February 21, 2023

 

As we continue to position ourselves for our future, Belfint, Lyons & Shuman named four team members to leadership positions within the firm, all of whom started with the firm while interning during college or immediately upon graduation and have advanced to top level positions.

 

Michael D. Kelly, CPA, Karly A. Laughlin, CPA, AEP®, and Jonathan A. Patterson, CPA, CVA have each been named a Shareholder/Director in their respective Practice Groups. Michael E. Mast, CPA, CFE was promoted to Principal in the firm’s Government Practice Group.

• Michael D. Kelly, CPA started with BLS as a Staff Accountant and will celebrate his 15^th work anniversary in 2023. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a BA in Mathematics Education and a BS in Accounting and subsequently earned an MS in Taxation from Villanova University. Over the course of his career, Mike has become an expert in business entity services, including tax compliance and financial statements, trust and estate taxation, as well as a go-to resource for interpretation of tax code. He enjoys analyzing financials and working with client controllers to advise on their business matters. One of his greatest strengths is the ability to research and interpret difficult topics, and he’s often asked to participate on internal task forces to develop the Firm’s position on new and complex matters. Recently, Mike was an instrumental part of the team that tackled the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Mike also has an amazing knack for mentoring and developing staff. He believes in the value of training and supporting others and makes the time commitment a priority. Michael has been published in the Delaware Bankers Association’s magazine and is a frequent contributor to the firm’s blog – BLS Insights. He has presented tax updates for the firm’s Belfint Briefing webinar series, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, and the Delaware Tax Institute. He is a board member of the Estate Planning Council of Delaware and member of the AICPA, DSCPA, and the Wilmington Tax Group. You can also see Mike in the Perennial Tent volunteering at the Annual Wilmington Flower Market. Michael lives in Landenberg, Pennsylvania.

“Mike is an example of what makes this firm awesome. It has been fun to watch Mike grow from a fresh-out-of-school staff accountant to a CPA at the top of this profession. Mike is a great technician, leader, teacher, advocate, businessman, role model, and friend. Mike works incredibly hard and cares about his clients and coworkers.” – David Jennings, CPA

• Karly A. Laughlin, CPA, AEP® will celebrate her 14th work anniversary in 2023, having started as an Intern in the firm’s Tax & Small Business Department in 2009. Upon graduating from the University of Delaware with a BS in Accounting and Finance that same year, she joined BLS as a Staff Accountant. Karly is an Accredited Estate Planner® and leads the firm’s Estate & Trust section where she is known as an expert in consulting and providing tax compliance services for trusts and estates. One of her greatest strengths is helping clients develop and implement their estate plans. She also works closely with high net worth individuals and small businesses as their trusted advisor. Karly is recognized in the community for her expertise – becoming a CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 Honoree in 2017 and a Board member of the National Association of Estate Planners. She is a sought after presenter, some most notable presentations being at the AICPA’s largest annual conference for the past three years, the Delaware Tax Institute, and the firm’s Belfint Briefing webinar series. Karly has been published in Trusts & Estates magazine and the Delaware Bankers Association’s magazine. Karly is a member of the AICPA, DSCPA, National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, and the Estate Planning Council of Delaware. She is very active in the community as treasurer of Delaware CarePlan, volunteer at the Wilmington Flower Market, Mentor to University of Delaware Trust Minor students, and animal rescuer with Faithful Friends Animal Society. Karly currently resides in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. 

“As the head of the Firm’s Estate & Trust section, Karly provides leadership within the Firm and the local tax community through practice, speaking engagements, and direct community involvement. This experience provides Karly’s clients with first-in-class advice and service, resulting in effective solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing grantors, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries.” – Steve Ritchie, CPA

• Jonathan A. Patterson, CPA, CVA will celebrate his 15th work anniversary in 2023, having started as an Intern in the firm’s Tax & Small Business Department in 2008. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Accounting and transitioned to a Staff Accountant upon graduation. Jon has a well-rounded technical acumen, serving in leadership positions in both tax and audit practice groups, and for earning a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential. He subsequently received recognition by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts as a 40 Under Forty Honoree in 2021. Jon’s efforts have been instrumental in making him a go-to resource for local attorneys representing clients in need of a valuation, which has translated into the development of the firm’s Valuation service line. His services not only entail the research and development of the valuation itself but often include the need to provide expert testimony in a court of law. He has also been a big part of the development of a Bookkeeping service line for the Firm, which has provided an excellent foundation for his talent in providing client accounting services. Jon is a member of the AICPA, DSCPA, and the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. Jon resides in Hockessin, Delaware.

“Jon’s commitment to excellence and  unmatched thirst for knowledge has earned him a well-deserved place at the Director’s table. In his 14+ years at the Firm, Jon has grown from an ambitious intern to a respected and trusted business advisor to his clients, as well as an engaged and collaborative partner in the management group of the Firm. I truly value his friendship and am proud to call him my partner.” – Anne Mary Kluska, CPA, CVA

• Michael E. Mast, CPA, CFE will celebrate his 16^th anniversary at BLS in 2023, having started as a Staff Accountant in 2007. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Accounting and quickly earned his Certified Public Accountant and Certified Forensic Examiner certifications. In 2015, when the firm began to build its Government practice group, Michael eagerly agreed to pivot his efforts to a dedicated attention to developing this specialized assurance service. With his unparalleled commitment to BLS and former experience with nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plans, and for-profit audit services, Michael quickly became a driving force in the growth of this service line. Additionally, Michael’s focus on forensics has resulted in added services offered to clients. Michael is committed to strengthening his ability to assist clients through his memberships in the Delaware League of Local Governments, AICPA, DSCPA, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Michael resides in Wilmington, Delaware.

“Mike’s work ethic and commitment to excellence has been a driving force behind the growth of the firm’s State & Local Government assurance practice. His well-deserved promotion will position his practice group for many years of continued success.” – Jonathan D. Moll, CPA

About Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A.:

Belfint, Lyons & Shuman was founded in 1923 as a small accounting practice whose staff was committed to building long-standing, mutually beneficial relationships with clients and business associates. Today, with more than 80 professionals, we have become one of the largest and most respected certified public accounting firms in Delaware while never losing sight of our founding commitments. We have a diverse client base and offer services such as: advisory services, assurance, auditing, tax planning & compliance, small business services, international services, litigation support, employee benefit plan audits, succession planning, business & management consulting and corporate services for investment holding companies. Visit our website at www.belfint.com.