Mike Pocrnich

About Mike Pocrnich

Mike Pocrnich is an American accounting professional with over two decades of experience in non-profit accounting, auditing, and financial analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Pocrnich began his career as a Senior Auditor at CliftonLarsonAllen, where he managed non-profit audits, developed internal controls, trained junior staff, and presented financial reports to organizational leadership.

In his subsequent role as Controller at Beltz, Kes, Darling & Associates (now BerganKDV), Pocrnich led annual audits and facilitated client financial assistance. His responsibilities included overseeing financial compliance, accounts payable, and payroll, demonstrating his commitment to financial accuracy and strategic leadership.

In 2013, Pocrnich founded the Anton Group, a St. Paul-based accounting firm. Under his leadership, the firm grew to represent one in five Minnesota charter schools, generating annual revenue of $3 million by 2021. One of the firm’s largest clients was Noble Academy, a Brooklyn Park charter school that provides instruction in Hmong language and culture.

Currently, Pocrnich serves as Finance Manager at Element Financial Advisory, providing CFO and Controller services to a diverse portfolio of clients, including government and non-profit organizations. His expertise extends to financial forecasting, state and federal grant administration, and the implementation of robust internal controls. Known for his proficiency in various ERP and CRM software, including the Microsoft suite, Pocrnich emphasizes the importance of technology in enhancing financial processes.

Pocrnich advocates for strong internal controls, highlighting principles such as segregation of duties, well-documented policies and procedures, stringent access controls, ongoing monitoring, and proactive management oversight. He also provides guidance on obtaining recognized accounting certifications, including CPA, CFA, CFE, CIA, CMA, CGMA, EA, and FSAC.

In addition to his professional work, Pocrnich is committed to volunteering, having supported organizations like the Animal Humane Society and immigrant families. His approach to financial management, particularly in the non-profit sector, emphasizes flexibility, foresight, and accuracy, aiming to ensure financial stability and mission effectiveness for the organizations he serves.