LOUIS J. BISCOTTI, CPA, MBA, CITP
CEO Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Lou founded Biscotti, Toback & Company when he was 30 after spending the early years of his career with national and international CPA firms. His full service CPA and business advisory services firm is among the top twenty firms on Long Island and is one of the more recognizable names in the industry. With Lou's combination of CPA, MBA and advanced study in Manufacturing, Systems Analysis, Management Consulting, Strategic Planning and Technology, including being designated as a CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional), he has become nationally recognized as an accounting and business management specialist for many industries including manufacturing and distribution and especially in the food industry. Today, Biscotti, Toback & Company is the premier accounting firm in the Northeast in the food industry and has been honored as one of “the best of the best” by national industry publications.
He is a frequent lecturer and published author on various financial and business topics. His regular columns and expert advice have appeared in both national and local publications and Lou has been a featured panelist and speaker at local and national events, including the WCBS Annual Small Business Breakfast hosting over 1,000 attendees. He has been honored several times in the “Who’s Who in Accounting” in Long Island Business News.
In addition to his role as Managing Partner of Biscotti, Toback & Company, Mr. Biscotti served as a Trustee for The Foundation for Accounting Education, a chair of numerous committees and was a Board Member of The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is an active member of The Long Island Association, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and The American Institute of Commercial Producers and the Brooklyn and Queens Chambers of Commerce. He is a President of the Accounting Circle and an executive advisory board member of St. John’s, his alma mater. Lou also serves on the advisory boards for many of his clients, both large and small, where the cumulative experience of over 30 years in business and over a thousand client experiences has helped clients take their companies to the next level. The firm’s clients are among the most respected companies on Long Island.
Lou is an active member of St. Agnes Cathedral and various organizations in Rockville Centre and has served as commissioner and coach in the baseball and soccer clubs.
Lou is happily married for over 35 years to his wife, Alberta and has two children, Benjamin and Elizabeth.
MICHAEL P. TOBACK, MS, CPA, PFS
COO, Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
CEO, Biscotti,Toback Wealth Management, LLC
Noted for his seminars and lectures on corporate taxes, S corporations, estate planning, and financial planning, Michael has become one of the area's most respected authorities on individual and corporate taxation, tax planning and financial planning.
As the firm’s COO, Michael combines his command of the ever-changing tax laws, his proven business acumen, and his creative insight to develop detailed forecasts for both personal and corporate tax clients. For years, his forecasts have been instrumental in reducing the tax liability of local and national clients, including leaders in the arts, photography, food, construction, manufacturing and distribution industries. Michael, a Personal Financial Specialist, also oversees all personal financial planning, retirement planning and estate planning activities of the firm.
Michael is also in charge of the firm's personal financial planning department; he has attained the "personal financial specialist" (PFS) designation and has many years of financial planning experience.
Mr. Toback received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston University and his Master of Science Degree in Taxation from Long Island University-C.W. Post Center. He is a member of The New York State Society of CPAs, and The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is also an active member of the Nassau Chapter’s Federal Tax Committee.
JOSEPH M. SALVATOR, CPA
Accounting & Auditing Partner
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
A finance specialist who has been included in both Who's Who in Finance and Industry and Who’s Who Among Rising Young Americans, Joseph is highly regarded as a leader in the Certified Public Accountant community. Perhaps one of the most respected accountants in the region, Joseph was awarded the New York State Society of CPAs - Nassau Chapter-Outstanding Service Award ten years in a row.
Noted for his integrity as an auditor and his expertise in finance, particularly as it applies to the food, graphic arts, distribution, construction, manufacturing and retail industries, Joseph’s articles have appeared in almost every local business and trade publication in the area.
In addition to his role as a partner in the firm of Biscotti, Toback & Company, this Hofstra University alumnus is an active member of
The American Institute of CPAs and has served on the Auditing Standards & Procedures Committee and the Construction & Real Estate Committee of The New York State Society of CPAs.
Joseph received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University. He has long been committed to continuing education for Certified Public Accountants. He has prepared and presented countless seminars and programs for professional groups throughout the region.
JEFFREY G. COHEN, CPA
Tax Partner
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C
Jeff has worked in the tax department of several large CPA firms for his entire career. He is the firm’s resident expert on taxes and interstate taxation.
During his years in public accounting, Jeff has worked as both an audit senior and a tax manager. He has experienced a wide variety of tax services, some of which include business tax planning, individual tax planning, private letter rulings with the Internal Revenue Service, and gift and estate tax planning. His knowledge of S corporations, C corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, and General Partnerships, allows him to analyze both the corporate and shareholder's tax liabilities simultaneously. By analyzing the structure of closely held corporations, he is able to plan the present and future generational effects to the shareholders and their families. He is also an expert in handling government audits including the Internal Revenue Service, New York State, Sales Tax, and the Department of Labor. In addition, he has increased his focus on State Nexus issues and their interaction with constitutional Nexus issues.
Jeff is active in giving seminars to outside groups on topics such as, “planning for retirement” and “pension planning for the future.” Jeff also coordinates a team of people who give annual seminars to the staff on all current tax rulings and internal procedures.
Jeff is the Treasurer of the Long Island Elite Executive Board of Directors. The Long Island Elite provides mentoring, community outreach and professional networking to promote the development of Long Island's young business executives.
Jeff received his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at New.He is a member of both
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
CRAIG M. FINE, CPA
Accounting & Auditing Partner
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Craig joined the firm in 1993 and was promoted to partner in 2000. Craig specializes in accounting and auditing of closely-held middle market businesses and heads up quality control for the firm in this area. He also specializes in providing one-on-one business advisory services to these businesses and their owners. He possesses expertise in manufacturing, distribution and various service businesses. In addition Craig is a member of the AICPA Employee Benefit Forum and has expertise in auditing of Employee Benefit Plans such as pensions and 401k plans.
Craig works closely with Biscotti, Toback & Company’s managers and staff, providing both leadership and training in all aspects of accounting, auditing and client service related issues. He strives to insure that all engagements handled by the firm are done efficiently and accurately and has a significant role in the firm’s peer review process. Before joining Biscotti, Toback & Company, Craig worked at a firm specializing in audits of employee benefit plans as well as a large local firm handling middle market clients.
He has been involved in both the accounting and taxation areas of these businesses, including the many issues which affect the principal shareholders. He has also participated in other special engagements such as operational reviews, which strive to evaluate and improve the goals of a company, as well as its ability to meet those goals.
Craig coordinates a team of people and gives seminars to our staff in accounting and auditing topics as well as the new technology and software that go hand in hand with accounting in the new millennium. Craig also takes an active part in on campus interviews for incoming accounting juniors. He has lectured at many of the Universities in our area on general accounting topics.
Craig received his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Albany.
Craig is a member of The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
He has lectured at several local colleges regarding careers in public accounting and participates in the firm’s campus recruiting efforts. Craig coaches little league baseball and soccer.
ALBERTA C. BISCOTTI, MS, BS
Firm Administrator
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Alberta is the firm’s head of administration. She heads up human resources and takes care of all employee needs. As part of the Management Team, she does all firm financial tasks, marketing, insurance and heads up a team of people who care for our own internal computer needs as well as client computer needs.
Alberta, along with her staff, converts and upgrades all hardware and software in our office. She has developed our website and maintains it.
Alberta has taken Biscotti, Toback & Company through mergers and is an expert in project management. Her administrative and organizational skills enable her to perform many of the key functions in the firm.
Alberta received her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in Education from St. John’s University. Alberta taught in the public school system for over ten years and raised two children. She has been a member of the team since the firm’s inception in 1978, and has had many varied tasks and job duties over the years.
CHRISTOPHER J. ARATO, CPA, MBA
Tax Manager
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
A welcomed new addition to our firm, Christopher is a tax manager who has over 15 years of experience in public accounting. In addition to being involved in all day to day tax issues, he works directly with many of our prestigious clients to meet their needs on all tax related issues while increasing and strengthening client relationships.
Christopher’s experience includes tax planning and compliance for individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. He also performs a variety of tax services for a broad range of clients such as representing them at federal and state government tax examinations involving personal and business income taxes and sales and uses taxes.
Christopher received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Baylor University and a Masters of Business Administration in Taxation from St. Johns University. He is a member of The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
EROL BASKURT, CPA
Manager
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Erol is a manager in the accounting and auditing division of Biscotti, Toback & Company.
He joined the firm in 2007 and is responsible for managing the highest quality audit, accounting and tax engagements as well as client consulting services, and supervision and training of staff.
He provides services to clients in a wide range of industries including SEC, medical, consulting, real estate, construction, manufacturing, and distributing.
Prior to joining the firm he worked at a regional accounting firm.
Erol has experience in audit and other financial statement services, consulting services, and tax services (including tax planning, projections and compliance) for construction companies with up to over $200 million in revenues, non-profit, transportation, defense contractor, and healthcare companies amongst other industries. As a consultant, he has served clients in various functions such as performing due diligence, business management, preparation and development of business plans, budgets and projections, investment portfolio analysis, representation of clients before governmental agencies such as Internal Revenue Service and New York State, and serving as an interim financial officer.
Erol is a graduate of Hofstra University. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1991 and is a member of both
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
and The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
KEITH H. GOLDHAMER, CPA
Audit Manager
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Keith has been a member of the firm since 2004. He is currently an audit manager and works directly with many of our most prestigious clients.
During his years in public accounting, Keith has experienced a wide variety of industries, including wholesale food distributors, contractors, manufacturers, real estate, as well as various service companies.
Keith has a solid tax background and advises clients in this area as well.
Keith received his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburg. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of both The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
VIRGINIA A. LESTINGI
Administrative Manager
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Virginia has been a valued member of our firm since 1995. She is currently the administrative manager involved in all aspects of the firm. She has demonstrated leadership abilities while increasing her responsibilities over the years.
Along with managing the administrative staff in all day to day activities, Virginia heads up our marketing department, coordinating everything from advertising to our annual networking events such as our Food & Beverage Industry CEO Best Practices Panel and Discussion.
Virginia is also a member of our firm's technology committee and works directly with IT advisors to enhance our computer systems while also researching and installing new software packages that benefit the firm.
Virginia obtained a degree in business administration which aids her in managing the administrative team.
CRISTINA A. TASSIELLI, CPA
Accounting & Auditing Manager
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Cristina has been a member of the firm since 1995. Cristina was a controller for a bakery equipment company prior to joining our firm as a junior accountant. Over the years she has proven herself as a staff accountant and a top customer service person and has risen through the ranks to the level of manager. Because of her controllership skills she has an innate understanding of client concerns and what it takes to run an accounting department.
Cristina is also a member of our firm’s technology committee, accounting and auditing committee and acts as a liaison between our IT advisors and clients and staff. She has strong computer software skills and has trained many of our smaller clients on their Quickbooks ® accounting systems. She has been a Quickbooks ® accounting systems advisor since 2006. Cristina has become the IT software coordinator; she researches all new products that may benefit the firm in all Accounting, Tax and General Computer areas.
Like all of our staff, Cristina has a solid tax background and advises clients in this area as well.
Cristina is a cum laude graduate of Hofstra University, and has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of both The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
KENNETH GODIN, JR.
Supervisor
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Ken is a supervisor in the accounting and auditing division of Biscotti, Toback & Company. He joined the firm in 2001 and is responsible for maintaining the highest quality and accuracy on engagement as well as servicing customer needs and supervising staff. He provides services to clients in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, distributing and employee benefit plans. He has been involved with hundreds of client experiences and specializes in auditing closely held companies.
Prior to joining the firm he worked as a staff accountant. Ken is a graduate of Bryant University, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
He is a member of The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
JAIME KEISER
Administrative Supervisor
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Jaime has been a valued member of our firm since she joined our administrative team in 2003. She is currently the administrative supervisor involved in all aspects of the firm. She has demonstrated leadership abilities while increasing her responsibilities over the years.
Along with supervising the administrative staff in all day to day activities, Jaime heads our Computer Information Technology Division, coordinating everything from new equipment needs, to researching the latest technology as it applies to our company.
Jaime is an active member of many firm committees, including Technology, Administration, and Training, and is an asset to the BT administrative team.
PREMI KHANDAI, CPA
Supervisor
Biscotti, Toback & Company, Certified Public Accountants & Advisors, P.C.
Premi is a supervisor in the accounting and auditing division of Biscotti, Toback & Company. She joined the firm in 2002 and is responsible for maintaining the highest quality and accuracy on engagement as well as servicing customer needs and supervising staff. She provides services to clients in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, distributing and employee benefit plans. She has been involved with hundreds of client experiences and specializes in auditing closely held companies.
Prior to joining the firm she worked at a regional accounting firm. Premi received her Bachelor of Science degree from Queens College.
She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2002 and is a member of both The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Member - Better Business Bureau
