For Courtney Watts, an internship at Kruggel Lawton CPAs turned into 13 years of opportunities to help grow the company. Now, that humble start will turn into becoming a partner at the firm.
The promotion becomes official on Jan. 1, 2026, but she has been preparing for this moment since she started Convergence Coaching’s Transformational Leadership Program earlier this year.
Partner Patrick Lee also played a part in her success.
“Courtney’s commitment to excellent client service, integrity and innovation has made her ascent to partner seamless,” said Lee in a press release. “She has brought strong leadership skills and insight to our fiduciary tax services team, as well as the entire firm. I am very excited for her to join the partnership and help guide Kruggel Lawton into the future!”
It only took Watts five years to become a manager after her internship in 2012. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion that same year. There she earned Bachelors of Science in both accounting and finance in four years.
Since becoming manager, Watts found her passion working with clients on trusts and estates, along with those with a higher net worth.
“(Watts) has been integral in the growth and development of our fiduciary tax services,” said Managing Partner Barry Hall, who also is a CPA at the South Bend-based firm. “Her commitment to serving clients and developing staff is top-notch and her admission as a partner is well deserved. Courtney will bring an incredible perspective to our strategy discussions shaping the future of KL.”
Watts also has been a member of the internal KLimb to 2030 team, which connects managers with the firm's partners. Now she will transition from manager to partner.
“Since my internship with the firm, I’ve been able to witness and be a part of the incredible growth of KL over the past 13 years,” Watts said. “It has been a fun and exciting journey to be on, and I’m looking forward to actively playing a part in the continued growth of the firm while serving our clients and communities.”
Watts is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and both the Michiana and Elkhart County Estate Planning Councils. She also is a board member of the Elkhart Boys and Girls Club and is the Elkhart Unit Board Treasurer. Watts served on the INCPAS Emerging Leaders Alliance from 2013 to 2016 and was named an Emerging Leader in 2018.
Kruggel Lawton CPAs has offices in South Bend, Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana; St. Joseph and Portage, Michigan; and Knoxville, Tennessee.
