Not-For-Profit Organizations |
At Dermody, Burke & Brown (DB&B), our work with not-for-profit clients isn't a sideline - it is a significant portion of our practice. In 60+ years, DB&B's highly experienced team has worked with more than 200 not-for-profit organizations. Therefore, we are very well-versed in the day-to-day issues that most not-for-profit organizations face and can offer proactive solutions. Should an unusual issue arise, DB&B's standing in the Allinial Global Not-for-Profit Committee allows our team to tap into the wealth of knowledge of other top not-for-profit accounting practices around the world.
DB&B has a deep base of knowledge and industry experience, allowing us to provide organizations with proactive solutions. We routinely give our clients new ideas and suggestions for improving their operational efficiency and effectiveness. For every audit engagement, our team provides a "Letter of Observations and Recommendations" that: (1) highlights relevant trends and "best practices" in the client's niche; (2) offers pertinent observations regarding the client's practices; and (3) makes suggestions for improvement. We also regularly assist our not-for-profit clients with board presentations, including an in-depth review of the audit and a summary of our findings and other observations and recommendations.
We strive to keep our clients apprised of best practices, industry trends and developments, and changes in standards and regulations through our niche-specific seminars, "Thought Leadership" emails and our Nonprofit Insights newsletters. To ensure that it is a two-way conversation, our Members/Principals reach out to our clients often so that we can understand the specific challenges they face and how DB&B can help.
For more information email info@dbbllc.com or call 315-471-9171 to contact:
Shannon Nelson, CPA, CFE, CITP
Shannon joined Dermody, Burke & Brown in 1989. She is the Member serving as the Firm’s Audit and Accounting Department Director and serves as the lead Member on many clients in healthcare and not-for-profit industries. Shannon is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and specializes in the prevention and detection of fraud. Shannon has been a guest speaker on the topics of internal control, fraud prevention and financial literacy at various venues.
She is a graduate of St. John Fisher College and is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Shannon is also credentialed by the AICPA as a Certified Information Technology Professional. She currently serves as the Assistant Treasurer for Meals on Wheels of Syracuse. Shannon is a former board member of the Women’s Fund of Central New York and is past treasurer of the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Foundation.
Thomas Palmer, CPA
Tom has been with the Dermody, Burke & Brown for over twenty years. His experience in public accounting includes various external and internal audit engagements for not-for-profit organizations and for profit entities. As a member of the Governmental niche and Not-for-Profit niche, Tom has served as a lead auditor for a variety of organizations, including those receiving funds from the NYS Education Department, Health and Human Services, OASAS, HUD, and the United Way.
He meets each of the continuing professional education (CPE) requirements imposed by the “Yellow Book” issued by the Government Accountability Office. Tom is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors. He is a member of the United Way of CNY Emerging Leaders group and a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Travis Smith, CPA, MBA
Travis has been with Dermody, Burke & Brown for over fifteen years providing services to variety of not-for-profit organizations, including foundations, human service providers, and health care organizations. He has extensive experience in consulting and advising his clients on a variety of issues, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit projects.
Travis holds a Bachelor and Master Degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. 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 is also a member of the Not-for-Profit section of the AICPA and serves on the board of directors for Helio Health, Inc.
Carolyn Sturick, CPA, CITP, CEO
Carolyn joined Dermody, Burke & Brown in 1989 and serves as the firm's Chief Executive Officer effective 2023. Carolyn previously after served as the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer for over 13 years. As CEO, Carolyn focuses on setting the company’s future course through strategic growth, ensuring continued client success, and maintaining the personal relationships so vital to a successful Firm. Beyond her position as CEO, Carolyn brings over thirty years of experience in the areas of consulting, auditing and accounting to a wide range of not-for-profit clients and those requiring federal single audits. She is a strong resource within the Firm for technical issues and serves on the Quality Assurance Committee.
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.