Greater Philadelphia Chapter 9th Annual Q&A with Richard Furlong IRS Senior Stakeholder Liaison and

James J. Newhard, CPA, CGMA
Proprietor, Speaker for Loscalzo Associates

In public practice since 1979, Jim established the firm JAMES J. NEWHARD, CPA in December, 1986 focused on small business entrepreneurs and individuals, to provide a wide variety of tax (preparation and planning), accounting & reporting (review, compilation, preparation, AUP, and QuickBooks Advisor), and advisory services to individuals, small-to-medium sized businesses (including start-up businesses), not-for-profit entities, estates, and trusts. Jim is also a CPE discussion leader, teaching practitioner A&A, professional ethics and tax CPE programs for Loscalzo Associates.

Jim is a member of the AICPA (including PCPS and Taxation Member) and the PICPA. As Greater Philadelphia Chapter past-president (2006-07) and recipient of both the Volunteer Service Award (2009) and the Champion Service Award (2012), Jim serves on several PICPA committees at the state level (PICPA Council, Accounting and Auditing Procedures, State & Local Taxation, Legislation, The Act 32 Task Force, CPA Image Enhancement, and Member Services,) and the Philadelphia Chapter level (Accounting and Auditing, Local Taxation & Legislation Committee, and Federal Tax). Additionally, Jim serves as the editor of the Accounting & Auditing column for the Pennsylvania CPA Journal, and has authored several columns and features, principally on CPA practitioner matters in A&A and Pennsylvania local tax matters (earned income taxes and business privilege taxes).

Jim developed/co-developed many Act 32 resources for members and users, as well as several other reference informational resources for practitioners (including brochures on PA business privilege taxes, and attest & non-attest financial reporting services) and consumers (including brochures on managing debt, CPA-client privacy matters, and questions to ask in choosing a CPA).

Karen Facer-Mee, CPA, CGMA
Managing Shareholder, Facer, Mee & Associates, P.C.

Karen Facer-Mee, CPA, has over 30 years’ experience in financial statement and federal and multi-state tax preparation, consulting and accounting system design servicing. Her firm services a diversified client base of privately owned regional and international small businesses in a variety of industries, their owners as well as clients of law and accounting firms.  Karen’s primary focus in the Federal and state tax area is planning, research and compliance as well as controversy (examination, collection and representation for civil tax matters). After 13 years with Kreischer,Miller, Karen purchased her portion of the practice. Then 4 years later Patrick Mee left JYO as partner in charge of Information Technology to create Facer,Mee & Associates, P.C. Their expertise in traditional accounting, management advisory and tax services is complimented and enhanced by Patrick’s computer specialization.

Karen is a member of AICPA (CGMA, PCPS, PFP and Taxation), AFWA and PSTAP. Karen is Co. Chair of PICPA’s Greater Phila. Chapter Federal Taxation Committee and serves on Annual Tax Forum, Coop with the Bar & Other Professionals, Legislation & Local Tax and Speakers Bureau. Karen served PICPA’s Greater Phila. Chapter as President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and chaired Executive Committee, Nominations and Past Presidents. Karen serves PICPA at the state level on Federal Taxation Committee and served on Council, Image Enhancement, Budget & Finance and Chapter Operations. Karen has been interviewed about financial literacy and tax issues by news print, radio, television as well as PA State Capitol’s Legislative Report.  Karen has developed CPE programs and has spoken for various accounting societies on tax and financial issues. Karen is a PICPA Legislative Key Contact continuing to advocate for topics of interest to the profession meeting with legislators, their staff and taxing authorities. Karen is one of the founding organizers that developed the Q&A with IRS Senior Stakeholder Liaison and panel of tax experts who works with practitioners thru the year to determine what questions should be addressed.

Karen received the 2017 AICPA Women to Watch Award; Experienced Leader Category which was the first year PICPA partnered with AICPA to honor outstanding women in the profession who have established their roles as leaders and improvements to the workplace (major or unique contribution to the profession) and by mentoring those following in their footsteps managing a health work/life balance (public and community service). 2017 Volunteer Service Award from PICPA Greater Phila. Chapter. 2016 and 2015 Philadelphia Five Star Certified PublicAccountant Awards. 2010 Accounting & Financial Women Alliance Empowering Successful Women Award. Karen’s husband Patrick and their two daughters Krysta (Tax Manager at PwC) and Kelly (Tax Manager at KPMG) are all Certified Public Accountants.

 Winter 2017

William J. Stickney, CPA
Partner
Grant Thornton LLP

Bill serves as a Tax Partner and the CIP Industry Practice Leader in Grant Thornton’s Philadelphia office. He has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting and possesses significant expertise in the retail, manufacturing/distribution, and services sectors. He has been responsible for the delivery of a broad range of tax planning services to his clients, including the structuring of new business ventures, the implementation of state and local tax minimization strategies; international taxation; IRS dispute resolution; and individual, trust, and estate taxation.

He has particular expertise advising middle-market private and public companies on the tax and business issues impacting them. Bill has extensive experience helping middle-market companies address the myriad issues involved in the sale or purchase of a business. Among the services that Bill has delivered to his clients in connection with the sale of a business are buyer’s and seller’s due diligence, structuring of sale transactions, modeling of the tax consequences of multiple potential sale scenarios, and assistance in establishing and running family office functions to manage post-sale liquidity.

Bill has been a frequent speaker on topics including estate and succession planning, merger and acquisition issues, tax accounting methods, and the taxation of S corporations.  Bill currently serves on Drexel University’s Accounting Department Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of Achieveability and is co-chair of the Federal Tax Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the PICPA.

Bill holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from Neumann College, and a M.S. in Taxation from Villanova University. 

Eric P. Wallace, CPA
Director

Professional History

Eric joined Boyer & Ritter in January 2013 as a director for the firm. Eric brings with him extensive expertise in construction and real estate services and in tangible property, depreciation, NOL, and 263A issues and will continue to focus on providing tax, accounting, auditing and consulting services.

Over the last 20 years, Eric ran his own firm, and was a Partner and head of the Construction & Real Estate Services Team for Carbis Walker LLP, a regional firm located in Pennsylvania. The focus of his practice was on all aspects of services to CPA firms, contractors/developers, and the real estate industry. He also provided specialized professional services, consulting, and training to CPA firms, CPA organizations, publishing companies, and construction and real estate related industries in tax, consulting, and accounting and auditing.

Eric has been an expert witness in construction related and other court cases in venues such as bankruptcy, district, and local courts in various states concerning liability, tax and accounting issues. He also represented numerous contractor clients before the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, and state revenue departments of income, employment, and sales tax.

Professional Activities

Eric is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), served on its Council for several years, currently serves on the AICPA new accounting Framework Task Force (AICPA FRF for SMEs). He is also a member and past president of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

Eric is a member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and past chairman of the Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee. He is a member of the Association of General Contractors (AGC) and currently serves of the National Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee.

Eric is also a member of the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Contractors Association of Western PA (CAWP), and theMaster Builders Association (MBA).

Eric is a frequent lecturer at conferences and continuing education seminars including numerous group study and conference presentations for the AICPA, various state societies, non-profit groups, education companies, large companies (such as American Express for their construction department), and large international CPA firms. Eric has been an instructor for continuing education courses in almost all of the states since 1989. Eric was also a speaker for several state CPA societies during 2001-2012 for their annual construction conferences as well as a frequent speaker for CCH Webinar Series.

Publications

Eric was the author, or co-author, of several tax and accounting courses, white papers, reference materials, articles, newsletters for CPAs and attorneys that are currently offered through various producers or publishers.

Eric is the author of CCH's two construction books, Construction Guide: Tax and Advisory Services and Construction-Guide-Accounting-and-KnowledgeBased-AuditsTM. These are extensive treatises of about 2,000 pages each on accounting, auditing, consulting, and tax for contractors, homebuilders, and real estate developers. Eric has also written CCH's audit programs on the construction industry, and its disclosure checklists, currently in its seventh edition, and a contributor to CCH’s IntelliConnect and ARM on-line resources.

Sean J. Brennan, CPA, MBA
President, Brennan and Company CPA PC

EDUCATION
West Chester University, MBA Economics and Finance, 1996
St. Joseph’s University, BS Accounting, Minor in Politics, 1987

AFFILIATIONS
Chairman: Pennsylvania Institute of CPA’s Federal Taxation Committee (2017 – Present)
Board Member: PICPA State and Local Chapters of Federal Tax Committee (2015-Present)
Member: IRS’ Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee –    ETAAC commissioner appointment (2011-2013)
Past President: PA Chapter (NATP) National Association of Tax Professionals (2007 2009)
Director: PA Chapter (NATP) National Association of Tax Professionals (1999-2010)
Member: State of Pennsylvania IRS/Practitioner Liaison (2009-2014)
Member: American Institute of CPA’s
Member: Pennsylvania Institute of CPA’s
Member: AICPA Tax and Forensic and Valuation Services Section
Member: American Society of Tax Problem Solutions
Member: Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Member: Letip Business Network

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS & HONOR
2010 IRS Award of Excellence in Partnering
2009 PA-NATP Chapter Person of the Year
2009 IRS Award of Excellence in Partnering
2008 IRS Award of Excellence in Partnering

COMPANY AWARDS & HONORS
2018 “Best Accounting Firm in Philadelphia” WPHL17 Top Spots
2018 “3 Best Rated Accounting Firm in Philadelphia” 3bestrated.com
2018 20 Best Accountants in Philadelphia” Expertise.com
2017 “3 Best Rated Accounting Firm in Philadelphia” 3bestrated.com
2017 “20 Best Accountants in Philadelphia” Expertise.com
2016 “3 Best Rated Accounting Firm in Philadelphia” 3bestrated.com
2016 “20 Best Accountants in Philadelphia” Expertise.com
2007 “Best of the Northwest”
2006 “Best of the Northwest”
2005 “Best of the Northwest”
2004 “Best of the Northwest”

ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
Chestnut Hill College, Adjunct Professor, (part-time) 2006-2012
Temple University, Dean’s Appointed Faculty, (Fixed 7 year term) 1998 – 2005
Montgomery County Community College, 1997 – 1998

COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT
Germantown Day School Founder and Headmaster 2017 – Present
Brennan and Company CPA, PC President 1996 – Present
Insignia/ESG Accounting Controller, 1991 – 1996
KPMG, Supervising Senior Accountant, 1987 – 1991

Matthew D. Melinson, CPA, MT
Partner and National SALT Practice Indirect Tax Services Leader
Grant Thornton LLP

Based in Philadelphia, PA, Matthew is responsible for all aspects of multistate tax consulting, planning, and compliance within Grant Thornton.Matthewcurrently leads thestate and local tax(SALT)practice for the Atlantic Coast Market Territory, which includes the Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania areas. He also serves as a key account leader, as overall firm or tax leader on some of the firm’s major clients.  Additionally, Matthew is the liaison for state and local tax, collaborating with the audit and advisory service lines as well as other tax business lines.  From August 2015through July 2017, Matt servedas Grant Thornton’s national leader of State and Local Tax (SALT) indirect taxes. From March 2011 through July 2014, Matthew was the SALT practice leader of Grant Thornton’sNortheast Region, which included the Pennsylvania,New York, New Jersey, and New England areas.

Prior to Grant Thornton’s acquisition of LECG SMART’s State and Local Tax practicein March of 2011, Matthew led LECG SMART’s nationalSALTpractice, which included professionals based in the Atlanta, Chicago, New York,and Philadelphia areas.  Prior to joining LECG SMART in 2006, Matthew spent approximately 10 years with PwC.

James M. Brower Jr., CPA, MST
Partner, State & Local Tax Leader
CBIZ Marks Paneth

Jay Brower, CPA, is a Partner of corporate and individual tax compliance and research services at Marks Paneth, LLP. He has more than 20 years of professional experience at the federal, state, and local levels.

Mr. Brower's duties also include the development of tax planning and implementation strategies, as well as education and development of the firm's professionals. Mr. Brower provides tax planning and compliance services to clients in the manufacturing, commercial fishing, telecommunications, professional services, retail and transportation industries.

Mr. Brower was recognized by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants as one of the “40 Under 40: PICPA Members to Watch.” He is a frequent speaker on subjects concerning federal and state tax issues including electronic filing; the domestic production activities deduction; State and Local income taxes and ASC 740/Fin 48.

January 2023

Frank Breslin, CPA

Revenue Commissioner - Chief Collections Officer, City of Philadelphia

Frank Breslin brings more than 30 years of experience in tax compliance to his position as Revenue Commissioner. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Breslin served as the Deputy Revenue Commissioner for the Tax Bureau from 2009 to 2015. As Deputy Revenue Commissioner, Mr. Breslin was responsible for directing the Accounting Operations, Compliance Operations, and Taxpayer Services Division of the Department of Revenue.

Throughout his career, Mr. Breslin held various leadership positions, including Compliance Operations Manager and Revenue Compliance Program Director. In these roles, he worked to implement and utilize technological advances to reduce the tax gap and increase taxpayer compliance.

Mr. Breslin earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Temple University. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

As Revenue Commissioner, Mr. Breslin utilizes a staff of more than 500 employees to maximize the collection of taxes, water charges, and other fees and fines owed to the City of Philadelphia. These funds provide support for Philadelphia schools and services.

Richard G. Furlong, Jr.
Senior Stakeholder Liaison
Internal Revenue Service

Mr. Furlong is a Senior Stakeholder Liaison in the Mid-Atlantic Area Stakeholder Liaison office of the Internal Revenue Service Small Business/Self-Employed Division. Stakeholder Liaison serves as the primary IRS liaison office to tax practitioner organizations throughout the country. He is currently on a detail assignment to the IRS Affordable Care Act office.

Mr. Furlong coordinates IRS participation at the annual Eastern Pennsylvania “Working Together” Conference. “Working Together” is a joint effort of public and private tax professionals to enhance the level of communication, education, and trust between these organizations and individuals. Mr. Furlong is also a member of the PA IRS/Practitioner Liaison Council which provides a structured forum for Pennsylvania accounting and tax professional organizations to meet twice each year with IRS managers and employees to discuss current IRS program issues. He also meets periodically with the PICPA Federal Tax Committee to discuss IRS programs and policies.

Each year, Mr. Furlong represents IRS at practitioner CPE sessions throughout Pennsylvania where he discusses IRS policies and procedures, tax law updates, Affordable Care Act tax issues, and IRS electronic tax administration.

Mr. Furlong is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

2023