Firm Partners:

Richard J. Alfera, MST, PFS, CPA

Richard J. Alfera, MST, PFS, CPA

Rick is the firm's president and managing partner of daily operations, he is also responsible for administering the firm's Tax & Compliance and Business & Consulting practices. He provides specialized tax services, planning, research, and compliance counseling to businesses in a wide variety of industries. He also has extensive experience with mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and business consulting including litigation support for attorneys regarding those areas of expertise. Rick acts as a business advocate, providing integrated planning for closely held businesses and family members.

Prior to joining the firm, Rick worked at an international big-four accounting firm, where he advised companies with annual sales of $1 million to $100 million, as well as several Fortune 500 companies. Subsequently, he served as a senior accountant for Rockwell International, where he was responsible for federal and multi-state income tax compliance. He also acted as the tax manager of the Allen-Bradley Company, a Rockwell subsidiary.

Among other professional teaching and training responsibilities, Rick has taught national tax training seminars. He has a master's degree in taxation, cum laude, from Robert Morris College and a bachelor's degree in accounting, cum laude, from Duquesne University. 

Rick is the past President and member of the executive board of directors of the Northern Allegheny County Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Marketing Committee and past President of the South Hills Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Tax Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a past board member of the Western PA School for the Deaf, a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a member of the North American Tang Soo Do Karate Association.

Email: rjalfera@gbaco.com

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Derek M. Backa, CPA, CVA

Derek M. Backa, CPA, CVA

Derek Backa, a firm partner in the Tax & Compliance, and Business & Consulting departments.  Derek has particular experience serving closely held businesses where he counsels and assists business owners with profitability analysis, tax planning and compliance, loan request packages, business plan development, real estate transactions, and general business matters. He also assists businesses and individuals on a wide range of financial planning matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Derek was a personal financial planning consultant for a Pittsburgh-based firm, serving corporate managers, attorneys, physicians, and engineers. In addition to his accounting and financial experience, he has more than 10 years experience in manufacturing, where his responsibilities included production scheduling and inventory control, as well as fabrication and distribution of product lines for the steel industry. In December 1998, Derek completed the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) program and earned the designation of Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA).

Derek, who holds Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses, has a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Pittsburgh. Derek is past chairman of the board of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Cancer Society and currently, serves as a board member for the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society. He is also a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Email: dmbacka@gbaco.com

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Stephen J. Spitz, CPA

Stephen J. Spitz, CPA

Steve is a Partner in the Audit & Assurance department. Prior to becoming Partner, Steve began as a consultant with GBAC in 2002, with experience primarily in audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements of companies in various industries including governmental, not for profit, service, manufacturing, medical, and real estate. He graduated Cum Laude from Saint Francis College in Loretto, Pa., with a degree in accounting in 1998 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 2001.

Steve is one of our firm’s newest audit partners. He began providing Peer Review services as a team captain in 2016 after going through the firm’s internal peer review training and the courses required by the AICPA. Steve is a current member of the PICPA Peer Review Committee and is an integral part of our firm’s peer review service offering. 

Steve is a member of the Pittsburgh Young Professionals.

Email: sjspitz@gbaco.com

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James R. Baird, III, CPA/ABV, CVA

James R. Baird, III, CPA/ABV, CVA

A Partner in the Audit & Assurance, and Business & Consulting departments, James (Jamie) works closely with our clients, their controllers, and bookkeepers, in providing tax and accounting services that best meet their diverse needs. Jamie’s experience includes serving public and closely held businesses with accounting and auditing, profit enhancement, business plan analysis, and business valuations. His experience includes working with companies in various industries including real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, and not for profit.

Jamie graduated magna cum laude from Robert Morris College with a BS in Business Administration.  Jamie is a CPA, a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV).  ABV is a professional designation awarded to CPAs who specialize in calculating the value of businesses. The certification is overseen by the AICPA and requires the applicant to pass an exam, have 1,500 hours in performing valuations and 75 hours of continuing professional education within the last five years.  There are only approximately 3,200 CPA/ABV’s nationwide.

Jamie is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and Forensic and Valuation Services Section and National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.

Email: jrbaird@gbaco.com

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Jennifer A. Varley, CPA

Jennifer A. Varley, CPA

Jennifer was promoted to Partner in 2017 after serving 9 years as a manager in the Audit & Assurance department at GBACO.  

Jennifer joined the firm as a Manager in the firm’s Audit & Accounting Group in 2008. She has over 30 years of experience providing auditing, review and compilation services to a wide variety of clients.  She has been responsible for GBACO's Nonprofit Financial Services practice and Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Audits specialty area.  Her diverse experience also includes providing tax compliance and planning services for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and non-profit tax organizations.

Jennifer graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. A CPA since 1987, she is also a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Email: javarley@gbaco.com

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Lauri A. Lisanti, MAcc, CPA, CPS

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Lauri was promoted to Partner  within the Business & Consulting Services department in December 2021. She spends the majority of her time providing business, accounting, and computer software consulting to clients in a variety of industries including nonprofit organizations, manufacturing, retail and professional services. Lauri’s responsibilities include the installation of and training for accounting software, annual maintenance and upgrades of software, technical support, accounting services both on-site and off-site and payroll services. Lauri has extensive knowledge of several “off-the-shelf” accounting software packages, such as Peachtree and all versions of QuickBooks, including Enterprise Solutions. Lauri also assists on audits, prepares compiled and reviewed financial statements and corporate tax returns. In addition, Lauri is also a certified payroll specialist and QuickBooks ProAdvisor in both desktop and online versions. 

A member of the firm since 2003, Lauri is a graduate of Chatham University with a Master of Accounting degree, where she graduated summa cum laude. Lauri also graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Lauri became a Certified Public Accountant in 2014.

Lauri is a member of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce Women’s Networking Group and the Fox Chapel Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Email: lalisanti@gbaco.com

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Matthew B. Sarver, CPA

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Matt was promoted to Partner in the Audit & Assurance Department in December, 2021.  He spends the majority of his time providing auditing services to clients in a variety of industries including nonprofit organizations, manufacturing, and professional services.  In addition to his normal managerial responsibilities related to the audit and accounting engagements assigned to him, Matt will be responsible for assisting with the firm’s quality control areas and his specialty areas which include ERISA plans and HUD audits.

Matt is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Robert Morris University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting. In addition, Matt became a certified public accountant in 2009.

Email: mbsarver@gbaco.com

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Firm Managers:

Robert J. McKown, CPA

Robert J. McKown, CPA

Bob is a Manager and the Firm Administrator. He brings over 30 years of diversified experience in public accounting, financial institutions, manufacturing, government and not for profit entities. Bob utilizes his managerial, computer and analytical problem-solving skills to provide consulting, including computer technology, tax, and audit services to the firm's clients.

Bob is an alumnus of a big-five accounting firm and became a CPA in 1993. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Robert Morris University.

Bob is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of CPAs and is active in its Student Relationship Committee. He is serving his 20th year as a Councilman for the Borough of Whitehall, is its President and has chaired numerous of its committees. He has also been Trustee and Treasurer of Whitehall Borough Public Library. Bob serves as a Director and Vice Chairman of the Medical Rescue Team South (emergency medical service provider), is its past Chairman and has chaired its Legal and Finance Committee. Bob is a Director and Treasurer of the Friends of Whitehall Library; and past Director on the South Hills YMCA Board of Management. In addition, Bob is a past Director and President of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and is currently Treasurer of the Brentwood Business Owners Association. As an active community person, Bob has also has been involved with Baldwin High School's Music Patron Organization and the Baldwin-Whitehall PTA.

Email: rjmckown@gbaco.com

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Stacey L. Schroeffel, MST , CPA

Stacey L. Schroeffel, MST , CPA

Stacey Schroeffel joined the firm in 2013 as a Senior Manager in the Tax & Compliance department. Stacey has experience at regional accounting firms where she was a Tax Manager. She provided preparation and review of Federal, State and Local tax returns for individuals, non-profit, and corporate clients.

Stacey received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s of Science in Taxation from Robert Morris College.

Email: slschroeffel@gbaco.com

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Rita R. Day

Rita R. Day

Rita was hired in 2007 as the Office Manager of the firm. Rita's responsibilities include functions in finance and accounting, personnel and human resources, marketing/practice management and development, and general administration. She has a variety of experience working with companies in industries including education, service, technology, and manufacturing organizations, providing services similar to what her current responsibilities entail. Rita holds a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Notary Public Commission. Rita is an active member of the Brentwood Business Owners Association and the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce.

Email: rrday@gbaco.com

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Senior Staff:

Paul T. Steinmetz

Paul was promoted to Senior Consultant in the Audit and Assurance Department effective July, 2019.  Paul began his career at the Firm as a Staff Consultant in the Audit and Accounting and Tax Groups in 2014. He spends the majority of his time providing auditing and attestation services to a variety of clients.  Paul received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College in May 2014.

Email: ptsteinmetz@gbaco.com

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Michael A. Valentine

Michael was promoted to Senior Consultant effective July, 2022.  Michael joined the firm with the acquisition in 2020. He is part of the Audit & Assurance Department in the firm.  Michael spends the majority of his time working on audits of non-profit organizations and low income tax credit limited partnerships.

Michael is a graduate of West Liberty University.

Email:  mavalentine@gbaco.com

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Lacey D. VanDyne, MBA

As a  part of the Audit & Assurance Department at GBACO, Lacey  became a senior Consultant effective July, 2022.  She spends the majority of her time working on audits of non-profit organizations and low income tax credit limited partnerships.

Lacey is a graduate of West Liberty University.

Email:  ldvandyne@gbaco.com

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Suhao Zhang, MAcc, MMIS

Suaho was promoted to Senior Consultant  effective July, 2022.  Suhao was hired in January, 2020  as a Staff Consultant for the Audit & Accounting Department. Suhao graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. 

Suhao also completed a Master of Science in Accounting (MAcc)  and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MMIS) at the University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

Email: szhang@gbaco.com

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Firm Staff:

Wendy L. Bauman

Wendy is a business systems consultant in the Consulting Group of Goff Backa Alfera & Company, LLC. In this capacity, Wendy spends the majority of her time providing business and computer software consulting to clients in a wide variety of industries, including nonprofit organizations, manufacturing, retail and professional services. Wendy’s responsibilities include the installation of and training for accounting software, annual maintenance and upgrades of software, technical support, bookkeeping services both on-site and off-site, as well as preparation of payroll related tax returns. Wendy has extensive knowledge of several “off-the-shelf” accounting software packages including but not limited to Peachtree Complete, QuickBooks Pro (all levels and versions), Real World, Mas 200, Business Works and Mind Your Own Business (MYOB).

Wendy became the firm’s first employee when she was hired in 1988 as the firm’s administrative assistant. Since that time, Wendy has taken the initiative to become very proficient in providing the services noted above to many of the firm’s clients.

Email: wlbauman@gbaco.com

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Holly E. Davis

Holly was hired to be part of the Audit & Assurance Department of the firm.  She is a graduate of West Liberty University.

Holly spends the majority of her time working on audits of non-profit organizations and low income tax credit limited partnerships.

Email:  hedavis@gbaco.com

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Nicholas (Nico) P. Demkin

Nicholas (Nico) Demkin was hired in 2022 as the Administrative Coordinator for the firm.  Nico provides valuable assistance to the partners and staff by utilizing his interpersonal and organizational skills to greet clients and provide administrative support. Nico is a Widener University graduate with a BS in English . 

Email: npdemkin@gbaco.com

Paige M. Griffith

Paige was hired as an intern in January 2020 and began full-time employment with the firm in July, 2020 as part of the Audit & Assurance Department in the firm.  Paige works on audits of non-profit organizations and low income tax credit limited partnerships.  

Paige is a graduate of Geneva College.

Email:  pmgriffith@gbaco.com

 

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Anthony J. Ventura, MAcc

Anthony joined the firm in June, 2022 as a Staff Consultant in the Audit & Assurance Department of the firm.  Anthony spends the majority of his time providing  auditing and attestation services to a variety of clients.  Anthony received both his Bachelors and Master degrees from West Virginia University.

Email:  ajventura@gbaco.com

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Taryn L. Sarko

Taryn joined the firm in 2022 as a consultant in the Audit & Assurance Department of the firm.  A graduate of Franklin University, Taryn will concentrate her time working on audits of non-profit organizations and low income tax credit limited partnerships.

Email:  tlsarko@gbaco.com

 

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Chelsea A. Anani Morales

Chelsea continued her employment as a full-time employee effective January, 2023 after being an intern throughout 2022.  She is a graduate of Carlow University.  Chelsea is a part of the Tax Department of GBACO.

Email:  camorales@gbaco.com

 

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Traci Alfera

Traci was hired in September, 2017 as an Administrative Specialist for the firm.  Traci assists the partners and staff during busy season and with special projects. 

Email:  taalfera@gbaco.com

 

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