Award-Winning Accounting & Payroll Services

Q: What awards has CSI received?

CSI has received multiple industry awards and recognitions for innovation, transparency, customer service, and leadership. The page highlights the most recent awards and recognitions.

Q: How can I verify CSI's recognitions?

Many of CSI's awards can be verified through independent third-party sources including Clutch, Expertise.com, ThreeBestRated, and award issuers such as IMPACT.

Q: Why has CSI received these awards?

Award organizations often consider factors such as reputation, customer reviews, transparency, innovation, customer experience, and industry leadership.

Q: Why do these awards matter?

Awards help demonstrate the quality of CSI's work, commitment to clients, transparency, and industry recognition from respected third-party organizations.

CSI Accounting & Payroll has proudly provided accounting, tax, payroll, and advisory services to small businesses for 60 years.

Over that time, our company and leadership has been recognized more than 100 times from review platforms, professional associations, and business communities for innovation, transparency, and dedication to client success.

These awards reflect our values of customer service and leadership in the accounting and payroll industry. We’ve included links to the issuing organizations and public listings for verification.

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Company Awards & Recognitions

Endless Customers: Purposeful Humanity Award, 2026

Awarded by IMPACT to companies that "keep people at the center—on purpose... in a time when automation, AI, and scale often pull brands away from real connection." CSI earned this award for sharing our story of how a testimonial video (featuring a friendship between long-time clients and their Account Manager, Burt) influenced a prospective client to come on board... but only if they could work with Burt. [View listing]

Clutch Top Company Awards, 2026

Clutch has recognized CSI with 26 awards in 2026 for consistently delivering high-quality services across various industries (entertainment, utilities, retail, medical) and cities (Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick, Washington DC). CSI was also granted 63 Top Company awards in 2025 and more in years prior. [View Clutch profile]

These featured awards highlight our national and statewide credibility:

Expertise.com Recognition, 2026

Recognized as one of the Best Accountants serving Edina, Minnesota in 2026. CSI has received this recognition for many prior years as well. It shows how our service quality stands out among our Twin Cities competitors. [View listing]

ThreeBestRated.com Recognition, 2025

Ranked among the Top 3 Accounting Firms in Minneapolis in 2025. CSI has received this recognition every year since 2016. This, too, highlights how the quality of our services stands out in the Minneapolis, MN, area. [View listing]

Endless Customers: Frictionless Selling Award, 2025

Awarded by IMPACT to companies that “reimagine sales around the customer.” CSI earned this award for building an online pricing tool in an industry where competitors often claim estimating is “too complicated” to automate. Prospects benefit from transparency, and it helps us gain trust from the beginning. [View listing]

CSI was also featured in IMPACT's 2025 book, Endless Customers, for our dedication to transparency on our website. It highlights how our educational approach helped us grow by attracting clients who were the right fit. This recognition shows that we never force a sale. Instead, we focus on building partnerships where both sides succeed.

PASBA Accounting Firm of the Year, 2013

Granted only once per firm, this PASBA award recognizes CSI for demonstrating leadership in:

Service: Exceptional client care and support.
Innovation: Implementing new and effective approaches to accounting.
Impact: Making a significant positive difference in the success of small businesses.

CSI has been a proud Professional Association of Small Business Accountants (PASBA) member since 2007.

Leadership Recognitions: Brian Paulson, Owner of CSI

PASBA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018: Granted only once in a lifetime, this award honors Brian Paulson for his exceptional leadership and lasting impact on small business accounting.

BP PASBA Board 2012-2016 Edit (300 x 300 px)

PASBA Board Service, 2012-2016: Presented to Brian Paulson in recognition of his years of dedicated service on PASBA's national board.

CSI World's Best Boss Award, 2018: Presented internally to Brian Paulson, this award highlights his leadership, support, sense of humor, and dedication to inspiring his team.

CSI Owner of the Year Award, 2023: Awarded by the MD staff after being acquired by CSI, the team was so impressed with Paulson's leadership that they created this award to honor him.

CSI's Certifications

In our industry, certifications are at an individual level. Here's what our team has as of May 2026:

QuickBooks ProAdvisor: Charlie & Tyler currently have a certification.
Xero Advisor: Charlie, Rob, Bodi, Tyler, & Jon are currently certified.
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC): Currently held by Emma.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA): Sam holds this certification.
Enrolled Agent (EA): The rest of our Account Managers have this.

Frequently asked questions

Awards & Recognitions FAQs

What awards has CSI received?

How can I verify CSI's recognitions?

Why has CSI received these awards?

Why do these awards matter?

Respected Locally. Celebrated Nationally.

Work with an award-winning firm recognized for service, innovation, and leadership. Contact us to get see if CSI Accounting & Payroll is right for you!

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