting and tax services to clients of the firm. She joined Labenz & Associates in 1999.

    Pam attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. She is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

    Pam's areas of specialization include individual and fiduciary tax return and consulting services.

    James A. Warren

    jwarren@labenz.com (402) 437-8390

    Jamie Warren is a manager with Labenz & Associates and joined the firm in December 1999 as a tax season intern. He began full-time employment in August of 2003. Jamie attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in May 2000. Following graduation, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in May 2003. Jamie received his Accreditation in Business Valuation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in May 2008.

    Jamie is a member of the Board of Directors of the Cornhusker Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Business Executive Roundable Group hosted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska State Bar Association.

    Kristin K. Carlson

    kcarlson@labenz.com (402) 437-8346

    Kristin Carlson began her accounting career in 2007 with an international accounting firm. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Kristin joined Labenz & Associates in 2010. Her experience includes tax compliance, multi-state taxation and the preparation of financial statements.

    Kristin is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

    Anthony J. Faris

    tfaris@labenz.com (402) 437-8381

    Tony Faris is an associate with Labenz & Associates. He graduated in August 2009 from Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting.

    Tony joined Labenz & Associates in January 2007 as a tax season intern. He subsequently joined the firm as a full-time employee in April 2009.

    Debra K. Kisker

    dkisker@labenz.com (402) 437-8389

    Deb Kisker joined Labenz & Associates early in 1999 after a career with the Internal Revenue Service in both Lincoln and Grand Island. As a tax auditor for the IRS, Deb examined various Federal individual income tax returns, provided assistance in the Taxpayer Service Division and instructed continuing education courses for peers within the IRS.

    Deb graduated in 1987 with a B.S. degree in Business Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

    Deb provides Labenz & Associates' clients with tax return preparation and consulting services. Deb is a senior associate of the firm.

    Susan E. Lewis

    slewis@labenz.com (402) 437-8391

    Susan joined Labenz & Associates in January 2007 as an associate with the firm.

    Susan attended Cook Community College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in May of 1987.

    Julie A. Roehrs

    jroehrs@labenz.com (402) 437-8388

    Julie began her career in public accounting in 1978 following graduation from the Lincoln School of Commerce. She joined Labenz & Associates at its inception in October 1998 as a senior associate of the firm.

    Julie provides Labenz & Associates? clients with tax return preparation and general accounting services, as well as client bookkeeping and payroll services. In addition, she often assists clients with QuickBooks software installation, set-up and support services.

    Lesley J. Turek

    lturek@labenz.com (402) 437-8347

    Lesley Turek began her accounting career in 2008 as a tax intern for an international accounting firm. She joined Labenz & Associates in 2010 following graduation from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Her experience includes preparation of Federal and state income tax returns and assistance with financial statements.

    • Labenz and Associates, LLC
    • 4535 Normal Boulevard
    • Suite 195
    • Lincoln, NE 68506
    • Telephone: (402) 437-8383
    • Fax: (402) 437-8399

    Client Login

    Sign Up for Our Newsletter