Alan Balmer is a Certified Public Accountant with over four decades of experience helping individuals and businesses navigate complex tax situations across all 50 states. His career has spanned international accounting firms, small-town entrepreneurship hubs, and decades-long relationships with high-net-worth families — all built on a single conviction: deep expertise, personal attention, and trust that lasts.
In 1984, Alan founded Balmer, Nelson & Van Mersbergen in Fairfield, Iowa. Over 31 years, the firm grew to serve more than 400 clients with a staff of four to five accountants. Fairfield became an unexpected incubator — a small town that drew entrepreneurs from across the country, many relocating with no jobs and no local network. Alan became the CPA these founders turned to, guiding thousands of businesses from formation through growth, including companies that pioneered entire industries: infomercial production and distribution, oil brokerage, sports collectibles, and direct-response retail. Several clients built businesses that went public or sold for nine figures.
For over 20 years, Alan simultaneously served as financial controller for The Art of Living Foundation, a $12 million national non-profit. Rather than a traditional engagement, he integrated his firm's full capabilities — bookkeeping, tax preparation, technical research, and tax-exempt filings — into the organization's operations, providing a level of vertical support that a single in-house hire could not match.
Because his Fairfield clients relocated across the country over the years, Alan learned to navigate the tax codes of all 50 states. He understands the framework of any state's tax structure — the advantages, the pitfalls, and the filing requirements — and can get up to speed quickly on state-specific issues. This nationwide capability is a core part of his practice today.
Alan is particularly known for his work with S-Corporations, helping business owners minimize tax liability through proper structuring. He also specializes in IRS problem resolution — audits, penalty abatements, back taxes, levies — and in obtaining HARPTA exemptions for non-residents selling Hawaii real estate.
Today, Alan operates a solo practice from Argyle, Texas, serving select clients across the country. Every return, every filing, every piece of counsel is handled personally by a CPA with 40 years at the top of the profession — not delegated, not outsourced, not handed off.
