Our very own, Dan Semmler, was chosen to be a spotlight partner by BOA Safra Ag. They shared his insightful thoughts regarding Legacy Nutrient Deductions in the below article.
As a CPA with Williams & Company, P.C. in Yankton, South Dakota, Dan Semmler believes that being proactive is one of the greatest ways an advisor can serve their clients. For more than 15 years, he has helped farmers, ranchers, and landowners navigate tax planning, succession planning, and evolving tax legislation, all with the goal of creating long-term value.
That same commitment to thoughtful planning is what led Dan to Legacy Nutrient Deductions™.
A Proactive Mindset
Although Dan didn’t grow up on a farm, agriculture has always been a significant part of his life. Raised in a small South Dakota community, he spent countless hours helping friends on their family farms, developing an appreciation for agriculture and the people who make it possible.
After earning his master’s degree from the University of South Dakota, Dan joined Williams & Company full-time following an internship and has spent the past 15 years serving a client base deeply rooted in agriculture.
“Our firm has a very strong agricultural client base,” Dan explains. “We’re always looking for opportunities that help our clients while also setting us apart through proactive planning and service.”
Building Confidence Through Education
Like many advisors, Dan was initially cautious when he first learned about Legacy Nutrient Deductions™. That changed after a nationally recognized tax expert conducted continuing education for Williams & Company and introduced the firm to Boa Safra Ag’s methodology.
“The recommendation carried a lot of weight with us,” Dan says. “Knowing Boa Safra had been through IRS examinations with no adjustments and seeing the level of detail behind the reports gave us confidence.”
Dan and his team didn’t stop there. They conducted their own research, spoke with other CPA firms across the Midwest, and carefully evaluated the methodology before recommending it to clients.
“I wanted to partner with a reputable company that was doing things the right way,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re protecting both our clients and our firm.”
Creating Opportunities for Clients and the Firm
Since incorporating Legacy Nutrient Deductions™ into conversations with clients, Dan has seen benefits extend well beyond individual tax savings. The service has helped Williams & Company strengthen relationships with existing clients while attracting new ones through referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.
“I’ve had people call after talking with neighbors who had completed a study,” Dan says. “They wanted to know why their accountant wasn’t talking to them about it.”
For Dan, that’s exactly why proactive communication matters.
“The last thing you want is for your client to hear about an opportunity somewhere else and come ask why you never mentioned it.”
His firm regularly reaches out to clients throughout the year—not just during tax season—to discuss planning opportunities, legislative changes, and strategies that may benefit them.
“We’re focused on strategic planning, tax planning, succession planning, and helping clients make informed decisions before year-end.”
A Trusted Partnership
One of the reasons Dan continues recommending Boa Safra is the confidence he has in both the process and the people behind it. Knowing the reports are backed by a defensible methodology and a knowledgeable team gives him confidence when introducing the opportunity to clients.
He also values the responsiveness of the Boa Safra team, noting that questions are answered promptly and reports are delivered with professionalism and attention to detail. That level of service has helped strengthen the partnership and makes it easy for him to confidently refer clients.
Just as importantly, Dan consistently hears positive feedback from the landowners he refers. Clients have shared how impressed they were with the team’s expertise, communication, and overall experience—reinforcing his confidence that they will be well taken care of throughout the engagement.
Advice for Referral Partners
Dan encourages other advisors who may still be evaluating Legacy Nutrient Deductions™ to invest the time to understand the opportunity and work with a trusted partner.
“There are a lot of providers out there,” he says. “For me, the difference is knowing Boa Safra has built its methodology around supporting clients through IRS examinations and providing reports that are designed to meet those expectations.”
Education, he believes, is the key to success.
Looking Ahead
Whether he’s helping a client plan for retirement, evaluating inherited farmland, or introducing them to new tax-saving opportunities, Dan’s focus remains the same: providing proactive advice that helps clients make informed decisions.
His thoughtful approach, commitment to education, and dedication to serving agricultural clients make him a trusted advisor and an outstanding Referral Partner. Through his partnership with Boa Safra Ag, Dan continues helping landowners uncover opportunities while delivering the confidence and credibility they expect from their advisors.