Ryan Baxter

Independent Financial Advisory | Quality of Earnings | Lower Middle Market M&A Baxter Strategic Analytics Group LLC is an independent financial advisory firm delivering institutional-grade Quality of Earnings analysis, transaction due diligence, and strategic financial consulting for lower middle market M&A—businesses with enterprise values between $1M and $50M. The firm serves acquisition entrepreneurs, independent sponsors, search fund operators, and business owners navigating the complexities of buying, selling, or recapitalizing closely held businesses. Every engagement is grounded in a disciplined focus on earnings quality—cutting through add-backs, normalization adjustments, and accounting ambiguity to deliver a clear, defensible picture of true business performance. What sets the firm apart is its integration of private wealth management principles into the advisory process. A transaction is rarely just a financial event—it is often the defining moment in a founder's financial life. By incorporating wealth transition frameworks and post-liquidity planning into every engagement, Baxter Strategic Analytics Group bridges the gap between transactional execution and long-term capital stewardship. Rigorous analysis. Sound judgment. Independent advice.

• Engineered SKU-level freight and shipping-path models, generating $600K in new revenue and ~$5M in cost savings. • Automated Power BI financial models to forecast transportation costs, enhancing decision-making for capital allocation. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to convert operational data into actionable financial plans, influencing long-term supply-chain strategies.

During my time as a Staff Accountant at Wipfli LLP, I conducted audits of employee benefit plans and small-to-mid-size businesses to ensure compliance with GAAP and Department of Labor/IRS regulations. I performed control testing and risk assessments across diverse industries, identified process gaps, and recommended actionable improvements. I also prepared detailed audit workpapers and presented findings directly to client leadership, helping them strengthen internal controls and meet regulatory requirements. In collaboration with multi-office and cross-border teams, I streamlined audit workflows to improve turnaround time and reporting accuracy, gaining strong experience in financial compliance, risk management, and cross-functional communication.

• Maintained 100% accuracy of soldiers’ pay records, ensuring timely and error-free disbursement of military pay. • Processed government funds while adhering to federal regulations, safeguarding millions in public resources. • Led a squad of 8 soldiers, fostering professional development and conducting performance reviews to enhance team cohesion. • Directed collaboration with logistics and procurement to align financial processes with mission requirements.

• Prepared and reviewed federal and state tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and corporations, ensuring compliance with tax regulations. • Conducted tax research on complex issues, providing actionable recommendations to senior accountants. • Assisted in financial statement preparation and year-end close activities, enhancing audit readiness. • Collaborated with clients to validate financial data, strengthening relationships and improving accuracy.

• Planned and executed a full year of engaging Accounting Club events focused on professional development and networking. • Collaborated with the Financial Literacy Association and other campus groups to enhance programming and increase attendance. • Managed logistics, budgets, and promotional efforts to ensure seamless and well-attended events.

I led the revitalization of the Financial Literacy Association (FLA), a student-run organization dedicated to improving financial literacy and providing one-on-one peer coaching to UWSP students. When I stepped into leadership, FLA had just 4 members, 1 newsletter, and 2 events due to pandemic disruptions. Through focused outreach, data-driven planning, and close collaboration with UW-Extension, I helped grow the organization to 43 active members, expanded the officer team to 3 leaders, increased programming to 16 campus events, and scaled communications to 12 recurring newsletters. These efforts created a vibrant peer-learning community that empowered students to tackle financial hardships and make informed money decisions. Key achievements: - 10x membership growth (4 → 43) and 8x increase in events (2 → 16) within my tenure. - Designed financial coaching sessions and educational workshops aligned with UW-Extension best practices. - Built a sustainable communications pipeline (12 newsletters) to keep the campus engaged and informed. This experience strengthened my skills in strategic planning, team leadership, and data-driven growth capabilities.

Cashier at KwikTrip Responsibilities: Point-of-Sale Financial Services Inventory Control Custodial Duties Customer Service

Assistant to a Financial Advisor Responsibilities: Scheduling Informing Clients of changes to their portfolios Attending Financial Advising Meetings Sales

Job Shadowed Under a CPA Responsibilities: Organized Tax Returns Scheduling Observed the 1040 Tax return process Custodial Duties