Reading Chapter Tax Conference

Barry D. Groebel, CPA
Partner
Herbein + Company Inc.

Barry Groebel began his career with one of the nation’s largest accounting firms. Prior to joining Herbein + Company, He gained important accounting and tax experience with a Fortune 500 corporation and other accounting firms. Barry joined Herbein + Company in 1992 and became Partner in 2000. Barry manages tax compliance and transactional tax planning services delivered to many of the firm’s clients in a broad range of industries. Barry is the tax partner on many of the firm’s major clients.

Robert E. Duquette, CPA, MBA
Adjunct Lecturer- Lehigh University
(Ret.) Tax Partner - Ernst & Young LLP

Recent Employment
Lehigh University, August 2009-Present:  Adjunct Lecturer--Fundamentals of Federal Income Taxation, Applied Federal Income Taxation,   Financial Reporting for MBAs, and Introduction to Financial Accounting
Ernst & Young LLP, 1981 through retirement in 2009: Most recently as Transactions Tax Practice Leader for Philadelphia Area since 2004,  and  prior to that as Director of Tax –Central Pennsylvania,  1990 – 2004  with consistent annual  No. 1 ranking in East region for overall performance

Recent Public Professional Presentations
Most Recent Public Presentations to Peer Groups on : “The Federal Deficit and Implications on Future Tax Policy: Misconceptions, Confusion, and Facts” and annual updates:
June 21, 2011 to Tax Executives Institute of Central Pennsylvania
December 8, 2011 and December 9, 2010 to Berks County PICPA and Bar Association Annual Tax Forums
October 14, 2011 and October 10, 2010 to Lehigh University sponsored Annual Tax Forums for the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the PICPA
Ernst & Young University (EYU) and Regional Tax Instructor on a variety of specialty tax topics during the period 1990-2009, as well as various PICPA chapters annual tax forums

Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants: Active member 1977 to present; former National Council Board Member 1996 – 1997
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants: Active member 1981 to present; active membership on Federal Tax Committee and Chairman of  Federal Deficit & Tax Reform Sub-Committee and also Current Member and Past Chairman of Berks County Federal Tax Committee
Institute of Management Accounting  1984 to 1986: Member 1976-1997; former President of Berks County Chapter;  representative to the Mid-Atlantic Council, and past National Board member
Berks County Chamber of Commerce- Board of Directors 1994-1997 and Chairman of its Tax Committee  
Assistant Boy Scout Scoutmaster, Troop 437, Wyomissing, Pa, 1996 – 2004

Published Articles
“VEBAs:  An Old Idea Makes a Comeback,” Management Accounting, December 1992 (Co-authored with Scott Balestrier)
Federal Tax Reform and Tax Planning for Small Business, Pennsylvania CPA Journal, and Berks County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter articles, 1992 – 1997
“CPAs, CEOs Survey on Income Tax Reform,” Lincoln Institute Sindlinger  Economic Report, Winter 1997

Acknowledgements  of  Review
“Taxation of Individuals and Business Entities 2012 Ed.”, Spilker et.al., McGraw Hill

Curatola’s area of research interest includes federal and state income tax policy, fringe benefits taxation, retirement income and women and retirement income taxation. He has authored more than 90 articles that have appeared in journals such as The Tax Adviser, Canadian Accounting Perspectives, Journal of Pension Planning and Compliance, Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research and Tax Notes. His findings also have appeared in media such as Forbes, Washington Post, Money Magazine, Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He has chaired and served on the Tax Policy Research Oversight committee for the American Taxation Association.

Stan Fromuth

Stan Fromuth worked for the Social Security Administration (SSA) for over 38 years prior to retiring in 2014.  He held several management and analytical positions throughout his career working in a number of SSA components including SSA’s regional headquarters in Philadelphia, the national headquarters in Baltimore, the mid-Atlantic 800# Operations and several SSA field offices.   He has written regional and national policy.  He was also a member of several national workgroups that examined and modified Social Security policies and procedures.  Stan received many awards and commendations throughout his career recognizing his expertise in Social Security issues.  He has been making presentations to the public on Social Security issues for the past 25 years. 

After retiring from SSA, Stan opened a consulting business that assists people with their Social Security retirement planning.

Joe Olenski

Stan Fromuth and Joe Olenski worked for the Social Security Administration for over 38 years prior to retiring in 2014. They held several positions throughout their careers working in a number of SSA components including SSAs Program Service Center, Regional and Central offices. They have written regional and national policy. They were members of several national workgroups that examined and modified Social Security policies and procedures. Stan and Joe have received many awards and commendations throughout their careers recognizing their expertise in Social Security issues. They have been making presentations to the public on Social Security issues for the past 25 years.