Dark Horse CPAs Welcomes Chris Papp to Its Principal Accelerator Program
Dark Horse CPAs, a leading accounting and tax firm dedicated to serving small businesses and individuals across the nation, is thrilled to announce the hiring of Chris Papp, CPA, as a member of its exclusive Principal Accelerator Program. Chris’s extensive background in tax compliance, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, makes him an ideal fit for this innovative initiative aimed at supporting CPAs in building scalable practices while avoiding the pitfalls typically associated with establishing a new firm.
About Chris Papp
Chris Papp, who holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and an active CPA license in Colorado, has a robust track record of working with both individual and business clients. His professional journey has equipped him with the skills needed for complex tax planning and compliance, while fueling his desire to create a firm of his own. However, the daunting nature of launching his own practice often felt overwhelming. Upon discovering Dark Horse, he realized that the firm provides a unique pathway to achieving his entrepreneurial ambitions without the usual barriers.
“I had thought about starting my own practice for years, but the infrastructure and lift required always made it feel out of reach,” Papp shared. “Dark Horse bridges that gap. It removes the biggest obstacles and empowers you to move from idea to reality—with the right support behind you.”
Chris is also enthusiastic about the collaborative culture at Dark Horse, which contrasts with traditional accounting firms. He appreciates the firm’s approach to addressing diverse accounting needs beyond just tax preparation.
A Proactive Approach to Client Tax Needs
In his role, Chris emphasizes the importance of proactive tax planning for individuals. He believes that waiting for major life events to optimize tax strategies can often lead to missed opportunities.
“Once a major life event has happened, it’s often too late to optimize for taxes after the fact. I want my clients to be prepared ahead of time—sometimes that’s the difference between missing an opportunity and realizing their goals sooner than they thought,” he explained.
Chris’s commitment to providing valuable insights and support is expected to enhance the experiences of his clients significantly, allowing them to meet their financial goals with greater ease.
The Dark Horse Principal Accelerator Program
The Principal Accelerator Program is tailored for CPAs who possess an entrepreneurial mindset and aim to create a thriving book of business without the traditional challenges associated with starting a firm from scratch. Dark Horse offers extensive resources and support, including proprietary technology, flexible staffing solutions, and industry-leading systems, empowering CPAs to focus on their roles as trusted advisors to clients.
Accelerators undergo comprehensive training to familiarize themselves with the firm's technologies and sales strategies, followed by individual coaching. Upon completion of training, they begin to cultivate their own clientele with full-time and fractional support from other professionals within the firm. This collaborative effort ensures that Accelerators are equipped to offer high-quality, strategic services to clients.
After successfully completing the program, participants have the opportunity to advance to equity positions within Dark Horse, further encouraging retention and long-term growth.
A Bright Future with Dark Horse
Chris Papp embodies the ideals that the Dark Horse Principal Accelerator Program seeks to promote. The firm’s CEO, Chase Birky, remarked,
“Chris brings the ideal combination of empathy, experience, and entrepreneurial fire. He knows how to build trust and deliver value, and he’s exactly the kind of professional we created the Accelerator Program to support.”
With Chris on board, Dark Horse CPAs continues to enhance its commitment to empowering small businesses with innovative accounting solutions that transcend traditional practices. Interested CPAs can learn more about the program on Dark Horse's recruiting website or reach out directly for inquiries.
About Dark Horse CPAs
Founded with a mission to revolutionize accounting and tax services for small businesses and their owners, Dark Horse CPAs champions an advocacy role that ensures small businesses receive high-quality financial advice that is typically reserved for larger organizations. The firm aims to provide integrated tax, accounting, and CFO services that empower small businesses nationwide. For more information, visit
darkhorse.cpa.