Member News

CironeFriedberg, LLP welcomed Dylan Walker as a Supervisor managing audit and assurance and client accounting service engagements for business and individual clients. Walker started his accounting career with global accounting firm PwC developing cash flow models utilizing detailed analytics to assess risk for clients. Prior to joining our Firm, he directed client accounting and advisory services for business clients throughout Fairfield County in Connecticut. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Walker holds a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He serves as President & Founder of the Scott T. Walker Foundation. Tony Cirone, CironeFriedberg’s managing partner, says “We extend a warm welcome to Dylan and are confident that he will make an immediate impact to enhance our client service as well as being a key contributor to our growing firm.” CironeFriedberg is a leading regional CPA firm serving middle market, closely held and family-owned businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and not-for-profit organizations in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, in Connecticut, and the neighboring New York counties of Duchess, Putnam, and Westchester. The firm provides a full range of tax, audit and accounting, and business advisory services from three offices in Bethel, Shelton and Stamford Connecticut. Learn more at https://cironefriedberg.com.

The Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) is warning business owners about pop-up companies offering incorrect and misleading information regarding claiming the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). These third parties may be charging exorbitant fees, claiming to be able to pay employers the credit up-front, or providing incorrect filing deadlines, eligibility requirements, or credit computation information.

When there are vacancies on the State Board of Accountancy, the CTCPA is asked to recommend individuals to the governor for his consideration. We're delighted to announce that Stacy Farber has been appointed to the State Board of Accountancy.

Chelagat Misiko, CPA, MBA dove into the CPA Exam evolution.

Paul N. Iannone, CPA, J.D., MST, and Danny A. Pannese, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, CSEP, MST, both associate professors in the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, wrote the Tax Advisor magazine cover story: 10 good reasons why LLCs should not elect to be S corporations.

The CTCPA hosts Interview Day each fall, bringing top accounting students together with hiring companies for a day of interviews. Interview Day 2022 was our biggest event yet, with 28 companies interviewing 48 students for a total of 225 individual interviews in one day. Thank you to all who participated!

When there are vacancies on the State Board of Accountancy, the CTCPA is asked to nominate potential candidates to the governor for his consideration. We are delighted to announce that a CTCPA member was recently appointed to this important board.

When CTCPA member Destiny Hartmann says that the organization has changed her career trajectory, she’s not exaggerating. As a junior at Eastern Connecticut State University, Destiny volunteered to contact local CPA firms to try to get firms to come to the Eastern career fairs and talk with students.

This year, the CTCPA added a number of new staff to the team, including Professional Development Coordinator Kendalynn Morales and Accounting Associate Aileen Taveres.

We asked two of our team members to share their families and histories with us.

By Timothy P. Hedley, PhD, CPA, CFF, CFE, Executive in Residence – Fordham University, CTCPA Chair-elect, and ESG Committee Chair

By Jim Norton, CPA, Principal – GRF CPAs & Advisors and CTCPA Advisory Council Chair

Earlier the summer, William Alvarez was appointed as an executive member to the Latino Corporate Directors Association. Who better to chat with during Hispanic Heritage Month?

A number of firms with CTCPA members were named to INSIDE Public Accounting’s annual list of “Best of the Best Firms.” Congratulations to: • Aprio, LLP • CohnReznick LLP • Whittlesey PC (the only Connecticut-based firm on the list) • WithumSmith+Brown, P.C.

Knight Rolleri Sheppard CPAS, LLP has changed to Rolleri & Sheppard CPAS, LLP. The firm remains located at 2150 Post Road 5th Floor in Fairfield.

CohnReznick recently announced several Connecticut promotions, including the following CTCPA members:

Burzenski & Company, P.C. announced three recent promotions...

Laura K. Caiafa of Caiafa & Company, LLC Hamden was recently quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, “What to Know About the Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, and How to Get More Money Back.”

Erica Czajkowski, Managing Director at Deloitte & Touche LLP, and Katherine Donovan, Assurance Manager at Whittlesey P.C., were both named to the Hartford Business Journal's 2022 '40 Under 40.'

Philip DeCaprio, Jr. was awarded the Thomas R. Porter Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. This honor is awarded annually to the NACVA member who has demonstrated exemplary character, leadership, and professional achievements to NACVA and the industry.

Jeffrey W. Bliss, CPA was a named a Partner at Burzenski & Company. He is currently the Director of Veterinary Services at the firm.

Crowe LLP in Hartford announces two promotions.

The BORGIDA CARES! Team participated in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Daffodil Days and sold luminarias, homemade paper lanterns – decorated with the names of loved ones. Each Luminaria is in honor or remembrance of a life touched by cancer, accompanied by a moment of silence for those lost. The team also held a “Toast for a Cure” fundraising event at a local brewery, Labyrinth Brewing Company in Manchester, CT. Pictures from the events can be found on the Borgida & Company website.

This spring, 27 Connecticut residents graduated from the 2022 Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy, a program designed to strengthen leadership skills, develop and build relationships, and create a collaborative professional services community. This landmark program brings together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, including accounting and finance, law, insurance and architecture.

By CTCPA Advisory Council Chair Jim Norton, CPA, GRF CPAs & Advisors

By CTCPA Chair Michael Maksymiw Jr., CPA, Aprio Firm Foundation

This spring, 27 Connecticut residents graduated from the 2022 class of the Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy, a program designed to strengthen leadership skills, develop and build relationships, and create a collaborative professional services community. This landmark program brings together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, including accounting and finance, law, insurance and architecture.

William (“Bill”) Alvarez, Jr., was recently appointed as an Executive Member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.

Ryan C. Sheppard, CPA, CFF was named a Fairfield Man of Influence in the June issue of Fairfield Lifestyle.

Over 90 Whittlesey team members across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts celebrated Community Day, an annual day of service representing the firm’s year-round commitment to giving back to local communities. For the past twelve years, hundreds of Whittlesey volunteers have put aside their daily work to partake in various projects ranging from painting classrooms to building homes.

The Accounting Scholarship Foundation of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) presented more than $45,000 in scholarships at the CTCPA Recognition Reception held recently at the Wallingford Country Club.

The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) honored Susan A. Martinelli, CPA of Southington with the 2022 Jack Brooks Leadership Award recently at the CTCPA Annual Meeting.

The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) has elected and installed its Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 activity year.

Stephen Pedneault, Founder/Owner of Forensic Accounting Services, LLC in Manchester, was honored as the MSA Professor of the Year by the UConn School of Business Accounting Department. Steve has won the award, which is voted on by the students, three times.

The YMCA of Greater Hartford announced Edward F. Bader as the recipient of this year’s Robert C. Knox Jr., YMCA Distinguished Leadership Award on April 21 at the association’s annual meeting. The award is the highest tribute the YMCA pays to its volunteer leaders who exemplify the ideas of the YMCA and their dedication to preserving the responsibilities and opportunities the Y has to offer.

CTCPA Executive Director and CEO Bonnie Stewart was named to the Hartford Business Journal's 2022 "Top 25 Women in Business" list.

Harper & Whitfield is fortunate to have Becky join the leadership team and continue as an integral part of its forward-thinking and success for years to come. The firm recognizes the dedication and hard work that Becky has consistently demonstrated, while providing excellent client service, managing the completion of numerous important internal administrative projects, and serving as a go-to resource throughout the firm.