About Us
We work with individuals and business owners who need practical accounting, tax, and IRS-related support from people who understand how these issues actually develop and get resolved.
As former IRS agents, we bring experience from both sides of the table and help clients move forward with greater clarity, organization, and confidence.
How We Work With Clients
We understand that most people reach out because something feels unclear, behind, disorganized, or stressful.
Our approach is focused on helping clients understand where things stand, what matters most, and what steps make sense moving forward.
Rather than overwhelming clients with technical language or unnecessary complexity, we focus on practical guidance, clear communication, and helping people move forward with confidence.
Daniel Nowakowski, CPA, MBA
Dan is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Illinois and co-founder of Nowakowski & Conner. Before co-founding the firm, Dan spent 15 years with the Internal Revenue Service, serving as an Internal Revenue Agent, Lead Internal Revenue Agent, and later as a Management and Program Analyst overseeing examination operations across ten states within the Small Business/Self-Employed Division.
During his time at the IRS, Dan worked on complex civil audits, financial investigations, income reconstruction analyses, and cases involving unreported income, hidden assets, and financial fraud. Today, he works with individuals and business owners on tax, accounting, forensic, and IRS-related matters that require practical guidance, organization, and careful analysis.
Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA in Financial Fraud Management from St. Xavier University.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on the Chicago White Sox, and playing golf, even though he’s still working on his swing.
Ardella Conner, EA, MST
Ardella is co-founder of Nowakowski & Conner and brings nearly two decades of experience across public accounting, corporate tax departments, and the Internal Revenue Service. Her background includes work in public accounting, Fortune 500 corporate tax departments, and nine years with the IRS, where she served as a Revenue Agent, Lead Revenue Agent, and Supervisory Internal Revenue Agent within both the Small Business & Self-Employed and Large Business & International divisions.
Throughout her career, Ardella has worked on complex tax issues involving individuals and businesses, including audits, financial analysis, tax compliance, and fraud-related matters. Today, she works closely with clients to provide practical guidance, improve financial organization, and help individuals and business owners navigate tax and accounting issues with greater clarity and confidence.
Ardella holds a Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Western Michigan University.
Outside of work, Ardella enjoys attending Chicago Bulls games with her family, playing board games, and traveling - especially to warm beach destinations.
Why Clients Choose to Work With Us
Practical
Guidance
We focus on helping clients understand what matters and what steps make the most sense moving forward.
Former IRS Experience
Our background gives us firsthand experience with how tax and financial issues are reviewed, identified, and resolved.
Long-Term Support
Many clients continue working with us beyond an initial project for ongoing accounting, planning, and advisory support.