Cooperative Legal and Accounting Directory

Businesses of all kinds work with legal and tax professionals. Cooperatives are no different. Given their unique business structure, finding this technical support can be a challenge. This is why the Rural Grocery Initiative is developing a directory of attorneys and accountants who have experience with – or who are open to working with – cooperative businesses in the state of Kansas.

This directory is intended to help communities and small businesses locate options for legal and tax assistance; it is not intended to be an endorsement or referral of any company.

Development of this directory is ongoing. To be listed in the directory, please complete a brief survey to provide some basic information about your company and the services you provide. If you have any questions, please call 785-532-3828 or email Erica Blair at elblair@ksu.edu.

 

TERESA CASTANIAS, CPA
Ivins, Utah

Locations/Regions Served: United States
Office Phone: 916-761-8686
Office Email: tereecastanias@gmail.com
Areas of Practice: Teresa Castanias has worked with many types of cooperatives over the years, including large and small agricultural marketing and supply cooperatives, wholesale grocery, specialty supply, rural electric, Farm Credit agricultural lending, consumer grocery, and worker cooperatives of various types.
Company Bio: Teree is a CPA and has been working with cooperatives for over 40 years. She retired from KPMG in September 2009 after 32 years where she was a Tax Partner and the firm’s National Director for Cooperatives. She has assisted cooperatives from inception throughout their corporate life. Teree has been active in legislative issues affecting cooperatives, including Section 199 in 2005 and its predecessor provision, Section 199A, in 2017. Teree is active in several cooperative organizations, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives, and the recently Cooperative Professional Guild.
Cost Considerations: For start-up and small co-ops, rates can be flexible
Professional Profile

Dennis "Boog" Highberger, Attorney
HIGHBERGER LAW OFFICE
Lawrence, Kansas

Locations/Regions Served: Kansas
Office Phone: 785-841-3323
Office Email: boog@highbergerananda.com

Susan Whitfield-Harding, Attorney
SUSAN J WHITFIELD HARDING, PA
Lindsborg, Kansas

Locations/Regions Served: Kansas
Office Phone: 785-212-0884
Office Email: susanwhitfieldhardinglaw.sw@gmail.com
Areas of Practice: Serving charities and other nonprofit organizations, artists, and cultural property owners since 1987.
Company Bio: Services for the nonprofit sector range from startup through daily operations and fundraising, including: development of organizational structure suitable for client’s programs; formation and management of nonprofit organizations; preparation of tax-exempt applications; board and/or staff education programs; charitable gift planning research for individuals and organizations; fund raising counsel; contracts; mergers & dissolutions; transactional matters; contracts; letters of opinion; strategic planning and implementation; intellectual property; and operations issues.
Cost Considerations: Reduced cost available in some situations and installment payments.
Professional Profile