About Your Local CPA, Ellenton CPA

Laura, CGMA, CPA, is the founder and president of Ellenton CPA, LLC, a boutique Accounting and Tax firm specializing in outsourced executive leadership in the areas of Finance, Tax, Accounting, and Strategy.
With keen entrepreneurial instincts and clarity of vision, Laura uses her varied skills to carry clients through rapid and continuous growth. Companies include large multi-national manufacturers, national contractors, and various small businesses for which she has served as CFO and Chief Financial Strategist. She received her Bachelors in Accounting, Masters in Accounting, and MBA from Saint Leo University, and is a licensed CPA. As a Certified Financial Forensics accountant (CFF), Laura possesses the specialized skills and experience required in investigative accounting and litigation support. Laura also earned the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation through her years of service as a CFO to multi-national organizations. This designation is a testament to her depth of experience and education and is only awarded to individuals that have a proven track record of combined financial expertise and business acumen in achieving sustainable business success.

In addition to being an active member of both the AICPA and FICPA, Laura has held the positions of member of the FICPA Board of Directors Standing Committee on Finance and Office Advisory, the FICPA Board of Directors Committee on Investment Policies, Florida State Director for the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Past President for the Timberline Users Group, and an active member of various other philanthropic and community-focused organizations. Laura is passionate about watching her staff learn and grow and helping her clients navigate to financial success. Outside of work, Laura loves sailing and living on the water.

Originally from Chicago, Brittany moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2005. With a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida, Brittany joined the eCPA team in 2017 and is actively pursuing her CPA license. Brittany appreciates the family atmosphere at ECPA where she is responsible for tax work, payroll, financial statements and bookkeeping. In her free time, she loves outdoor activities, especially the beach and spending time with her family.

From South Bend, Indiana, Bill is a licensed CPA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and a major in Accounting. He owned William R Hanna CPA, a full service accounting firm in South Bend from 1982-2021. His responsibilities at eCPA include assisting staff with tax and accounting issues and reviewing tax returns and financial statements. Bill says, "I enjoy the challenges presented to me in helping assure that the services provided to the client are of the highest caliber. I enjoy the opportunity to mentor staff in the preparation of all types of tax returns." His personal interests include golf, reading about US history and past presidents, and attending car cruises. He also enjoys volunteering his services to many non-profit organizations.

Giesella is a Florida Keys native attending Saint Petersburg College and earning her Bachelor's degree. She has worked in various roles at Ellenton CPA since 2015 including, accounts payable, payroll , bookkeeping, and tax return preparation. As an aspiring student, she loves the helpful atmosphere our team members create to promote individual growth as there is always an opportunity to learn new skills. On the weekends she enjoys gaming with friends and her siblings, finding new areas to explore and spending time with her family.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and years of experience in accounting, billing and invoicing in a variety of industries, Rachael is an integral member of the eCPA team. She handles billing, invoicing, annual reports, collections, tax filings and payroll processing. Rachael says, "Our work environment is amazing and everyone is helpful and outgoing. I like that I have room to grow and I am learning new things daily."A Florida native from New Port Richey, she is interested in computer software and enjoys crafting and gaming with her family.

Currently a senior studying at the University of South Florida, Gabe is working on his Bachelors in accounting with plans to pursue his Masters in accounting and his CPA license. As accounting intern at eCPA, Gabe assists with bookkeeping, processing payroll and special projects. Gabe says, "What I like best about this job is the friendly atmosphere and how everyone is there to help with a smile on their face." Outside of work, Gabe likes playing soccer, exercising, hitting the beach, watching movies and playing video games. As a jazz musician, he enjoys volunteering at his former high school teaching future jazz enthusiasts.

As eCPA Office Manager, Luis is focused on delivering unparalleled service to our clients and exceptional support to our staff. With over 35 years of managerial experience, Luis knows that providing the proper resources and a healthy work environment will enable us to exceed your expectations. Luis is a great asset to our team. Born in Peru, he has traveled extensively, and is bilingual. He is an avid sports fan, enjoys movies, and loves spending time with his children and granddaughter. He most enjoys witnessing the personal and financial successes of all of the ECPA employees and clients.

For Jaicee, working at eCPA provides a "fun, open, and interactive environment of professionals sharing knowledge and truly living our core values of excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship and integrity." As a Senior Staff Accountant and Quality Control Reviewer, Jaicee describes his responsibilities as reviewer, mentor, and self-proclaimed cheerleader. His previous experience encompasses full accounting function, taxation, risk management, auditing, and CFO services. Most of his corporate career has been in telecommunications but he also managed multicultural teams in the accounting and auditing fields and mentored accounting students in the educational arena. His personal interests include running, music concerts, traveling, experiencing other cultures and food, and mentoring students from first year to final exams and in their personal growth and development. He is from the small farm town of Standerton, in South Africa.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - AICPA;
• Fellow Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) – CIMA
• Global Certified Management Accountant (GCMA) – CIMA;
• Chartered Accountant (South Africa) (CA(SA))– SAICA
• Bachelor of Commerce in Law
• Masters of Commerce - Taxation
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Taxation
• Professional Tax Preparer – Universal Accounting

As a Senior Staff Accountant and CFO at eCPA,Suz is responsible for preparingand maintaining accurate financial statements, budgets, and analytics for our clients. This includes ensuring compliance with financial regulations, analyzing assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses, taxes, and other financial transactions. She specializes in managing cash flow and financial risk management to assist clients with dynamic business strategies that drive profitability. Suz brings invaluable experience in the field of accounting and financial management to eCPA. Previously, she served as a Partner at SMB & Associates, South Africa, and as a Project Coordinator at KPMG Global Statutory Audit Centre of Excellence in Hungary. Suz says at eCPA she most appreciates that "the dynamic environment fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing me to apply my skills to solve intricate financial challenges and guide clients towards profitability. Moreover, the company's commitment to precision and proactive measures aligns perfectly with my professional values, making every day at eCPA both challenging and rewarding." Beyond professional endeavors, Suz has a passion for travel and exploration, She is a host mother to foreign exchange high school students, actively involved in Toastmasters, enjoys cooking, photography, reading, gardening and hiking.

• CIMA Professional Qualification
• Additional key subjects: Australia Income Tax Law and Aspects of Company Law
• Certificate in Value-Added Tax
• The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
• The South African Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB)
• Honours Baccalaureus Computations and Certificate of Theory of Accounting
• Honours Baccalaureus Commercii (Economics)
• Associate Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) – AICPA &/ CIMA
• Global Certified Management Accountant (GCMA) – AICPA & CIMA
• Chartered Accountant South Africa (CA(SA) – SAICA

Megan holds a BSBA from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in marketing and management. She brings a diverse skillset to eCPA, including accounting, office management, purchasing, and marketing experience.With more than 20 years in construction accounting, payables, and contract management, restaurant product marketing and distribution, military contract purchasing, work with an international nonprofit, and safety training for OSHA, Megan is well suited to understand and help meet the varied accounting needs of our clients. Megan says, "I love the continuous challenge of working with various clients to learn what are the pain points in their workflow and help them develop better systems of information management. I really enjoy problem solving new business challenges as a company grows and changes." She is an avid reader and a dog lover. She enjoys traveling with her family on mini-excursions to explore their new home state of Florida. Megan is an active alumnae member of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

Since earning her Bachelors Degree in Accounting/Finance from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, Darcy has been working in the public accounting field at both large and small firms. Her current responsibilities at eCPA include bookkeeping, payroll, and tax returns. Darcy likes the whole dynamic of working at eCPA. She likes how organized everything is and that everyone is very helpful. Her personal interests include camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and just generally being outdoors. Some of her hobbies involve gardening, baking with sourdough, and reading.

Barbara is responsible for printing, packaging, and sending tax returns to clients for eSignatures and receiving the signed copies back from the client. She manages the eCPA client portal uploading and downloading documents and adding new clients and supports the administrative team where needed. With 30+ years of experience working in the Certified Public Accounting field, Barbara is well versed in all the ins and outs of working in an accounting office. She says, "I like how welcome everyone made me feel when joining Ellenton CPA. It is such a great work environment! Laura is amazing with her positivity and willingness to answer questions to help her employees achieve their best!" Barbara is a Florida native, with deep roots in Palmetto. Born and raised in Manatee County, both of her parents’ families were early settlers in the Palmetto area. She loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. An avid bowler and member of the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, Barbara bowls on the Moose League every chance she gets. Listening to music and attending concerts with friends are also favorite pastimes.

Ann Marie graduated from College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Specialization in Accounting. She received her CPA license in 1990 and remains an active member of AICPA and PICPA. Her past work experience includes financial accounting, auditing, payroll and tax preparation, in both public accounting and private industry. At eCPA, Ann Marie is responsible for bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, financial statements and tax return preparation. She says, "I really like the friendly atmosphere and how helpful Laura and the staff are. I appreciate all the training and communication that is provided. I especially like and appreciate how organized everything is." A lifelong resident of Dallas, Pennsylvania, Ann Marie enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, working in the yard, watching Notre Dame football and going to concerts, especially Frankie Valli and Air Supply concerts.

As Full Charge Bookkeeper, Katherine is responsible for bookkeeping, payroll, processing 401K, KPI's, accounts payable and receivables and additional special projects. With a B.S. degree in Business Administration and her past work experience in benefits accounting, as AR specialist, credit billing, cash handling, AP specialist and customer service, Katherine is an asset to the eCPA team. She says, "at eCPA, I love that we are all a little family that helps each other succeed. Laura is very involved in our daily duties after or in between her really busy schedule and she takes the time to share her knowledge and ideas."

Originally from Oregon, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Finance, Rylan began his accounting career in Washington State overseeing all accounting operations and financial transactions for a construction company. After moving to Florida, he worked for Tampa Electric specifically dealing with payroll reconciliations and taxes. At eCPA, his primary responsibilities include daily bookkeeping posting, accounts payable and receivable. He runs payroll for clients on a weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly basis. He also handles general ledger reconciliation and produces financials monthly. Rylan says, "The best thing about working at Ellenton CPA is the environment. This team works like a family. It fosters learning and improvement as a professional and individual. The company itself also puts clients first and focuses on how we can help."

At eCPA, Regina is responsible for financial statement preparation, tax return preparation, and payroll processing. She attended Rasmussen College in Illinois and is a member of the National Association of Tax Preparers. Originally from Illinois, Regina moved to Florida in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys working with dogs and plans on doing volunteer work with some local shelters. About working at eCPA, Regina says, "The firm is a positive work environment. Teamwork is a foundation for consistency and workflow."

At eCPA, Rachelle’s responsibilities include financial preparation, payroll, 401K, accounts payable and receivables, and a variety of other special projects. Educated in the UK, with AAT qualification and some CIMA, Rachelle has 27 years of industry experience as Financial Manager in manufacturing and construction. Rachelle says, “There is never a day that I don’t enjoy coming into work. Everybody is so friendly and helpful. People will take time out to help with any questions I may have. There is also room for progress and moving into different kinds of accounting.” She loves spending time with her husband, walking her dogs, and discovering new places for new adventures. Being outdoors walking, at the beach, and around the pool are favorite activities. In the UK, Rachelle’s love for walking and hiking motivated her to complete several 26 mile hikes/walks to raise funds for important cancer focused charities. Her motto is, “I’m doing it for those that can’t!”

While studying Accounting at USF, Eli joined the eCPA team as an Accounting Intern. At USF, he is a part of the Accounting Society, Math Club and Investment Club. He is a Microsoft Office Specialist and Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Eli has previously worked as an A/P specialist and plans on obtaining his CPA license. From the age of 10, Eli worked in collision repair, welding, paint prep, and assembly. He nearly chose collision repair as a career but ultimately chose accounting instead. At Ellenton CPA, his primary responsibilities include processing and filing tax returns, filing extensions, monthly A/R and A/P related tasks and assisting the team with a variety of other tasks. When asked what he likes best about working at eCPA, Eli says, "I love how helpful and welcoming everyone is to questions and how everyone is willing to chip in to any task that may need to be done." Eli's hobbies include baseball (Baltimore Orioles fan) and coin collecting. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoys taking his younger brother to baseball games and the arcade.