Dark Horse CPAs promotes Chris Papp to principal

Dark Horse CPAs promoted Chris Papp, CPA, to principal after he completed the firm’s Principal Accelerator Program. The move underscores the firm’s push to grow its small-business tax practice while investing in technology, process improvement and internal leadership development.

Why it matters: - The promotion adds a new principal to Dark Horse CPAs as the firm grows its tax practice for small businesses and individuals nationwide. - The move also highlights how the firm is using its Principal Accelerator Program to develop leadership internally. - Papp’s role is set to support clients navigating tax planning, compliance and business development challenges.

What happened: - Dark Horse CPAs promoted Chris Papp, CPA, to principal after he completed the firm’s Principal Accelerator Program. - Papp joined Dark Horse in 2025 as an Accelerator. - The announcement was made June 10, 2026. - Dark Horse CPAs is based in Cardiff by the Sea, California.

The details: - Papp built his practice while handling tax work, prospective client conversations, new technology and business development. - Papp has worked with individual and business clients on complex tax planning and compliance. - His work has focused on helping taxpayers move from uncertainty to clarity. - Papp said he gets satisfaction from helping taxpayers resolve distressed tax situations, pursue ambitions and optimize tax strategies. - Papp said the support behind the Accelerator Program exceeded expectations. - Papp said the firm’s investment in technology, process improvement and internal support shaped his experience. - Papp said the accounting industry is changing quickly as AI reshapes technology choices and best practices. - Dark Horse CPAs provides integrated tax, accounting and CFO services to small businesses and individuals across the U.S. - The firm says it was founded to help small businesses avoid poor accounting and tax services and weaker client experiences. - Dark Horse CPAs says it aims to bring tax strategies and accounting insights previously reserved for larger companies to smaller businesses. - The firm lists more information at darkhorse.cpa. - The company’s LinkedIn page is here.

Between the lines: - The promotion signals that Dark Horse CPAs is rewarding candidates who can combine technical tax work with client service and business development. - CEO and co-founder Chase Birky framed Papp’s advancement as evidence of the discipline and ownership the firm wants in its principals. - The emphasis on technology and self-disruption suggests the firm sees operational adaptation as part of future growth, not just back-office efficiency.

What's next: - Papp plans to keep growing his practice and serve clients with intention in his new principal role. - Dark Horse CPAs is likely to continue using the Accelerator Program as a pipeline for leadership and practice growth. - The firm’s continued technology upgrades and process refinement may shape how it responds to AI-driven changes in accounting.