Fort Wright, KY

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Professional Experience

Jay has over 27 years of experience in corporate taxation, primarily within the life science sector and with a Fortune 500 company. His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including tax governance and controls, supply chain planning, tax compliance, tax provision, ERP implementations, and ESG-related tax matters.

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant

Speaking Engagements

  • CPAmerica 2023 Client Advisory Services Conference, Panel Speaker

Community Involvement

  • University of Akron School of Law Advancement Council: Member (2022 – 2024); Chair (2024 – Present)
  • University of Akron College of Business – Masters of Tax Governance Board: Member (2025 – Present)

Education

  • Juris Doctor (JD), University of Akron School of Law, Akron, OH
  • Master of Taxation (MTax), University of Akron School of Business, Akron, OH
  • Bachelor of Science (BS), Accounting, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

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Professional Experience

Karen started her career in accounting while she attended college. Following graduation, she transitioned into her first professional roles in public accounting and technology consulting. For over 30 years since, she has provided a myriad of accounting services to companies in the manufacturing and distribution sector. Karen currently holds a leadership role in the firm’s Accounting & Financial Outsourcing Department and is also a graduate of the firm’s Future Leaders program.

Industry Expertise

With her tenure in the manufacturing and distribution sector, Karen has become a subject matter expert in cost accounting. She utilizes this expertise to help her clients better understand the cost drivers in their business which helps them identify ways to maximize profitability. She also helps her clients find creative solutions to lean processes and incorporate efficiency to manage business growth with limited growth in resources.

Professional Activities

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant, KY State Board of Accountancy
  • AICPA Client Accounting & Advisory Services Certificate, Issued January 2021

Speaking Engagements

  • CPAmerica 2023 Client Advisory Services Conference, Panel Speaker

Community Involvement

  • Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road, Volunteer (2009–2021)

Education
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with a minor in Information Systems,
Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY

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Professional Experience

Allison re-joined Dean Dorton (formerly VonLehman) in 2016 after working as the controller of a local construction company. Her previous experience includes serving as the controller for a magazine publisher and other contractors. Allison’s passion is helping small businesses thrive by offering hands on support of daily business activities. She offers guidance in the creation, documentation, and implementation of policies and procedures that assist in improving profitability and encourage growth.

Allison is familiar with several accounting software packages including QuickBooks®, ComputerEase© and Sage® (formerly Timberline). She is well acquainted with local banks and vendors that support area small businesses.

Education

Certificate of Accounting,
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Juris Doctor,
Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science,
University of Illinois, Chicago, IL

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Professional Experience

Josh Shilts is an industry-leading expert in forensic accounting and business valuation (“FVS”), a thought leader, educator, and entrepreneur who assists attorneys, individuals, and businesses with complex financial matters and disputes. A focused problem-solver, he is equal parts expert, sleuth, and engaging communicator who thrives on the challenges and demands of his career.

Josh thrives on the challenges and demands of his career. His natural curiosity and passion for learning stem from early childhood, as his father, a professor, and his mother, a teacher, highly encouraged their boys’ pursuit of knowledge. His brother went on to work in higher education, and even in Josh’s chosen profession, he naturally seeks to share the wisdom he has attained. Not only proven by his foundation of ShiltsSpeaksTM but also by a stint as an Adjunct Professor for Florida Atlantic University’s School of Accounting.

He has held roles with public accounting firms ranging in size from the “Big Four” to smaller regional and local firms, as well as large public organizations throughout Florida and New York. This history afforded him a broad range of experience managing hundreds of FVS matters involving civil, commercial, and criminal disputes, as well as cases identifying and quantifying fraudulent or disputed activities. Honored as “AICPA’s Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year” in 2022, Josh appreciates and supports the nonprofits of his profession and community and is involved with at least eight organizations.

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Accredited Senior Appraiser
  • Accredited in Business Valuation
  • Certified in Financial Forensics
  • Chartered Global Management Accountant
  • Certified Fraud Examiner

Education

  • Masters of Accounting, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
  • Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

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Professional Experience

Sara has more than 15 years of experience in public accounting. She specializes in individual and fiduciary income tax, working with high-net-worth individuals and company executives. She is passionate about financial wellness and educating her clients and has extensive experience in retirement planning. Sara also has significant experience consult-ing with multinational companies regarding mobile employees and global compensation and benefits programs.

Professional Activities

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant

Education

  • Masters of Accountancy, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

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Professional Experience

Kiersten has 25 years of experience serving clients in the manufacturing, consumer products, healthcare, non-profit, and service industries. Kiersten has focused the majority
of her career in State and Local Tax with an emphasis on sales and use tax, although her career began in federal and state income tax. Kiersten has significant experience managing sales and use tax reviews, tax planning, tax compliance issues, tax technical research, and sales and use tax audits. She has also added Research and Development and Energy tax credits to her resume of service offerings.

Kiersten has spent the majority of her career in the public sector, twelve of those years at Big Four accounting firms.

Professional Activities

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant

Education

  • Masters of Science in Taxation, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

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