Jim, a proud Havre native, graduated from Havre High School in 1989 and went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a Major in Accounting at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. After graduating in 1993, Jim worked for a short time in Bozeman, but returned to Havre to work at the golf course and started working for Richard K. Scharfe, CPA in January of 1995.  Jim continued to work at both until 1999, when he started his full time employment as a CPA.  Jim worked as an associate until 2006, at which time he bought into the company and became a shareholder.  He became the sole shareholder in 2010 and continued in that role until 2014 at which time Lindsey S. Kellam became a shareholder.  Jim enjoys spending time with his wife Carrie and their three children Lauren, Carlee and Reid.  When he is not coaching or chasing his kids around, you will usually find Jim at the golf course.

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Lindsey grew up on the family farm just south of Chinook, Montana, graduating from Chinook High School in 2001. She continued on to MSU-Bozeman, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business in 2005 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2006. In the fall of 2006, Lindsey joined Scharfe, Kato & Co., PC as a Staff Accountant and earned her CPA License in 2007.  She joined Jim as a Shareholder in 2014. When not at the office she enjoys golfing, skiing (when tax season allows), and spending time with her husband Mike and daughters Kara & Quinne.

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Mark was born and raised in Havre, MT and graduated from Havre High in 1975. He then headed west to Idaho and Washington and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Accounting at Eastern Washington University. Mark started his accounting career with BDO Seidman in their Spokane, Washington office in 1981 and earned his license as a professional accountant in 1982.  He became a Senior Tax Manager and worked for the firm until 1987, when he decided to start his own construction company. He owned and operated Kato Construction Company based in Spokane, Washington from 1987 until 2005.  He came to work at Scharfe, Kato & Co., PC in 2007.

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Savanna grew up in Havre, participating in band and choir in high school.  She attended MSU-Northern for her first year of college, before transferring to Montana State University in Bozeman to obtain her Bachelor’s degree with Highest Honors in Business Accounting.  At MSU she was a member of the Honors College, receiving an Honors Baccalaureate, cum laude and Minor in French.  Savanna started at Scharfe, Kato & Co. in June 2020 as a staff accountant and obtained her CPA license in September of 2021. In her free time, she enjoys making art, playing piano and spending time with her husband Brenden, and son Albie.

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Dawn grew up on the family ranch south of Chinook, Montana graduating from Chinook High School in 2006. She attended MSU-Bozeman where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business in 2010 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2011. She worked in Billings for 3 years at Eide Bailly as a staff auditor/tax preparer, earning her CPA license in 2012. In 2014, she moved to her husband’s family’s farm and ranch in Eastern Montana where she worked as a tax preparer for 8 years at CHMS, P.C in Sidney, MT. She joined Sharfe, Kato & Co., PC in December of 2022. When not at the office or helping on the farm/ranch, she enjoys going to Bobcat games with her husband Jim, golfing, skiing, traveling and spending time with her two daughters Haley and Madison.

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Courtney joined Scharfe, Kato & Co., PC in November of 2014 as a Staff Accountant.  She grew up on the family farm south of Rudyard where she attended and graduated from North Star High School in 2007.  Courtney continued her education at Montana State University-Bozeman, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in business in 2011 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2012.  In her free time, Courtney likes spending time with family and friends, attending Bobcat football games (GO CATS!), and enjoying outdoor activities, which soon will include golf, as required by an unwritten office policy!

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Maria was raised in Havre and graduated from Havre High School in 1989. She continued her education at MSU-Northern earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education in 1994.  Maria joined the staff at Scharfe, Kato & Co. in the fall of 2007 after being a stay at home mother for 11 years.  Maria is married to Travis Borlaug and together they live south of Gildford on the Borlaug family farm with their three children; Alissa, Keevan and Shayla.  On the rare occasion Maria has any down time, she enjoys running, golfing and camping.

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Paula is a lifetime resident of Havre, graduating from Havre High many years ago.  Paula started with the company in 2000 to help with the annual payroll duties.  Many additional tasks were gradually added to payroll duties and Paula became the Office Manager in 2006.  Her leisure time is spent with her husband, Doug, golfing and sometimes skiing.

Carrie was born and raised in Havre, Montana. As the daughter of Richard and Carlene Scharfe and wife of Jim Kato, Carrie is the only staff member privileged to uphold both company names.  She graduated from Havre High School in 1992 (Go Ponies!) and then MSU-Northern in 1997 (Go Lights!) after beginning her college career at the University of Montana (Go Griz!).  Carrie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and previously taught at Havre Public Schools and St. Jude Thaddeus School (Go Niners!).  Carrie began her position at the office in December 2012.  When not at work you will most likely catch she and Jim either enjoying golf or following their three active children; Lauren, Carlee and Reid.

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A native of Havre, Montana, graduated from Havre High School in 2015. He earned a degree in biology from Montana State University-Northern in 2019. After working for the Forest Service for a few summers, he joined Scharfe, Kato & Co. in 2022. Currently, Jase is pursuing an accounting degree at the University of Arkansas. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf in his free time.

Sarah joined Scharfe, Kato & Co., PC in September of 2022. Sarah was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She decided to move to Havre in 2021 to be closer to her sister. Sarah is attending Walden University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She looks forward to working with the Havre community after completing her degree. Sarah was introduced to the Kato family through her sister, and eventually became the administrative assistant here. She has enjoyed all the people she has met in Havre thus far and appreciates the welcome from the community and Scharfe Kato and Co. In Sarah’s free time, she enjoys painting, reading books related to social work, and spending time with friends and family. 

Tara grew up near Dillon, MT where she attended and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1997.  After traveling Montana for a few years, she started her education at the University of Montana-Western.  She finished her education in Havre at MSU-Northern in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Technology.  Her first career opportunity was an Office Manager and Board Secretary for Malta and Dodson Irrigation Districts in Malta, MT.  She transitioned to Havre in 2016 with her husband to seek out new opportunities.  She started her new career path as an Internal Auditor at Independence bank before finding her true passion for public accounting.  In 2019, she graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with her Master of Science in Accounting degree.  Tara joined Scharfe, Kato & Co., PC in November 2023 as a Staff Accountant.  When Tara is not working, she likes to spend time with her husband, family, and friends.  Her favorite hobbies are golfing, reading, creating artwork, sewing, continued education, and much more.

Janna grew up in Havre and graduated in 1996.  In 1999 her husband Frank took a new job. She, her husband, and son spent the next 3 years on the traveling to different states.  Moving to Circle, MT in 2002 and spent the next 11 years there.  In 2013 the decision was made to move back to Havre to raise their 4 children, Brenden, Delleny, Gerald and McKensey, closer to family.  Janna joined Scharfe Kato in 2015 and became a staff accountant in 2016.  In her free time, she enjoys baking and crafting but most of all, spending time with family and grandchildren.

Ryen, a Havre, Montana native, graduated from Havre High School in 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Accounting from Montana State University in Bozeman in 2021. After graduation, she began her career at Independence Bank as a Financial Assistant. In February 2024, Ryen joined Scharfe as a Staff Accountant and is currently planning to pursue her master’s degree in the upcoming year. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Jake and their daughter, Taytum.