Mendonca & Partners Certified Public Accountants LLC

Bios

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  Helder Mendonca, CPA

  Founding Partner

  Helder Mendonca is a founding partner of Mendonca & Partners Certified Public Accountants, LLC. He has extensive experience in dealing with clients of various sizes, industries and needs. He began his career working for KPMG, Peat Marwick where he served in the audit department on the New York office. Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. Mendonca was Vice President and Controller of U.S. Operations for Rowland Worldwide, Inc. a worldwide public relations firm and a subsidiary of Saatchi & Saatchi Plc. Mr. Mendonca’s skill set and knowledge has allowed him to successfully assist “start-up” companies with new technology, general business, organization and financial issues. He also has substantial experience with corporate and personal debt restructuring, department of labor, state and federal compliance audit issues including unemployment and payroll tax issues. With years of experience Mr. Mendonca has immeasurable knowledge in the areas of direct development of numerous major real estate projects and establishing the presence of European and Latin American companies in the United States. His areas of expertise also include manufacturing, international import/export, distribution, construction contracting, restaurant and hospitality and professional service organizations. Certified in both New York and New Jersey, Mr. Mendonca is a member of the New York and New Jersey State Societies of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English. In addition to his work at Mendonca & Partners, Mr. Mendonca serves on numbers Boards including the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, Provident Bank Advisory Board, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Executive and Finance Boards.

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  Robert G D'Uva, CPA

  Audit Partner

  Mr. D’Uva heads the auditing, forensic accounting and financial reporting practice at Mendonca & Partners and is personally responsible for clients in the government, not-for-profit, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and retailing industries. Throughout Mr. D’Uva’s tenure he has successfully implemented and/or upgraded numerous accounting systems for clients of the firm. He is also experienced in Federal and state tax compliance and audit issues. Upon graduating from Pace University, Mr. D’Uva spent the first 13 years of his career with KPMG Peat Marwick. While working there, he gained a diversified background in several industries including large multination Fortune 100 clients, particularly those in the motion picture production and distribution industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, textile, apparel and financial services. In 1990, Mr. D’Uva was recruited by Rowland Worldwide, Inc. a worldwide public relations firms and subsidairy of Saatchi & Saatchi Plc. While working there he served as a member of of the Agency’s Executive Management Committee as an Executive Vice President and Chief Financail Officer for U.S. Opertations. He was responsible for all administrative, personnel, financial, and accounting matters. Also, while at Rowland Worldwide, Inc., Mr. D’Uva re-engineered a number of operational systems and implemented cost containment controls leading to reduced staffing levels, more effcient operating routines and positve cash flow. His time in these roles has lead to many successfully negotiated client contracts and supplier affiliations. Mr. D’Uva is an active member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Rotary Club of Elizabeth. He is also a Board Member of the Family and Children’s Services, Inc.

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  Amedeo Luongo, CPA, CGMA

  Managing Partner

  Mr. Luongo currently serves as the Managing Partner of Mendonca & Partners, Primus Inter Pares he leads a complementary team of independent thinkers who work collaboratively to bring a personalized approach and a full array of customized solutions and value-added services to clients. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kean University in Union, NJ with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant combining financial expertise and business acumen to achieve sustainable business success. In the Gestalt tradition, as a skilled and trusted financial advisor, auditor and entrepreneur, Mr. Luongo understands not only accounting and finance but also strategy, operations, human element and performance connecting all aspects of business. His experience spans many industries and disciplines with a special emphasis on the Construction and Real Estate, the Food, Beverage & Hospitality and International industries. His skill set and knowledge lies in the ability to lead, educate and provide the catalyst necessary to achieve the desired results. He offers a wide variety of unique professional services to businesses at the domestic and international level. His ability to comprehensively and systematically analyze complex matters in planning, auditing, cash flow management, risk management, business intelligence, implementation of accounting systems, internal control, cost analysis, as well as, in helping protect the reputation and integrity of his clients is second to none. He has advised clients in the private sector, non-profit organizations and local governments. Mr. Luongo was instrumental for the implementation of GASB 34 for one of the largest school districts in the State of New Jersey. Mr. Luongo is uniquely positioned to serve business owners of varying cultural descents. He is fluent in Italian and proficient in both Spanish and Portuguese. Prior to receiving his B.S. in accounting, Mr. Luongo earned a teaching degree from the Italian Department of Education Istituto Magistrale Teresa Confalonieri, Campagna (SA), Italy and has served as an adjunct professor of accounting for Union County College. He has also represented the Italian community living in New Jersey as a statewide elected representative in the very first official suffrage authorized by the Italian Government of Italians living abroad--COMITES (Comitati degli Italiani residenti all’estero). He is a member of the AICPA, CIMA, NJSSCPA, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, the US-Spain Chamber of Commerce and an Independent Member of the BDO Alliance USA.

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  João P Santos, CPA

  Partner

  As the youngest partner and member of the Executive Board at Mendonca & Partners, Mr. Santos is responsible for numerous clients of the firm. His knowledge spans many industries, with an emphasis on service organizations, namely law firms, restaurant and hospitality organizations, construction, wholesale and retail industries. He has significant experience in tax planning and budgeting for closely held business and high net worth individuals. Mr. Santos expertise includes the formation and utilization of captive insurance companies that allow corporations to assert greater control over risk exposure; thus creating a wide range of operational and tax benefits that make captives advantageous to the owners. Additionally, he heads the firm's Foreign Compliance Department that insures full compliance with the current preparation of the Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). and Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) for any US Person, as defined by the IRS, holding a financial interest in or signature authority over a foreign financial account, as well as the Voluntary Disclosure Program for delinquent filers. In an effort to best assist one of his niche industries, Mr. Santos has received extensive training and is a Certified Independent Consultant (CIC) in PCLaw and PCLawPro, a general ledger and integrated time billing, accounting and practice management software for law firms. Mr. Santos is a member of the New Jersey State Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. He is also fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish.

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  Antonio G Martin, CPA

  Director

  Mr. Martin graduated with honors from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and has over two decades of experience in the private sector where he worked as a controller in the manufacturing and construction industries. He is also experienced in the areas of employment, sales, and use tax, personal income taxes, and the administration and implementation of internal controls and accounting systems. Mr. Martin joined Mendonca & Partners in 2005 and heads the Small Business Department of the firm and is the Chair of the Human Resources Committee. Mr. Martin is fluent in Spanish. And he is directly responsible for numerous clients of the firm, with special emphasis on high net-worth individuals and closely-owned businesses in advertising, professional service organization, retailing, manufacturing and distribution industries. Mr. Martin enjoys working with clients on tax planning from formation to dissolution, liquidations, business consulting and strategic planning. Mr. Martin has represented numerous business and individual clients before the IRS and state agencies and successfully settled many clients’ cases and Offers in Compromise. Mr. Martin is involved for many local organizations and Chambers of Commerce and as an independent member of an international group, he is able to call upon member firms around the world to provide our clients with local expertise, around the block, across the country or around the globe. Mr. Martin is constantly striving to provide superior client service at all times. He works effectively and efficiently to exceed client expectations ensuring a continued relationship and lives by this philosophy every day.

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  Sandra C Ferreira

  Manager

  Ms. Ferreira is a manager at Mendonca & Partners and has been with the firm since graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is in charge of write-up services, not-for-profit entities registration and compliance and system automation services. Ms. Ferreira is also responsible for training and supervising the firm’s associates, the review and handling of monthly management reports and financial statements for many of the firm’s clients. In addition, Ms. Ferreira handles a majority of the in-house IT work that is performed and is the liason between Mendonca & Partners and their IT company. Ms. Ferreira uses her in-depth knowledge of accounting software’s such as QuickBooks®, Peachtree and Netsuite to provide clients with up-to-date financial information and analyses to assist them to grow and manage their businesses. She is well versed in accounting software automations, not-for-profit entity registrations and tax planning for owners of closely held businesses and high net worth individuals. She has extensive experience in construction companies, not-for-profit organizations and other organizations requiring audits in the accordance with Government Auditing Standards, the Yellow Book, OMB Circular A-133 and the HUD audit guide. Her specialty clientel consists of bakeries, construction, not-for-profit, healthcare, manufacturing, wholesalers, importers, real estate developers and service organizations. Currently, Ms. Ferreira is the Mendonca & Partners Executive Board Secretary and is also a member of various other committees within the firm. She is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish.

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  Laury Mercado, CPA

  Manager

  Ms. Mercado is a manger at Mendonca & Partners and has been with the firm since 1998 serving first as an intern and as an associate upon graduating from Rutgers University, Currently, Ms. Mercado is a member of Mendonca & Partners Executive Board as well as the Public Relations and Human Resources executive committees. Ms. Mercado has managed the accounting and the monthly reporting function for a large multi-location international retail chain. Completing the company’s monthly reporting package in accordance with parent company reporting timetables. Ms. Mercado has wholesale and retail industries knowledge, as well as, diverse experience in restaurants, hospitality and healthcare organizations. During her tenure at Mendonca & Partners, Ms. Mercado has developed a true niche in the areas of international taxation and finance, tax planning for high net-worth individual taxpayers and assistance with corporate and personal multi-state taxation issues. She also has experience in auditing local governments, not-for-profit organizations and other organizations requiring audits in accordance with Government Auditing Standards, OMB Circular A-133, the Yellow Book and the HUD audit guide. To further assist her clients in the most up-to-date and efficient manner, Ms. Mercado has received extensive training in various accounting software packages, such as, QuickBooks®, Business Works and MAS 90. In February of 2001, Ms. Mercado received her license to practice as a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Ms. Mercado is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Portuguese.

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  Heloisa Santos

  Manager

  Ms. Santos currently holds the position of manager at Mendonca & Partners. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Caldwell College in Caldwell, NJ with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and has been with the firm since her graduation. Ms. Santos is an extremely well-rounded professional with experience in many industries: restaurant and hospitality, construction and real estate, manufacturing and distribution to name a few. Ms. Santos is an excellent team member and a proactive in-charge accountant responsible for a multitude of clients and staff. She has a very positive attitude and always at her best providing her clients real value in addition to the accounting, advisory or tax services such as audits, reviews, compilations, tax returns, business consulting, and training. Ms. Santos uses her broad knowledge and exceptional research skills on tax and accounting to provide clients with up-to-date financial information and analysis to help manage and grow their businesses. She is very knowledgeable about many different types of accounting software, such as QuickBooks® and Point of Sale (POS) systems that she has put into operation for many of her clients. She diligently manages her staff and the timely closing of the books and provides effective tax planning for owners of closely held businesses and high net worth individuals. Ms. Santos is also part of the Mendonca & Partners Executive Board and is a member of various other committees within the firm. She is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish.

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