Star City 6 – Ryan Lutz
Lutz is an accounting and business solutions firm that’s born and raised in Nebraska. Founded in Omaha in 1980, Lutz recently expanded into Lincoln with the opening of its newest office at 601 P Street in the Haymarket. Ryan Cook is an Audit and Consulting Shareholder at Lutz (www.lutz.us).
Tell us a little about your business.
Lutz started as an accounting firm, but has since grown into a business solutions firm. We provide accounting services such as tax, assurance, business consulting, and outsourced accounting.
Additionally, multiple divisions have been developed to help current and future clients thrive in all aspects of their businesses. These additional service lines include Lutz Tech, Lutz Financial, Lutz Talent and Lutz M&A. Lutz Tech was founded in 2000 and offers a wide array of expertise from managed network and IT services, to custom software and application development. Lutz Financial, founded in 2001, offers financial planning and asset management including individual risk management and retirement plan design and implementation. In 2014, Lutz Talent was created to offer placement services, temporary staffing and talent evaluation focused on the accounting and financial sector. Lutz M&A was established in 2015 to primarily offer seller-side advisory services and assistance with identifying qualified buyers.
The “business solutions” tagline stems from our vision of believing we need to help provide solutions for our clients from the day they start their business to the day they transition or sell their business in the future. We embrace these businesses as our own to spark the right solutions and help them thrive.
How did you get started in the business?
I’ve always had an interest in understanding how businesses operate. It started back in my hometown of Grant, NE working for the family business and helping out with the daily operations. I attended UNL and while in college I accepted an internship with Lutz in the summer of 2006 and after graduation I went full-time with the firm and have been there ever since.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Understanding that all people tick in different ways.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Being afforded the opportunity to open Lutz’s Lincoln office!
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife Katie and I have been married since 2008. Katie is a Physician Assistant with the Nebraska Spine & Pain Center. We are parents to two wonderful children, Keegan (3) and Collins (1).
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
The day I walked out of Physics 141 and switched my major from Pre-Med to Accounting/Finance.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
In my free time I enjoy playing golf and watching other sporting events. I also enjoy spending time with my family traveling.
What are you the most proud of?
My family and watching the kids develop their own personalities.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Nothing good happens after midnight.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Read other people’s minds.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
Professional golfer.
What is your favorite movie?
Bad Boys.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Michael Jordan.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Call (531) 500-2002 (direct line), email rcook@lutz.us, or visit our website at www.lutz.us.