Education and Aspiration
Wolf Madsen-Forrest works from the comfort of his home office, surrounded by his partner and their two dogs. When he moved to Minnesota from Chicago in 2009, he had no idea what was ahead, but his path has been filled with both education and aspiration.
In Chicago, Wolf Madsen-Forrest was working in accounts payable, however due to the economy at the time, he was unable to find a job in the field after his move to Minnesota. He secured a position working as a caregiver for individuals diagnosed with AIDS during the day and at night, he focused on his studies. In 2013, he earned an Associate’s of Science in accounting with certificates in both payroll and accounts payable/receivable from Minneapolis College.
“I felt extremely supported and connected to the faculty at Minneapolis College and the curriculum is relevant to the work I do every day,” notes Madsen-Forrest who still references the accounting books from his first class at the College. “I also appreciated the flexibility of the program that allowed me to work and go to school with ease.”
Similar to when Madsen-Forrest attended Minneapolis College, the accounting transfer pathway coursework includes the full-cycle of accounting, financial and managerial accounting, spreadsheets for accounting using Excel, and a capstone project. It also includes several Business Management courses. The courses in the program are delivered in the classroom and/or online. The curriculum is designed so students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter with junior-year status.
Madsen-Forrest transferred to Metro State University in the fall of 2013, however, when his father died, he dropped out of school to focus on family. He found a job back in accounts payable and after taking a few years off, he re-enrolled at Metro State in 2018.
Madsen-Forrest completed his Bachelor of Science in accounting and business administration at Metro State in January of 2022 with a GPA of 3.97. He credits the education he received at Minneapolis College for setting him up for success.
He was recently promoted to senior accountant focusing on real estate at Clifton Larson Allen, a firm that delivers integrated wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services to help people succeed professionally and personally.
Madsen-Forrest is focused on his career and he is committed to providing his time and talents to his community. He currently serves as an officer in his Masonic Lodge, a commissioner on the Budget Advisory Commission for the City of Brooklyn Park, and treasurer of the local alumni association of his fraternity, Delta Lamda Phi. He enjoys exercising and spending time with his partner and pups in his spare time.
Once he completes his CPA, Madsen-Forrest aspires to teach at Minneapolis College. “I would like to give back to the community that gave me a solid start,” he said. “What I learned at Minneapolis College prepared me for where I am today.”