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About Us

About Our Firm

Brenner, Averett & Co., P.C. has had it's roots in Sidney since 1949 when Hu Williamson opened his door as the area's first CPA. Although the faces have changed, our commitment to our customers and the community stays the same. We are dedicated to fast, accurate accounting services without forgetting the personal one-on-one contact we and our customers enjoy.

Originally located in a small back office of one of the local attorneys, the housing of the firm has changed over the years. Currently located downtown on the city's main avenue, we offer easy access with plenty of room.

Our Team

Bill Brenner, CPA, Owner

Bill joined the office crew in 1979. After putting in his time, he and Terry purchased the firm in 1992. Bill is a member of all the usual accounting societies but feels listing them would just put you to sleep. He is active in the community as members of boards and part-time league golfer.

Bill is supported at home by his wife, Joanne, and son, Matthew. Joanne's diligent care of yard and home allows them to ramble most weekends. That's not to say he won't have to clean up the mess of a torn down wall some night when he gets home. Joanne's construction background made her the perfect general contractor for our present home. We are often asked about the beautiful wall decorations located throughout the office. Those, too, came from Bill's wife.

Bill's time at the office is spent networking with clients, tax and estate planning, auditing and assisting personnel with their jobs. His personal time is spent with the family, camping, hunting and fishing.

Terry Averett, CPA, Owner

Terry started out his CPA career in Sidney in 1979. When the firm split into two, he stayed with the other guys. He spent three years running their branch office in Watford City. When offered the opportunity to rejoin our firm five years after the split he hurried home to Sidney. Terry and Bill bought the firm of Hu Williamson, P.C. in 1992. As well as the normal accounting societies, Terry is a member of a few local community clubs, serving as board member on some. Although now retired, he was a member of the EMT crew for many years.

Terry's wife, Susana and children, Barbara and Joseph, keep him busy with any time he hasn't already filled with construction projects, fishing/camping/hunting trips and golf games. Terry's extended family is well known in the community and Bob, his dad, helped with the office construction in 1992.

Terry's clients can always be assured of personal service. He's often to be found at the office early (before the birds are awake) and enjoys the new toy on his desk. He's really jumping into the computer generation! His specialties include auditing, tax and accounting. But he'd rather be golfing or fishing.

Travis Gerten, CPA

Travis joined the firm in the summer of 2012. He graduated from the University of Montana with bachelor's degrees in both accounting and finance. He passed his CPA exam in 2014. Although not born or raised in the area, he is getting to know the community and its people. He has joined several local nonprofit boards and enjoys helping out in the community.

When not working, you can find Travis out with his son Silas, daughter Echo and wife Martha either hunting, fishing or otherwise enjoying outdoor activities.

Andrea Zelinsky, CPA

Andrea joined the firm in January, 2019. She moved to the Sidney area in 2000 and originally hails from the Dickinson, ND area. Andrea earned a B.S. Agriculture from North Dakota State University and is a diehard Bison fan (a point of contention in an office full of Bobcats and Griz). GO BISON!!! She has also earned a B.S. Accounting, Business Administration, & Finance from Dickinson State University as well as an M.S. Management from Minot State University. Her prior experience includes medical insurance billing in the healthcare industry and being a commercial loan assistant/analyst in the banking industry. In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her significant other, Darwin. She also enjoys photography, hunting, fishing, and going for drives.

Amy Knight, Accountant

Amy started with the firm in June, 2012. She graduated in May, 2012, from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, with a bachelor's degree in business administration. She is originally from Geraldine, Montana.

If Amy isn't at work, you can probably find her reading a book.

Brady Johnson, Accountant

Brady joined the firm during the 2023 tax season. He graduated from Montana State University Billings with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. He was born and raised here in Sidney.

When not working, you can find Brady either at the golf course or hanging out with family.

Amanda Bartels, Receptionist

Amanda started at the firm in June of 2012. She has worked in customer service for about eight years. Born in Williston, ND, raised and schooled in Fairview, she is very familiar with the community.

When not at work she is usually working at home being mommy. With any spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with family at BBQs, hunting, fishing and swimming.

Dawn Bahls, Payroll Clerk / Bookkeeper

Dawn joined the firm in 2014 as an administrative assistant. She grew up in Sidney, but lived in Jamestown, ND for 8 years, returning in October of 2007 with her two boys. Dawn earned her associate degree in accounting from Colorado Technical University. Her prior experience includes five years of accounting help at another firm in town and a year working in the insurance industry. In her free time, Dawn enjoys time with her husband and family at the lake, reading and spending as much time as possible with her two grandchildren. She does payrolls and bookkeeping along with tax return prep and entry.

Jessica Buxbaum, Payroll Clerk / Bookkeeper

Jessica joined the firm in August of 2022.

Part-time Personnel

Marilyn Partin, who started in 1991, comes in weekly to handle the client's accounts receivable program. We generally rope her into running errands and popping in on heavy traffic days to help us out. She'd rather be outside in the sun.

Linda Gorde has been with us since 2010. Her main job is data entry, but she has served her time at the receptionist desk, too. She has taken the job of tax return entry in stride and has handled the Simplex for many years. Her favorite pass-time is spending time with her family.