Articles
Beginning in the 19th century, some of the U.S.’s wealthiest industrialists quietly abandoned Wall Street banks to hire their own teams of experts to discreetly manage, preserve and grow their business operations and family wealth for future generations. Today, these family offices have moved beyond the shadows of the Rockefellers, Morgans and Vanderbilts and expanded […]
In this episode associate director Heath Standorf shares the firm’s approach to leveraging technology for families and family office clients.
In this episode Associate Director of Family Office Services Heath Standorf explains how high-net-worth families benefit from family office services.
The IRS issued important guidance concerning an expansion of the COVID-19-related paid sick and family leave tax credits available to employers under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) enacted earlier this year. Background Congress introduced the emergency paid sick leave and family and medical leave programs in 2020 as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response […]
Couples who were in the midst of a divorce or who were preparing to start the process are finding the COVID-19 pandemic has turned their planning upside-down and added more stress to an already difficult situation. While many individuals are continuing to follow through on their divorce plans, their financial pictures may have changed substantially […]
It is not uncommon for entrepreneurs to go into business with family members or to employ close relatives to work in their companies. In fact, putting family members on your payroll can not only help them earn their own money and gain valuable work experience, but it can also provide business owners with some unique […]
Small-business owners who use a portion of their homes regularly and exclusively for business purposes may qualify for a home office deduction that can help them save money of their taxes and improve their bottom line. For purposes of claiming this deduction, a home is defined as a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home, boat or […]
Financial crimes against the elderly more than quadrupled between 2013 and 2017, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). While anyone can fall prey to these scams, the elderly are typically more at risk. They may be challenged with the Internet of things and using new technology safely, or they may be unfamiliar with […]
A recent circuit court decision in Palm Beach County, Fla., has the potential to change three decades of case law concerning the valuation of business goodwill and equitable distribution of business assets during divorce proceedings. The trial court in the matter of Stephanos v Stephanos accepted the wife’s expert opinion that none of the business’s residual value, […]
Businesses and their employees are constantly bombarded by a rising threat of email and text scams that have resulted in millions of dollars in security breaches, lost data, stolen money, interruption to normal business operations and longer-term reputational damage. While businesses should bolster their defenses with a range of cybersecurity hardware and software solutions, they […]
With proper estate planning, people typically execute a series of documents naming their family members or friends to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so themselves. Children need similar protections when they age out of being minors and take on adult responsibilities. Under most state laws, the […]
Phishing scams and business email compromises (BECs) continue to make headlines, holding the titles as the most common cybersecurity breach method and the most frequently reported crimes to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Yet, even as businesses step up efforts to help employees learn to recognize the warning signs of these attacks, criminals […]
The frequency and sophistication of cybersecurity attacks continue to intensify, leaving businesses, governments and not-for-profits with an ever-present risk of falling victim to data breaches. These data breaches can impact normal business operations and erode public trust, leading to irreparable reputational damage, loss of customers and even litigation, fines and penalties. While no one tool […]
According to the latest industry reports, ransomware attacks surged in 2023, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all data breaches and costing businesses worldwide an average of $5.13 million.[1] More alarming still, businesses’ security teams detected only 33 percent of all ransomware breaches, whereas 27 percent were disclosed by the attackers, and 40 percent were uncovered […]
Wire payments continue to be one the quickest and easiest methods for individuals to send large amounts of money to others anywhere in the world. However, these electronic transfers made through banks or third-party service providers like Western Union can be rife with fraud and legal risks for the parties involved. Some of the most […]
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Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Milwaukee (WI) Many Milwaukee and Wisconsin businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Tulsa (OK) Many Tulsa and Oklahoma businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – St. Louis (MO) Many St. Louis and Missouri businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Wichita (KS) Many Wichita and Kansas businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Phoenix (AZ) Many Phoenix and Arizona businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Manchester (NH) Many Manchester and New Hampshire businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Fargo (ND) Many Fargo and North Dakota businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Buffalo (NY) Many Buffalo and New York businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Billings (MT) Many Billings and Montana businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Boston (MA) Many Boston and Massachusetts businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Boise (ID) Many Boise and Idaho businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Little Rock (AR) Many Little Rock and Arkansas businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Kansas City (MO) Many Kansas City and Missouri businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – San Diego (CA) Many San Diego and California businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Salt Lake (UT) Many Salt Lake City and Utah businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate […]
Press Releases
MIAMI, July 15, 2024 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced the promotion of 39 firm members, including four new associate directors. The promoted individuals work in departments across the fine, including tax, assurance, forensics, IT, marketing and finance. Tal Aviv, CPA, was newly promoted to associate director of Tax Services, where he […]
MIAMI, June 5, 2023 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs has announced the addition of Brandon Bowers as director of the new Managed Cyber Solutions practice. The Managed Cyber Solutions group will offer outsourced IT, help desk and security services, as well as scalable systems for reporting, tracking and monitoring. Bowers joins the firm […]
MIAMI, July 15, 2021 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced it has promoted 34 firm members, including three to the position of associate director. Rick Bazzani, CPA, was promoted from senior manager to associate director of Tax Services, where he will continue to focus his practice on tax-efficient estate planning for individuals […]
MIAMI, Jan. 1, 2019 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted four firm members to director. This class of promotions reflects the firm’s growth, diversity of practices and commitment to promoting from within. The new directors are Robert Aldir, CPA; Laurence Bernstein, CPA; Andrew Leonard, CPA; and Ken Vitek, CPA. “We are proud to […]
July 15, 2022 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced the promotion of eight professionals to associate directors within the firm’s Tax Services and Assurance and Advisory Services practices. “Our firm was founded on the principle of creating a life-long learning environment, where every firm member receives the tools to cultivate knowledge, enhance […]
MIAMI, February 1, 2022 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced that Scott Bouchner, CMA, CVA, CFE, CIRA, has been named director-in-charge of the firm’s Forensic and Advisory Services practice. Berkowitz Pollack Brant’s CEO Joseph L. Saka commented, “Our forensic practice has grown tremendously due to Rich Pollack’s leadership. With Scott’s knowledge and […]
MIAMI, Jan 2, 2022– Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced that Scott Bouchner, CMA, CVA, CFE, CIRA, has been named director-in-charge of the firm’s Forensic and Advisory Services practice. Berkowitz Pollack Brant’s CEO Joseph L. Saka commented, “Our forensic practice has grown tremendously due its leadership. With Scott’s knowledge and expertise, we look […]
NEW YORK, January 28, 2021 – BayBridge Real Estate Capital, a company of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs, today announced that 40-year real estate and capital markets veteran Mark Niman has joined the firm as executive managing director. Niman has a wealth of experience executing transactions and representing clients throughout the United States, Canada, […]
MIAMI, February 27, 2020 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs has promoted Guillermo Campos, CPA, to director. Multi-lingual in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, he focuses on international and domestic tax matters for high-net-worth individuals and families, trusts and estates, and closely held family companies. “We are proud to recognize Guillermo’s achievements,” said Joseph […]
MIAMI, May 3, 2018 – Arthur J. Dichter, JD, LLM, has been elected to the board of the Miami Branch of Society of Trust and Estate Professionals (STEP Miami). Dichter is a member of the International Tax Practice of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants. An active member of STEP Miami for seven years, Dichter […]
MIAMI, FL, July 15, 2017 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted two firm members to director. Hector Aguililla, CPA, is a director in the Audit and Attest practice and Anthony Gutierrez, CPA, is a director in the Tax Services practice. Berkowitz Pollack Brant CEO Joseph L. Saka commented, “We are proud to […]
ATLANTA, GA – July 9, 2012 – PKF North America (PKF NA) today announced that Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has joined its ranks, giving the organization 100 members in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Berkowitz Pollack Brant is currently comprised of more than 135 accounting professionals, including 17 directors. The firm has three […]
People
For more than 25 years Deana Love has worked exclusively with high-net-worth families and their closely held businesses and family offices. She designs trusts and creates advanced income tax, financial and estate plans Love holds experience from a Big Four accounting firm and is an expert in navigating complex landscapes. She is adept in integrating […]
Roy Shmuel has provided tax, accounting, consulting and advisory services to clients for more than 10 years. His client base consists of high-net-worth individuals and families, family offices and closely held businesses in the U.S. and abroad. Shmuel also assists in planning and compliance for domestic and foreign trusts. He is fluent in English and […]
For more than 20 years Brandon Bowers has served as an outsourced information technology resource to companies, growing firms and family offices. He and his team provide full-service help desk and technology consulting as well as cybersecurity and related IT support services to clients in the accounting, financial, government, healthcare and legal sectors. Bowers has […]
Stephanie Gutierrez provides tax compliance and consulting, estate and wealth management planning and domestic trust services to clients. Gutierrez’s client base includes high-net-worth individuals, family offices and investment firms.
Jason Morley has worked with financially successful families for more than two decades. As a member of the firm’s Family Office Services group, he is responsible for the daily counsel and advisement of ultra-high net worth families. Prior to helping establish BPB’s Family Office practice, Morley was a senior manager of family office services with […]
Tim Brown leads the firm’s strategy development and delivery of services for high-net-worth, cross-border families, entrepreneurs and closely held businesses. With a diverse career background, Brown has experience leading companies, both established and start-ups, building family office governance structures and advising complex single-family offices on asset protection and deployment. Before joining BPB, he led the […]
Heath Standorf offers consulting and advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, families and closely held businesses. Having previously worked with Goldman Sachs Family Office in New York City, Standorf has a valuable background in providing sophisticated tax and estate planning advice to entrepreneurs and top-level executives, including private equity and hedge fund managers.
Tony Gutierrez has provided tax compliance and consulting services to clients for nearly 25 years. His diverse client base includes high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and closely held businesses conducting business in the U.S. and abroad. Gutierrez specializes in FATCA reporting, foreign and domestic trusts, income and estate planning matters.
Guillermo Campos has nearly 25 years of experience handling international and domestic tax matters for clients. He specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals, trusts and estates, closely held family companies, including corporations and partnerships with their pre-immigration tax planning issues. Campos advises foreign and domestic high-net-worth families on U.S. income, gift and estate tax matters, cross-border […]
Jairan Shirazi has nearly 10 years of experience providing federal, state and international tax consulting and compliance services to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and growing companies. Shirazi specializes in international tax compliance and consulting for individuals, partnerships and U.S. real property interests. She is fluent in Farsi and Spanish.
Joseph Leuchter works closely with individuals and businesses on their accounting, compliance and planning. The tax compliance component of his practice is primarily real estate focused and includes complex partnership structures and all aspects of federal and state taxes. In addition, he has a specialized focus on obtaining research and development tax credits.
Claribel Velazquez has nearly 10 years of experience providing tax compliance and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals, families, closely owned businesses and real estate clients. Velazquez has Big Four firm experience and specializes in complex transactions involving taxation of real estate partnerships, corporate entities and high-net-worth individuals in the U.S. and abroad.
Cotter has deep experience leveraging technology, business practices and operational leadership to help Fortune 50 companies, mid-market and entrepreneurial companies reach their goals. He has held leadership and consulting roles in a wide range of industries. Cotter’s multi-functional expertise includes strategy, management consulting, technology, process improvement, operations and accounting.
Debra Sears has provided accounting services for more than 20 years. She specializes in privately held business as well as not for profit organizations and brings a wealth of knowledge to business owners, entrepreneurs and executives. Sears has developed a focus on cloud accounting systems and process improvement to help clients automate procedures to generate […]
Rachel Gram has more than 15 years of experience providing audit, accounting and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals and a diverse range of clients in the private sector. She focuses on helping ensure clients’ reporting requirements meet U.S. and international accounting standards. Gram is co-chair of the firm’s Assurance and Advisory Services practice’s Technical Advisory […]