Who We Are: The Team

CEO and founder of Cassell Plan Audits, JoAnn brings 30 years of public accounting experience, including 20+ years specializing in qualified plan audits. Her memberships and affiliations include:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and member of its Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center.

Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), member of its Employee Benefit Task Force and Employee Benefit Plan Conferences Planning Committee.

American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) with a designation of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA). Previously served as the Trustee of its Benefits Council, Chicago (ABC), and as President and VP of the Membership Committee.

JoAnn lives in St. Charles with her family. When not in the office, she travels, runs marathons, and spends time on the water.

Kim earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Madonna University in 2005. Then, after working as a corporate financial consultant for four years, she returned to school to focus on accounting and earned a second degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Baker College in 2012.

Before joining Cassell Plan Audits in 2021 as an auditor, Kim worked in corporate accounting for nearly a decade, acquiring a broad range of financial skills and accounting experience, including auditing employee benefit plans. Throughout her career, her goal has been to help employers achieve successful growth. At Cassell Plan Audits, she brings her advanced accounting skills to audits of financial statements and works directly with clients during the auditing process, helping to ensure their needs are met.

Kim lives in Plymouth, Michigan, with her husband and two sons. Outside work, she enjoys yoga, traveling, and cooking—specializing in authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Jennifer holds a master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a registered CPA in Illinois. She joined Cassell Plan Audits in 2014 with 3+ years of public accounting experience specializing in qualified plan audits. She is passionate about working with clients to find creative and workable solutions to compliance issues.

Jennifer lives in Bloomington with her husband and enjoys reading, playing cards, and exploring new places.

Anne received her bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Elmhurst College and is a registered CPA in Illinois. She brings 20+ years of experience as an auditor, accountant, and tax professional in public accounting, working with corporations and nonprofits in many industries to assist with budgets, cash flow, forecasting, and audits. She is certified by the American Institute of CPAs in Intermediate Employee Benefit Plans Audit and Advanced Defined Contribution Plans Audit.

A long-time advocate for clients throughout Illinois, she specializes in audits of qualified plans. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, two boys, a dog, and a cat.

Kaisa brings 15+ years of cross-industry experience in accounting, audits, and internal controls. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. After 5+ years as a senior auditor for a public accounting firm, she moved over into internal auditing and corporate accounting for 10+ years at a publicly traded company and multiple manufacturers.

Kaisa returned to public accounting with Cassell Plan Audits in 2019. She is passionate about getting her clients across the country the support they need. They, in turn, appreciate her approachable and easygoing nature. 

Kaisa is currently preparing to sit for the CPA exam. When she’s not studying, she knits, reads, and cares for her husband, kids, and a veritable ZOO of household pets.

Jen earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She brings 25+ years of experience as an auditor and quality control specialist working across diverse industries, as well as a manager and trainer to other auditors.

An expert in accounting and audit standards, Jen has a passion and a real knack for the technical research required to resolve the most complex regulatory and financial issues. As an auditor at Cassell Plan Audits, she looks forward to concentrating on this area of her expertise.

Jen lives in the Greater Chicago Area with her partner and two sons.

Bringing over 15 years of experience in Employee Benefit Plan audits, Erica is a dedicated and detail-oriented CPA. She has managed and led teams through hundreds of complex audits, ensuring compliance and accuracy—but her favorite part of her work is building trust and warm, long-term relationships with her clients.

Before joining Cassell Plan Audits, Erica was a Manager at Caron & Bletzer, overseeing 40+ audits annually. Prior to that, she spent 15 years at Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., where she played a key role in expanding the firm’s client base and improving audit efficiencies. Her expertise includes 401(k), 403(b), ESOP, Cash Balance, and 11-k audits, along with regulatory compliance and internal controls.

An honors graduate of Western Virginia University, Erica is passionate about her work, a self-professed employee benefits plan nerd. Outside of work, Erica is an outdoorsy person who loves nature, camping, skiing, and other outdoor activities. She also has a household full of love, having been involved in animal adoption services, foster care, and adoption.