Aurora Prairie Tax & Advisory

About Our Founder

Carmen Borgen, CPA, is the founder of Aurora Prairie Tax & Advisory PLLC and a tax professional with over 12 years of experience spanning both public and private accounting. Her well-rounded background allows her to approach complex tax and financial matters with practical insight, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of how decisions impact clients in the real world.

Raised on a local family farm, Carmen learned early the value of hard work, accountability, and doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. Those lessons continue to shape her approach to tax and advisory work today, where integrity, diligence, and follow-through are non-negotiable.

She earned her Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), building a strong technical foundation to complement the practical, real-world perspective she gained growing up in agriculture and working within the accounting industry. Together, these experiences allow her to deliver thoughtful, ethical, and results-driven tax solutions while maintaining a grounded, client-first approach.

Carmen’s expertise includes tax compliance and planning for individuals and businesses of all sizes, with significant experience serving agricultural producers, manufacturers, cooperatives, and high-net-worth individuals. She has worked extensively with multi-entity and multi-state structures, employee benefit and retirement plans, as well as nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations.

In addition to tax planning and preparation, Carmen has a strong background in bookkeeping, payroll reporting, GAAP compliance, financial analysis, and a variety of reporting needs. She has presented financial and tax information to business owners, boards, and other stakeholders, helping clients make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.

Carmen is known for her personable, relationship-focused approach. She believes effective tax planning starts with understanding each client’s goals, challenges, and values—not just their numbers. Her mission is to provide thoughtful, trustworthy, and proactive tax guidance that supports long-term success.

She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Minnesota and North Dakota and a member of AICPA & CIMA, the global association representing accounting and finance professionals. Carmen is actively involved in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network Committee, the North Dakota CPA Society Young Professionals Committee, and serves as a mentor within the BOLD Program. Her professional involvement has also included the Fargo Moorhead CPA Society Chapter, the North Dakota CPA Society Annual Convention Committee, the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives, and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network Leadership Team. She is passionate about professional involvement and creating a workplace that is both enjoyable and accessible to all.

Carmen has volunteered with The Great North Pole, assisting with packaging and transporting gifts for children in need during the holiday season; Hope Blooms, repurposing and crafting flower arrangements to spread joy; the Alzheimer’s Association, participating in fundraising runs; and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, fundraising and completing a two-day bicycle ride from Duluth to St. Paul.

Outside of client work—or more accurately, between calls and emails—Carmen enjoys being an active mother to her kindergartener, making memories at Minnesota lakes, taking quick weekend trips whenever possible, and spending time with family and close friends. She loves games and friendly competition, is always asking “why?” (and sometimes “why not?”), enjoys reading fiction and motivational books, falls asleep to Forensic Files, and takes Pilates classes.