Ann Etter
Teacher turned CPA
May 29, 2025
It is said that history is written by the winners. Well, here’s a winning story still unfolding that comes with a few surprise twists, including a career change to accounting.
Ann Etter started her career teaching after earning a master’s degree in education, then spent time fundraising before becoming a CPA at 33. Though she knew since graduate school she was interested in accounting — after filing her own taxes for the first time during that period — it took another eight years before she did the necessary coursework to start that chapter of her life.
And, for this history major, she’s weaved quite the tale herself that’s worthy of study.
Finding the fit
The daughter of a small-business owner, Etter knew her accounting interest was largely in the area of tax and helping Main Street businesses and middle-class people.
She took a large-firm internship at the insistence of her MBA program leaders at the University of St. Thomas, gaining experience in international taxes, business and personal tax work. Etter spent two more years at the firm following the internship.
“When it was time to move to the smaller firm I always wanted, I took a one-year position covering a maternity leave and then busy season help, with no promise of continued employment,” she said. “Now my name is on that door and I am the majority shareholder.”
Goodney & Etter, PA, is located in the heart of downtown Northfield, serving a wide variety of clients, including college professors and international students.
“I love that I am supporting the backbone of the economy — small businesses that keep our small towns alive, nonprofits that provide education, arts, assistance and culture, individuals who work hard and want to know that their CPA has their backs,” Etter said. “When I see a business or nonprofit thriving, when my individual clients tell me that can finally relax about their taxes, then I know that our firm is making a difference.”
Sharing the knowledge
Owing to her educational and altruistic spirit, Etter, along with her CPA experience, continues to find ways to teach others and influence the accounting industry.
Etter has been a key contributor to the MNCPA Media Spokesperson program, helping journalists in print, TV, radio and the web throughout Minnesota and afar explain complex tax topics to their audiences.
“I firmly believe that people should know about the things that affect their money and lives. Taxes are a large part of this,” she said. “If I can explain something so that more people understand how it works and are able to use the knowledge to better manage their financial lives, then I have succeeded.”
In 2022, she was appointed to the Minnesota Board of Accounting by Gov. Tim Walz.
“Board work has been central to my life since I was in my 20s,” Etter said. “I grew up with an ethic of volunteerism, watching both my parents volunteer. When the opportunity presented itself, I decided I was in a good spot in life to apply. It has been rewarding work.”
History major with a concentration in Medieval studies turned CPA — sounds like a compelling story of which anyone can write their own version.
Etter credits her CPA credential for opening many doors; she knows it does for so many others, too, regardless if they want to work for a large multi-national firm, open their own practice or help guide one business into the future.
“While many people think of accounting as a stressful career full of billable hours, there are opportunities everywhere to tailor your individual career to the amount of stress and hours you want,” she said. “From flexible individual work schedules to entire firms that focus on practical work/life balance, there are opportunities everywhere to practice in your area of expertise with your desired levels of work, family and play.”
Now that’s a lesson worth repeating.
Topics: Member Profiles
Corey Butler
Corey Butler is the MNCPA communications manager, working to enhance the professional reputations of members through content, media relations and public affairs. He's been with the MNCPA since 2013. Corey keeps busy outside of the MNCPA spending time with his wife and children, serving on his local school board, volunteering in his community and catching up on long-lost hobbies. Corey enjoys the works of John Steinbeck and Rankin/Bass Productions, and Paul Bunyan, Robin Hood and Santa Claus lore. You may reach him at 952-885-5530 or cbutler@mncpa.org.
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