Using accounting to help businesses find success

For St. Cloud State University alumnus David Benusa, accounting is a rewarding way to help others thrive. He was familiar with the University, having grown up in St. Cloud and from his older brother having attended, and decided to see what the Huskies culture was all about for himself.  

One of the first things that stood out to him was SCSU’s accredited accounting program. 

“St. Cloud State University has a great reputation for helping people get through the CPA exam. What we were exposed to — the professors and their tenure in the accounting department — was amazing” Benusa said. 

With a desire to help others and see their businesses thrive, he earned his degree in accounting in 1991 and has been working in the industry ever since.

Having been from the St. Cloud area originally, Benusa’s parents owned a retail store that he worked at while also going to school. 

“Seeing how my parents’ accountants made a difference in the success of their business, I thought that career path would be a rewarding opportunity for me and something I would enjoy,” he said.

Now, with over 35 years of experience in the accounting industry, it’s some of these hometown values that inspired Benusa to stay with regional and more local firms. He is currently managing partner and CEO with CPA firm Froehling Anderson. Originally a Minneapolis-based firm, Froehling Anderson expanded to St. Cloud in 2023, and it’s been a meaningful and full-circle moment for Benusa — bringing business back to where it all began: his roots.

“I find it very rewarding to help businesses discover what success means to them. There's not a right or wrong answer,” he said. “It's taking the time to really dig deep and find out how our clients define success for themselves and then being a resource for them to achieve that definition of success.”

In addition to helping clients succeed, Benusa also enjoys being a mentor to those in the industry. 

“At Froehling Anderson, one of the things I've really enjoyed is mentoring and watching people grow. We have a number of people who started right out of college and have stayed at the firm their entire careers that are now a part of the partner ranks,” he said. “Watching somebody go from an intern to a partner and being part of that process has been very rewarding.”

Froehling Anderson is a multi-location firm with one common goal: share knowledge, collaborate on solutions and nurture success. 

“What I like about this three-pronged approach is that it not only applies to our clients, but to our team at the firm as well,” Benusa said. “We live out our three-pronged approach very tangibly at Froehling, and believe that sharing, collaborating and nurturing are at the heart of our firm culture and the success of each employee, regardless of level.”

Since stepping into managing partner and CEO at Froehling Anderson, Benusa has still maintained a connection with St. Cloud State and its vibrant culture. Having met his wife Kelly while in the accounting club in college, he continues to share the lasting impact the University has had on him with their children; visiting campus, attending hockey games and even teaching corporate tax in 2008 while a professor was on sabbatical. 

“For me, these things were an opportunity to stay connected as well as give back to the University,” he said.

He encouraged those who are looking to pursue a career in accounting or taking the next step in their careers to decide what success means for them. 

“Just like businesses have their own definition of success and what's the right fit, students have the same opportunity,” he said. “That's the key to being successful no matter what you do. Define what success means to you and then be passionate about pursuing that.”

From St. Cloud State alumnus to managing partner and CEO, Benusa is proud of where he has come from and what lies ahead for the future.