Our Partners
Phillip K. Whittemore, CPA
Phil has over thirty-seven years of public accounting experience, and primarily provides management advisory services to clients. Phil is a native of Glens Falls, New York. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Siena College in 1973 and received his designation as a Certified Public Accountant in New York State in 1983.
Paul has over thirty years of public accounting experience, and is the Managing Partner of Whittemore, Dowen and Ricciardelli, LLP. Paul is primarily responsible for accounting and auditing services to our clients. A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, Paul earned his Bachelor of Science Degree, with a major in accounting and a minor in Management from Castleton State College in 1980, and received his designation as a Certified Public Accountant in New York State in 1983.
Bob has over fifteen years of public accounting experience, with his primary focus being taxation. Bob is a native of Glens Falls, New York, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree with dual majors in Finance and Accounting from Boston University's School of Management in 1990. Bob also received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo's School of Law in 1995. Bob became certified as a public accountant in New York State in 1995.
Donna has over thirty-nine years of accounting experience, and works in the firm's audit practice. She is primarily responsible for the firm's quality control. Donna is a native of Campbell Hall, New York, and attended the State University of New York at Albany, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1972. She obtained her designation as a Certified Public Accountant in New York State in 1975.
Tim has over forty years of public accounting experience focusing primarily in recent years on specialized management and business advisory services to clients. Tim is a native of Hudson Falls, New York and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Albany majoring in Public Accounting in 1972. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1976 and has diverse experience in a number of practice and business settings.
Colin has over fifteen years of accounting experience, including service in both public accounting as well as the private sector. Colin primarily provides audit services to the firm's clients. A native of Wells,
Vermont, Colin received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from
Siena College in 2001, and became certified to practice public accounting in
New York in 2005. During 2008, Colin obtained his Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation. This designation denotes proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection, deterrence, and investigation.
Dale has over ten years of accounting experience as a Certified Public Accountant. He is primarily involved with the firm's tax department and is a Certified Financial PlannerTM Professional. Dale is a native of Ballston Spa, New York, and attended the State University of New York at Albany, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1998. Dale received his Certified Public Accountant designation in New York, in 2000, and his CFP® designation in 2004.
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Our Team
Aimee L. Andrews
Aimee joins the WDR team after several years of administrative work in the private sector. She earned her Associates of the Arts degree with a concentration in accounting from the University of Phoenix in 2012. Aimee is a member of our administrative support team. She is a native of South Glens Falls and currently resides in Fort Edward.
Dave is our firm's Tax Manager with over thirty five years of accounting experience, including service in both public accounting and in the private sector. A graduate of Clarkson University, Dave was awarded his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with great distinction in 1977. He became certified to practice public accounting in New York in 1981. Prior to joining WDR, Dave’s tax expertise was honed by progressive experience with UHY, KPMG and Golub Corporation. As Tax Manager, he focuses on tax return review, tax staff training and development, tax research, tax planning and resolution of complicated IRS and NYS tax issues. Dave is a native of Burnt Hills, New York, now resides in Clifton Park.
Diane V. Varney 
Diane is primarily involved in the accounting and bookkeeping divisions of the firm with responsibilities including annual 1099 and W-2 filings; sales, gas and use tax reporting; payroll processing and reporting. Diane also works closely with new businesses to set up their accounting from basic chart of accounts to various necessary registrations and reporting requirements. In addition, Diane is part of the tax preparation team. Diane has worked in public accounting for the past ten years, having been involved in accounting in the private sector for thirty years prior to that. She completed formal QuickBooks training in 2007 and earned the Advanced ProAdvisor Certification in 2012. Diane is a licensed NYS Notary. She is currently pursuing QuickBooks Certification in Enterprise Solutions and Point of Sale. A native of Grangerville, New York, she now resides in Clarks Mills, New York. Diane is an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 278 and coordinates their blood drives in conjunction with American Red Cross.
Erin R. Dowen
Erin provides accounting, tax, auditing, bookkeeping and payroll services to our clients. She has over five years of public accounting experience, in addition to her previous accounting work in the private sector. Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Empire State College in 2010 and is currently pursuing licensure as a certified public accountant. A native of South Glens Falls, New York, Erin now resides in Waterford, New York.
Janet M. Burns, CPA
Janet has over twenty one years of public accounting experience, providing both accounting and tax services. A native of Queensbury, New York, Janet received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Excelsior College, in 2003. Janet became certified to practice public accounting in New York in 2004.
Jarka M. Dearstyne, MBA
Jarka has almost ten years financial planning experience, having previously worked for the national financial planning firm The Ayco Company, LP, a division of Goldman Sachs . A native of Rexford, NY, Jarka received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Union College in 2001 and her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Union Graduate College in 2004. Jarka holds both her NASD Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. Given her extensive background, Jarka primarily focuses on various areas of sophisticated financial planning including tax, investments, estate planning, retirement planning, and wealth transfer. In addition, Jarka specializes in trusts, estates and complex individual clients.
John D. Roberts, CPA
John adds over seven years of accounting experience, including service in both the public and private sectors, to the WDR team. An Air Force combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, John returned stateside to attend the State University of New York at Albany. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Business in 2004. Upon graduation, John joined IBM as an inter-company accountant before becoming a member of our audit team in 2006. John earned his designation as a Certified Public Accountant in New York State in 2009. Currently, John is the Audit Manager with oversight of private and not for profit audits and also a member of our Fraud Engagement Team. In addition to his audit and fraud expertise, John provides tax and accounting services with an emphasis on small businesses, partnerships and corporation. Presently, he is pursuing licensure as a Certified Fraud Examiner and anticipating completion Fall 2012. John is a native of Granville, New York and now resides in Queensbury, New York.
Juston has approximately fifteen years of experience with a public accounting firm, providing administrative support to the firm. A native of
Lake George,
New York, Juston received his Associates Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Paul Smith's College located in Paul Smiths,
New York in 1993.
Karen A. Carpenter, CPA
Karen has over fifteen years of public accounting experience as well as over fifteen years managerial and operations experience in the private sector. She received her Associates Degree in Accounting from Adirondack Community College in 1980 and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1982. Karen became certified as a public accountant in New York in 1986. She is a native of Fort Edward, New York Karen is member of the Glens Falls Rotary and has served on the Board.
Karen E. Bombard
Karen brings thirty-nine years of experience in public accounting to the firm. Karen is involved in providing various accounting and bookkeeping services to clients, as well as in the administration of the firm. A native of
Queensbury,
New York, Karen is a graduate of
Lake George High School.
Kathleen A. Jones, CPA
Kathy is primarily involved in the accounting and auditing practice. She specializes in not for profit and government audits as well as financial statement review. Kathy is the firm’s Quality Control Director with responsibility for ensuring staff compliance with both licensing and continuing professional education requirements. She has over twenty–five years of experience in public accounting. Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Albany and graduated with honors in 1984. She received her designation as a Certified Public Accountant in New York State in 1987. Presently, she is the treasurer for Harrisena Community Church Scholarship Fund. A native of Syracuse, New York, Kathy now resides in Queensbury, New York.
Kathleen C. ("KC") Latchford
KC is a member of the firms administrative support team and frequently the initial contact for clients visiting or calling the office. She has nearly fifteen years of accounting experience in both public accounting firms and the private sector. KC's experience includes human resources, benefit administration, bookkeeping as well as extensive administrative support for accounting executives and CPA firms. She completed her Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Tarrant College of Fort Worth, Texas, in 1998. As a Navy spouse, KC has relocated numerous times and resided in six states. Originally from New Jersey, she has selected Chestertown, New York as her permanent home. KC has volunteered with numerous community organizations and school committees throughout her career.
Laura D. Ladu
Laura is a member of the firms consulting team working closely with businesses on operational challenges, growth and development strategies, infrastructure creation and special projects. A member of the tax team, she focuses on personal returns. Laura joins the WDR team with over twenty years of experience in operations, management, human resources, marketing and accounting as an executive in the private sector. She has diverse industry experience including hospitality, restaurant management, property management, retail, construction, and real estate development. Laura received her Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel & Resort Management from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987 and was awarded the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Certified Hotel Administrator, in 1994. Laura is currently pursuing her Masters in Accountancy at the University of Albany. A graduate of Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, she has held several board positions within the tourism industry as well as other civic and charitable organizations. Originally from Scotia, NY, Laura now resides in Lake George, New York.
Lydia R. Palmer
Lydia has approximately five years of experience in public accounting. She graduated with honors from Lyndon State College in 2007 with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Accounting and Business Administration. She is a member of our audit team who is primarily involved in government and not for profit audits. In addition, Lydia is experienced in individual, partnership and corporate tax returns. Currently, Lydia is pursuing certification as a public accountant. Lydia is a native of Randolph, Vermont and now resides in Hartford, New York.
Mary M. Smith
Mary has worked in public accounting for over twenty-one years, and is primarily involved in the accounting and bookkeeping practice of the firm. Mary is a native of
Fort Edward,
New York, and is a graduate of F
ort Edward High School.
Renee C. Law, MST, CPA
Renee has over ten years of accounting experience, including service in both public accounting and the private sector. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany in 1991, obtained her New York Certified Public Accountant license in 2006 and graduated with high honors from State University at Albany, in 2012 with her Master of Taxation degree. Renee is a skilled business client manager with a focus on manufacturing, retail and medical practice engagements. She is experienced in general accounting, tax and auditing. Renee has specific expertise in not for profit auditing, business tax compliance and financial statement preparation. Renee holds the office of Vice President of the Saratoga Springs / Wilton Kiwanis. A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, Renee lives in Wilton.
Robin is a 1994 graduate of the State University of New York at Potsdam, where she earned her B.A. degree in Psychology. Robin is a native of Queensbury, New York, and had two years of experience as a support professional in an accounting office before joining our team in 2011.
Roy provides accounting and tax services to our clients. As a member of our tax team, his focus is on partnership, corporate and individual return preparation. Roy has over forty years of public accounting experience. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Albany in 1971. Roy became certified as a public accountant in New York in 1977. A life long resident of Fort Ann, New York, Roy is a member of the Elks club as well as the treasurer for both the Fort Ann Cemetery and the Glens Falls Lions Club.
Stephen K. Tessino, CPA
Steve is primarily involved in the accounting and auditing practice of the firm. A member of the tax team, he specializes in corporate and partnership tax returns. In addition, Steve is responsible for the firm's information technology including developing systems, preliminary troubleshooting of all computer / network related issues and is our on site liaison with our cloud provider. He has nearly thirty years of accounting experience, including service in public accounting as well as in the private sector. Steve completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Virginia Tech in 1984 and was originally licensed in the State of Virginia to Practice Public Accounting. He became certified to practice public accounting in New York in 1989. A native of South Glens Falls, New York, Steve now resides in Queensbury. He has served as a board member for several community and civic organizations and is currently an advocate for greyhound and thoroughbred rescue.
Stephen P. Sheehan, CPA
Steve has over thirty-six years of public accounting experience, and provides accounting, auditing, and tax services to our clients. A native of
Fort Edward,
New York, Steve obtained his Associates Degree in Accounting from
Hudson Valley Community College in
Troy,
New York in 1969, and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at
Albany in 1971. Steve became certified as a public accountant in
New York in 1979.
Wendy L. Gifford
Wendy provides accounting, tax, auditing, bookkeeping and payroll services to our clients. She has over five years of accounting experience, including experience in both the public and private sector. Wendy simultaneously earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the College of St. Joseph, graduating on the Dean’s List in 2005. Wendy is currently working toward certification as a public accountant. A native of South Glens Falls, New York, she now resides in Gansevoort, New York.
