Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Certified Public Accountants in Bayside, WI
Established in 1955, Kohler and Franklin has grown from a sole proprietorship into a respected accounting firm serving individuals, businesses, and legal professionals across Wisconsin. Our team of certified public accountants and attorneys brings decades of combined experience in financial reporting, tax compliance, and litigation support. We specialize in preparing financial statements that meet AICPA standards, ensuring accurate tax filings for diverse entities including corporations, trusts, and non-profits. Our expertise extends to payroll tax compliance for businesses and household employers, elder care financial planning, and forensic accounting services for legal cases. With professionals who have testified in multiple Wisconsin counties and federal courts, we provide authoritative analysis for litigation matters.Our commitment to personalized service ensures clients receive tailored solutions whether managing monthly accounting needs or complex tax disputes. As members of both the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, we maintain the highest professional standards. Our approach combines technical precision with practical guidance to help clients navigate financial challenges efficiently. From small business payroll to estate tax filings, we deliver comprehensive accounting services rooted in local expertise and national best practices. This dedication to excellence has sustained our reputation as a trusted advisor in Milwaukee's North Shore community for over six decades.
Services
Financial Statements
Income Tax Preparation
Payroll Services
Litigation Support
Elder Care Planning
Details
- Year established: 1955
Highlights and features
- We offer 65+ years of combined experience in accounting and legal matters
- Our team includes CPAs with legal expertise in litigation support
- We provide tailored solutions for household employer tax compliance
- Our professionals have testified in Wisconsin circuit and federal courts
- We maintain membership in top national and state accounting organizations
Associations and certifications
- Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Services
Financial Statements
We prepare financial statements including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Our reports meet AICPA standards for accuracy and compliance. Businesses use these documents for tax filings, financial transactions, and valuation engagements.
Income Tax Preparation
We handle federal and state tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates, and non-profits. Our services include Form 1040, 1120, 1041, and 990 preparation. We also represent clients during tax audits.
Payroll Services
We ensure proper payroll tax registration and compliance for businesses and household employers. Our services cover wage calculations, tax payments, and form filings for nannies, housekeepers, and business employees.
Litigation Support
Our CPAs provide expert testimony and financial analysis for legal cases. We assist attorneys with family law matters, civil litigation, and white-collar crime cases in Wisconsin circuit courts and federal proceedings.
Elder Care Planning
We help families manage financial aspects of elder care. Our services include tax planning for caregivers, benefit maximization, and financial organization for aging individuals and their families.
People
Julius N. Kohler
Founder
Founded the firm in 1955 after working with the federal government. Earned his accounting degree from Marquette University while managing a family grocery store during the Great Depression.
David M. Franklin
CPA, J.D.
Joined the firm in 1970, bringing legal expertise to accounting services. Has testified in multiple Wisconsin counties and contributed to the firm's litigation support capabilities.
Scott B. Franklin
CPA, J.D.
Provides legal and accounting expertise with extensive court experience. Testified in Wisconsin circuit courts and federal bankruptcy proceedings, expanding the firm's forensic accounting services.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for small businesses?
We provide financial statement preparation, payroll tax compliance, and income tax filing services for small businesses, including corporation and partnership returns.
Do you handle household employer tax requirements?
Yes, we assist with tax registration, wage calculations, and compliance filings for household employers including nanny and caregiver tax obligations.
Can you help with estate and trust tax filings?
We prepare Form 1041 for estate and trust income taxes, along with Form 706 for estate tax filings and Form 5500 for retirement plan reporting.
Do you provide litigation support services?
Our CPAs offer forensic accounting and expert testimony for family law cases, civil litigation, and white-collar crime matters in Wisconsin courts.
What experience do you have with tax audits?
We represent clients during IRS and state tax audits, including correspondence, office, and field examinations, and can petition the U.S. Tax Court if needed.
How do you handle payroll processing for businesses?
We help businesses establish proper payroll systems, calculate employee wages, manage tax withholdings, and complete all required federal and state filings.
