Ronald P. Hafner, CPA

Audit Partner

Ron Hafner, audit/accounting partner, has more than 27 years of experience serving public and private companies in various industries including manufacturing and distribution, life sciences, software, and financial services. Prior to joining Wipfli, Ron worked at the Financial Accounting Standards Board assisting in the development and implementation of various accounting standards and spent 25 years with a Big Four international accounting firm. Past leadership roles included leading the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), and venture capital practices for the Minnesota Region of the Big Four firm, as well as serving as a subject matter expert on stock-based compensation.

Throughout his career, Ron served as the audit partner on more than 20 publicly traded companies and helped five of them with their initial offering of common stock. Ron has been a frequent lecturer on various topics including mergers and acquisitions, stock-based compensation, and preparing your company to go public.

Currently, Ron is the leader for Wipfli’s Public Company Services (SEC) practice and the Minnesota Region Manufacturing and Distribution practice. He also serves as the partner-in-charge of the audit practice for the Minnesota Region. 

Professional Organizations and Activities

Ron is a member of the SEC Technical Issues Committee, the Public Companies Task Force for PKF North America, the Minnesota Society of CPAs, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is also an active member of Life Science Alley and the Collaborative. Ron currently serves on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest (JAUM). He was honored with the Bronze Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and service to JAUM.