It all began when…

After years at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as the Tax Credit Program Director, Bill Richey recognized the deficiencies of many providers regarding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program.   The lack of screening resulting in state denials was baffling.   So, Bill left the DWD on January 2, 2002 knowing he could recover more tax credits than his competitors.  On January 3rd of that year he founded AKT Business Services and presented AKT’s first proposal to a major Wisconsin business.  By the end of the month, 4 business were enrolled in the WOTC program.  Like any great business, AKT was started with one computer and one phone in a spare bedroom.   In 2005 Vicky Richey, Bill Richey’s wife, left her position of Vice President of Human Resources at a major corporation to join AKT.  Up until this point Vicky had been helping Bill in the evenings and on weekends but their client numbers had grown to the point where Bill could no longer handle the volume on his own.  

The next year was a pivotal moment for AKT  because of a legislative hiatus, the future looked murky, but new clients continued to enroll.  Andy Barnes, Vicky’s son, joined part time, while in college, to help with the volume.  At the same time two franchise branches were established and new clients added to those locations.  In 2011 Andy Barnes was asked to join AKT as Operations Manager and Senior Accountant.  Since then AKT Business Services continues to grow and develop always staying true to its mission: providing the most Work Opportunity Tax Credits they possibly can for each client.  Not only does AKT have the best interest of their clients but also their own employees and the community, like any good business should.  AKT participates in the Lake Mills High School Youth Apprenticeship Program.  The goal is to offer youth real world business experience and give them a leg up in the ever competitive job market.  

Senior Staff

Owner

Bill Richey

Bill Richey is owner and CEO of AKT Business Services.  Former State Director of Tax Credit Programs with the State of Wisconsin Department of Labor.  Bill earned his Bachelor Degree in Economics from St. Norbert College and his Master’s Degree in Economics with an emphasis in Labor.  Bill also attended United States Military Academy at West Point and served six years in the Army Reserve and seventeen years in the Coast Guard Reserve.  Bill is a lifelong sailor and enjoys sailing his Hans Christian on the waters of Lake Michigan.  Also, he enjoys snow and water skiing and scuba diving.  Bill loves his dogs and they frequently accompany him to his office.  Bill resides in Lake Mills and is a partner in business with his wife, Vicky.  They enjoy spending time with their adult children and grandchildren.

Education

University of Wisconsin, Madison
M.A. Labor Economics, 1980

St. Norbert
B.A. Economics , 1969

President

Andrew Barnes

Andy started with AKT Business Services in 2003 while still in college at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.  After graduation he took a teaching position in Business Education.  In 2011 AKT had grown so much that Andy decided to join the family business and became Operations Manager and a Senior Accountant.  Since then he has worked hard to develop and grow the business to what it is today.  Outside of work Andy enjoys spending time with his wife and two beautiful children.  They enjoy summer weekends in Northern Wisconsin boating and wake boarding.  

Education

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, WHITEWATER
B.A. Business Education, 2003

DALE CARNEGIE TRAINING
Management Training, 2013