Manufacturing & Distribution |
Manufacturing & Distribution - Accounting & Tax
The manufacturing and distribution sector has historically been the backbone of the American economy. Businesses range from transportation equipment, computers, electronics, textiles, foods, chemicals, machinery, and metal products, to plastics and paper. The majority of firms are small businesses with annual sales under $1 million. In fact, just 6,000 companies have annual sales of over $50 million and the top 200 produce more than 40% of the total sales each year. For every 1.00 spent in manufacturing another $2.79 is added to the economy.
Dermody, Burke & Brown (DB&B) serves all kinds of manufacturing clients. No matter the size of the business or the products being produced, manufacturers face similar operational issues including labor relations, research and development, quality control, inventory, cost control, process and product improvement, and adherence to government regulations. At DB&B, we believe that manufacturing and distribution companies need a highly proactive and informed accounting and financial management team they can trust to maintain current, in-depth knowledge of trends, opportunities and threats, such as:
At DB&B, we focus on understanding exactly how each manufacturing client generates profits so that we can provide truly insightful advice to help clients tighten operations, collaborate more efficiently, meet competitive market conditions, and grow your business. This broad view has led us to develop a cross-functional Manufacturing Service team headed by a Member/Principal, who maintains contact year-round to bring clients high-level, innovative strategies for tax savings and business improvements. The team also includes a cadre of tax specialists, to ensure that tax strategy is fully considered and each engagement is seamless and minimally intrusive for clients’ internal accounting staff. DB&B involves clients fully during the financial statement review and fieldwork processes to expedite any decisions necessary to keep the process timely and on track.
In the event that an unusual or particularly challenging issue arises, DB&B’s affiliation with Allinial Global allows our team to tap into a wealth of Manufacturing & Distribution experience of other top tax practices. Allinial is an association of legally independent accounting and consulting firms that seamlessly share training resources, best practices, information and expertise. Our firm is also a proud member of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY).
Thought Leadership Emails
DB&B provides you with updates on your industry via emails covering current topics of interest to the manufacturing and distribution field. These are designed to keep you apprised of all the accounting reformations and tax updates that effect manufacturers on a daily basis.
Industry Specific Benchmarking Studies
Through our relationship with several comprehensive private company industry data services, we can benchmark your business against others in the manufacturing industry - providing you with the tools you need to remain highly competitive in today’s global marketplace.
Testimonial from Cathedral Candle Company
“Cathedral Candle Company has been in existence for over one hundred years and over fifty of those years have been with Dermody, Burke & Brown. As our fourth and fifth generation of Steigerwalds take the lead, our accounting firm continues to provide us with proactive, insightful advice that contributes to our current and future growth – lighting the way for our next one hundred years.”
- Louis Steigerwald III
President, Cathedral Candle Company
Cathedral Candle Company has served Christian churches through the master craft and art of candlemaking for more than a century. Since our Syracuse factory began production in 1897, we still hold true to our innovative methods and high quality formulations. We’ve worked hard to perfect the hand work and ornamentation techniques our founder and great-grandfather, Jacob Steigerwald, created.
Today, Cathedral Candle Company is owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generation of Steigerwalds and we continue to make church candles exclusively, remaining true to our original values. The factory, on Kirkpatrick Street in Syracuse, remains the core of today's expanded manufacturing facility. Our longstanding CPA firm, Dermody, Burke & Brown, has been by our side along the way and has been instrumental in continuing to support our future goals by providing sound advice in many areas of business. We are proud to continue supplying a quality product that preserves the tradition of helping churches to light religious faith with the living flame.
Testimonial from Matt Brewing Co.
“We have developed a strong relationship with Dermody, Burke & Brown that transcends numbers. They are true business professionals and have contributed to our long term success.”
- Nick Matt
CEO, Matt Brewing Co.
Matt Brewing Co. has over 100 years of history and experience brewing high-quality, award-winning beer. As the brewery expanded, we needed a CPA Firm we could trust so we were free to focus on mastering our craft. CEO Nick Matt hired Jim Kane and Dave Bowles (photographed) to provide tax, auditing & accounting services at the highest professional level for over 20 years. Without the expertise and continuous support of our longtime CPAs, our longevity and growth would not be possible. Today, Matt Brewing Co. is one of the most respected breweries in the country, and wins awards and accolades for its beers around the world.
Matt Brewing Co. is an award-winning, family-owned brewery based in Utica, NY. It was founded by FX Matt pre-Prohibition and is the producer of the Utica Club brand and the Saranac brand. Matt Brewing Co. has been a community pillar for over 128 years and has expanded to include a brewing tour center, bar/tasting room and a gift shop. Matt Brewing Co. is based on the principles of family, quality & innovation, and community.
Testimonial from Currier Plastics
"Early on we recognized we needed a strong, reputable firm with a regional presence. Dermody, Burke & Brown took the time to understand our business challenges and offered us valuable advice that was critical to our long-term growth and success."
- John F. Currier
President, Currier Plastics, Inc.
Currier Plastics started its business in 1982 based on a foundation of integrity and a strong commitment to their customers. Currier Plastics wanted a CPA and business advisory firm that shared these same principles. Through the years DB&B has provided critical advice at each juncture of Currier’s growth. From multiple expansions and record growth to crucial financial decisions, DB&B was at Currier’s side.
Over the last 30+ years, Currier Plastics has grown into a state-of-the-art Design, Custom Blow Molding and Custom Injection Molding facility in a highly competitive market. The key to Currier’s success it that it provides the technology and performance of a large manufacturer, while maintaining the agility and responsiveness of a small company. Through precise time-to-market manufacturing and design, Currier provides integrated and innovative solutions to improve business opportunities. Its Design, Blow and Injection Molding operations have earned the reputation of providing uncompromising quality and unsurpassed customer service. Currier was awarded the Atlantic Region Winner by the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME) as a testament to its growth and success.

Don Albright, CPA
Don has been with Dermody, Burke & Brown since 1997. Don services a variety of clients and has over 20 years of auditing experience. Don performs audit, review and compilation engagements, as well as consulting services for our closely held business clients. He has also performed work for a variety of tax-exempt clients including unions, auxiliary services at SUNY schools, museums and HUD-assisted housing companies, among others.
Don is a graduate of Columbia College. He is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

David Corey, Jr., CPA
David has been in public accounting for over twenty years, all at Dermody, Burke & Brown. He leads the tax department at the firm across four offices. David developed and leads the Firm’s Agribusiness niche and also works with family owned, closely-held businesses in a wide variety of industries including the Manufacturing and Construction industries. With his advanced expertise, David advises clients on tax compliance and planning, business succession/estate planning and business operations.
More About Dave
David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bob Jones University. He is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He serves as a board member and is a finance committee member for the United Way of Cayuga County and is a past Board Member of the Unity House of Cayuga County. David also is a board member of the Stanley W. Metcalf Foundation, Inc. and the D.E. French Foundation, Inc.

Karen Hovey, CPA, CFE/CFF
Karen Hovey is a Principal in the Tax Department at Dermody, Burke & Brown CPAs, LLC. She has over 30 years of experience in audit, tax, and accounting services. She specializes in the preparation and review of complex individual and business returns, including multi-state returns.
She has over 20 years of experience as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and has worked on a variety of fraud cases and internal control reviews. Karen also has experience in financial statement preparation and review, including audits, reviews, and compilations for both business and tax-exempt organizations.
Education & Professional Certifications
Karen has a bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University and is member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). She is also a Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) member of the AICPA. She currently serves as a board member and chair of the Audit Committee for AccessCNY and as a board member of AURORA of Central New York, Inc. She is a former treasurer for the Upstate Chapter of the ACFE.


Carolyn Sturick, CPA, CITP, CEO
Carolyn S. Sturick, is theChief Executive Officer of Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC. As CEO, Carolyn focuses on setting the company’s future course through strategic growth, ensuring continued client success, and maintaining the personal relationships vital to a successful firm. With over 30 years of experience in the areas of consulting, auditing, and accounting services across various sectors, including manufacturing, family-owned businesses, and not-for-profits, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal relationships and a strong firm culture.
In addition to her leadership as CEO, Carolyn has extensive technical expertise and is a key member of the firm's Quality Assurance Committee. She also served as Chief Operating Officer for over a decade.
Education & Professional Certifications
Carolyn also has served as Treasurer of a local not-for-profit organization, East Syracuse Minoa Education Foundation, and has many years of involvement in the Festival of Races. Carolyn is a graduate of SUNY Oswego. Carolyn is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is also credentialed by the AICPA as a Certified Information Technology Professional.
