Auditor Malpractice: Five Things Litigators Should Know About Generally Accepted Auditing Standards
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Nine Steps to Optimization of the Audit Committee
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GAAP to IFRS
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Debt is in the Details-What CFOs and Attorneys Need to Know about Securitization Accounting and Recent Amendments to FAS 140 Disclosure Requirements
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Two Threats to Sound Accounting by Banks and Thrifts
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Federal Takeover of Financial Reporting Standards
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Accounting & Tax Group Case Studies
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We have built our reputation as trusted accountants and business advisors by providing pragmatic, solid advice that helps our clients meet their goals and objectives. Our difference is in our approach. At Russell Novak & Company LLP (RNCO), we begin by understanding how our clients operate financially.

Providing meaningful accounting input and tax preparation that aids growth and development is surely an important part of what we do. But to do it well, extremely well, means immersing ourselves in the way our clients’ businesses operate financially. Understanding what they want to accomplish, and acting as a partner in mapping out the future are key to driving financial results that create long term relationships. That is our measure for success.

Our primary focus is mid-size businesses. We also counsel high net-worth individuals. We make every effort to listen better, look closer, dig deeper and ultimately find the solutions that might not initially appear. We are driven to help our clients set and reach their goals.



Our areas of expertise include Business Consulting, Tax Reporting and Representation, Accounting & Tax Support, Corporate Controls, Entity Selection, Acquisitions and Divestitures and more.

In addition, the Accounting & Tax Group offers a fluency in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). Partner Barry Jay Epstein, Ph.D., CPA, served as the lead author of 26 annual editions of, Wiley GAAP (1985 through 2010), 14 annual editions of Wiley IFRS (1997 through 2010), and several other works on U.S. GAAP and international accounting standards, all published by John Wiley & Sons. He is also the author of The Handbook of Accounting and Auditing, published by RIA, the tax and accounting business of Thomson Reuters.

We specialize in serving the following types of businesses, among others:


The Accounting & Tax Group at RNCO operates from a broad base of knowledge and skill. Yet everything we do has a singular focus—looking harder for winning solutions for our clients. No “business-as-usual” attitudes here. Our solution-based focus is seen in the following areas of expertise:

Benefit Plan Audits click to view >>
Business Consulting
Financial Statement Audits/Reviews/Compilations
Income Tax Planning/Returns/Compliance
Estate, Gift and Trust Tax Planning
Like-Kind Exchange (Sect. 1031)
Entity Choice Planning
IRS Representation
Regulatory Reporting Assistance
Business Acquisition and Divestiture Planning
Global Investment Performance Standards
(GIPS) Performance Reviews
Association for Investment Management & Research
(AIMR) Performance Reviews
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Accounting/Tax Planning for High Net-Worth Individuals


Our partners have worked both in the business world and have refined their skills at national accounting firms. We each have a deep roster of business and individual clients. Yet, every client belongs to all the RNCO Accounting & Tax Group partners and the talented staff of accounting and tax associates. Our commitment is for you to keep more of what you’ve earned; what is rightfully yours. We want to help you reach your goals and we are dedicated to helping you build your future. Imagine that!

click on Partner to view profile
Russell Novak, CPA
Douglas Blankenberger, CPA
Richard Hanson, CPA
Robb Zerfass, CPA

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