Our Team

PAUL STROM, CPA

Paul is a 1988 graduate of University of Montana, Missoula, Montana and holds Montana CPA #2932.  Paul has over two years auditing with Touche, Ross, and Company, CPA's in Saipan and the Mariana Island area, and has two years as a school business manager.  He is extremely knowledgeable about government entities, governmental accounting and accounting software systems. Paul Strom and Associates has been providing audit services to governmental and not-for-profit entities in Montana and Wyoming since 1990.  Paul's biggest asset is his desire to provide quality governmental auditing to our clients.

JOHNPAUL POELMAN, CPA, MPAc

JohnPaul is a 2007 graduate of Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana and holds Montana CPA license #5935.  JohnPaul graduated with a Masters degree in professional accountancy and obtained his CPA license while auditing and providing financial assistance to not-for-profit and governmental entities in Alaska. JohnPaul then came back to his home State of Montana and has provided auditing and financial assistance services to local governments in the State of Montana since 2010.  JohnPaul has been with us since September of 2014 and is a shareholder.


TOM HAYES, CPA

Tom is a 1988 graduate of the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, Butte, Montana and holds Montana CPA license #4552.  Tom has been auditing and providing accounting assistance to local governments since 1990.  Tom was employed by the State of Montana for 18 years; four as a municipal auditor with the Local Government Services Bureau with the Department of Commerce, six months as a fiscal officer with the Office of Public Instruction, and nearly 14 years as an audit quality control reviewer with the Department of Commerce/Administration. Since August 2008, Tom has been auditing local governments in the State of Montana as an Audit Manager for a private firm.  In August 2013, Tom joined Strom & Associates P.C. and is a shareholder.


CAROLYN SCHAAK

Carolyn Schaak is a 1985 graduate of Montana State University - Billings. Her experience in the hotel and convention business brings much insight into cash receipts and enterprise revenues.  Carolyn has been with our firm since 2007.  Since joining our firm Carolyn has developed experience in governmental accounting & auditing and not-for-profit accounting & auditing and is auditor-in-charge for our firms audit clients. 

LEE MARTIN

Lee is a 2013 graduate of Carroll College and a 2015 graduate of the University of Montana School of Business. Lee joined Strom and Associates in June 2019 after three years of experience with Wipfli LLP in Helena.