Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted CPA Firm in Syracuse, NY | Dermody Burke & Brown
Dermody Burke & Brown has served businesses and individuals in Central New York since 1956, establishing itself as one of the region's largest locally owned CPA firms. Our team of over 85 professionals operates from four offices in Syracuse, Auburn, New Hartford, and Rome, combining technical expertise with personalized service. We specialize in auditing, accounting, taxation, and niche services like retirement plan administration, custom accounting solutions, and forensic accounting.Our mission centers on empowering clients and employees to 'live well' through innovative solutions delivered in a community-minded environment. As members of the AICPA and NYSSCPA, we maintain rigorous quality controls through triennial peer reviews, all while leveraging global resources through our Allinial Global affiliation to deliver local service with international capabilities.
Services
Auditing and Accounting
Business Taxation
Business Valuations
Custom Accounting Solutions
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Family Business Services
Information Technology Services
Litigation Support
QuickBooks
Trusts & Estates
Details
- Year established: 1956
Highlights and features
- We offer over 65 years of experience serving Central New York businesses
- Our team includes specialists in employee benefit plan audits and tax compliance
- We leverage global resources through our Allinial Global affiliation
- Our firm maintains AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center membership
- We combine local expertise with international technical support capabilities
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)
What people say
Proactive advice
Understand complexity
Consistency we need
Invaluable support
Trusted advisors
Services
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Our specialized team performs over 50 employee benefit plan audits annually, covering 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, and health welfare plans. We implement full-scope and limited-scope audits compliant with ERISA and DOL regulations while preparing required Form 5500 filings. Our professionals maintain ongoing education through AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center participation to ensure compliance with evolving standards.
Custom Accounting Solutions
We deliver scalable outsourced accounting services ranging from basic bookkeeping to complete CFO-level support. Our cloud-based solutions provide real-time financial data access while reducing in-house costs. Services include payroll processing, inventory management, cash flow analysis, and custom reporting tools tailored to businesses' specific operational needs across multiple industries.
Business Taxation
Our tax experts provide comprehensive compliance and planning services for businesses across formation, expansion, and succession phases. We specialize in multi-state taxation, international tax compliance, and industry-specific challenges for manufacturing, healthcare, and not-for-profit organizations. Our team maintains continuous education on evolving tax codes to minimize liabilities while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Trusts & Estates Services
We offer specialized fiduciary accounting and tax services for trusts, estates, guardianships, and testamentary trusts. Our team handles complex estate tax return preparation, gift tax compliance, and administration advisory services. With professionals holding Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) and Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) credentials, we provide strategic planning to maximize deductions and ensure regulatory compliance.
Auditing and Accounting
We provide risk-based audit, review, and compilation services tailored to clients' specific needs. Our approach focuses on identifying high-risk areas and implementing customized audit programs while maintaining compliance with professional standards. The firm undergoes independent technical reviews to ensure quality control and has developed specialized expertise in governmental and not-for-profit audits requiring additional training.
People
Carolyn Sturick
Chief Executive Officer
With over 30 years in accounting, Carolyn leads strategic growth while maintaining personal client relationships. She emphasizes firm culture and client success through her leadership on the Quality Assurance Committee and decade-long role as Chief Operating Officer.
Lori Ciarla
Principal
Specializing in not-for-profit and employee benefit plan audits for 25+ years, Lori leads the firm's Employee Benefit Plan Audit Practice and Affordable Housing Audit Practice while actively participating in professional recruitment initiatives.
Shannon Nelson
Member
With 30+ years of experience, Shannon leads the Audit and Accounting division and specializes in fraud prevention as a Certified Fraud Examiner. She integrates technology solutions through her Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) expertise.
David Corey Jr.
Principal
Leading the tax department across four offices, David specializes in agribusiness and family-owned businesses. He advises on tax compliance, business succession, and operations with over 20 years of experience at the firm.
Tammy Reyes
Principal
With 26+ years in taxation, Tammy leads the tax technical department specializing in trusts, estates, and high-net-worth individuals. She holds multiple certifications including Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for small businesses?
We provide outsourced accounting solutions ranging from basic bookkeeping to complete CFO services, including cloud-based software integration and customized financial reporting tools.
Do you specialize in any particular industries?
We have specialized expertise in manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profits, employee benefit plans, and family-owned businesses through dedicated practice groups.
How do you ensure audit quality?
Our audits undergo independent technical reviews, and we maintain AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center membership with ongoing staff training on evolving standards.
What tax services do you provide for individuals?
We offer comprehensive tax planning and compliance services for individuals, including multi-state returns, trust and estate taxation, and high-net-worth individual strategies.
Can you help with estate and trust accounting?
Yes, we provide fiduciary accounting, estate tax return preparation, and trust administration services with specialists holding Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credentials.
How do you combine local and global resources?
As Allinial Global members, we access international expertise while maintaining local service through our four Central New York offices.
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