CDH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Principal, Assurance Group
Andrea Krueger has been with CDH since 1998. As a Principal in the audit department, she specializes in international subsidiaries, manufacturing, distribution, construction, service and employee benefit plan audits. She and her audit teams also handle numerous SSARS and SAS Review engagements, Agreed Upon Procedures, and Consulting engagements.
She is passionate about developing open trusting relationships with her clients and helping them reach their business goals. As a trusted business advisor, she is able to help her clients in all aspects of their business, and not just be the auditor that visits once per year, but someone who is consulted on a regular basis.
Andrea is a leader in the audit department, and enjoys mentoring and helping her staff grow in their skills as the future business leaders of the firm. Andrea also loves auditing and consulting as she is a natural puzzle solver. Her creative side helps her think out of the box and see issues from a different perspective.
Andrea is originally from Pennsylvania, but has lived in the Chicagoland area for 20 years and is a recent resident of St. Charles. When not working, Andrea enjoys oil painting, photography, live theater, sewing, traveling, tennis, biking and kayaking. She is a board member of the Fox Valley Repertory non-profit theater, and also has been three time Team leader for the CDH Crusaders, the firm's volunteer team participating in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event, the association's largest annual fundraiser for cancer research.
Bernie spent the first 15 years of his career in creative and operational roles marketing and advertising. He has been leading and managing CPA firms since 2005, when he first joined CDH. He spent 9-1/2 years as the Firm Administrator and the firm's first COO. He was a key member of the team that transitioned CDH to a price-in-advance model in 2011.
Bernie rejoined CDH in October 2023 as COO and works with the principal group to execute the firm's strategic plans and oversee key areas such as Human Resources, IT, Marketing, Finance and Administration.
He has spoken at industry conferences in North America on the topics of performance management, succession planning and pricing for CPA firms. Bernie is a past President of the Illinois Chapter of the CPA Firm Management Association and has been a member of the COO Forum Chicago since 2011.
When he's not working, Bernie enjoys traveling, walking, hiking and art. He grew up in Evanston but has lived in Geneva since 2002.
Education
M.B.A., Management of Human Resources, DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
B.A., Fine Art & Graphic Design, DePaul University
Languages
English
Cathy Sciera brings more than two decades of accounting experience to her tax practice. She currently serves as Senior Tax Manager in CDH's Tax Department.
A dedicated tax professional, Cathy focuses on a range of taxation issues, with concentration on tax compliance, research and planning for high net worth families and related businesses, real estate entities, and fiduciary and gift tax, as well as private foundations and nonprofit entities. Through her years of experience, Cathy has developed the skill set necessary to effectively serve high net worth families and closely held business entities. She understands the role that strategic tax compliance, research, planning and effective communication skills play in in a wealth-building team of investment, financial and estate planning professionals.
As part of CDH's management team, Cathy prepares, supervises and reviews income tax returns and estate tax returns, and she successfully represents clients in IRS matters. She also develops and implements operational procedures and policies related to tax department.
Cathy has a Master's Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago.
Education
Golden Gate University, M.S. Taxation
Loyola University Chicago, B.B.A. Finance
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Manager, Tax
- Senior Manager, Tax
Dan Walsh is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and currently serves as a Manager in the Tax Department at CDH.
Dan started his career at CDH in January of 2015 as an intern and has grown into a key leader in the Tax Department. Dan is a member of the CDH Innovation Committee and IT Committee and is devoted to bringing technology into the workplace.
Dan is a Chicago area native and currently resides in the suburbs with his twin brother and Yellow Labrador, Kirby.
In his free time, he enjoys going to the park with his dog, playing video games, watching football (go Bears), and going to the gym.
Dan is a Principal in the Tax Group, and concentrates his practice in general business planning and consulting, corporate and individual tax planning, retirement planning, financial management and control, and financial statement interpretation. He serves clients in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing and service businesses.
Dan is closely connected to each of his clients and their businesses. For many years, he has served as an outsourced CFO for a prominent manufacturing and distribution client. He has helped the company structure new tax advantageous entities and has led the succession planning and transfer of the company to the next generation. As CFO, he has assisted in setting general accounting procedures, dealing with multiple state taxes and providing ongoing general business advice.
Serving as the outsourced CFO for a construction company client, Dan completed all the detail work to secure an Industrial Revenue Bond, which provides an interest rate substantially below the prime lending rate. He was involved in the tax advantageous structuring of their related businesses. The company's owner relies on Dan as a trusted confidant, and with both of them working as a team, the company has grown substantially.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Manager, Tax
- Senior Manager, Tax
David Yerly is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a decade of experience working at Chicagoland accounting firms ranging in size from top 10 to mid-sized. He currently serves as a Manager in the Tax Department at CDH.
As a business tax advisor, David handles a wide range of tax matters for many of CDH's manufacturing, distribution and wholesale clients. He conducts sales and use tax consulting, apportionment studies, and general bookkeeping, among many other complex tasks. David is intimately familiar with complicated international, national and state tax codes and regulations, and works hard to ensure clients receive the best tax outcomes possible.
David has a Master's Degree in Taxation and a Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Leader of "Women LEAD
- Principal, Assurance
- Principal, Assurance Group
Emily Bartlett is an experienced Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and devoted leader in her community. She is a Principal in CDH's Assurance department.
As a valuable leader of the Assurance team, Emily manages financial statement audits and reviews for clients in manufacturing, distribution, service and construction. She also audits employee benefits plans. Emily believes success relies on building lasting relationships with clients to help them meet and achieve their goals. She also trains and supervises CDH staff members on beginning and advanced audits, as well as overall business development.
Emily serves as the leader of "Women LEAD at CDH," which embraces the leadership (L), empowerment (E), advancement (A) and development (D) of women within the firm. She is also an active leader in her community, serving as a mentor and board member with several local organizations. She was recently named among Top Young Professional by a Chicago suburban newspaper.
Emily has a Master's Degree in Accounting from Elmhurst College and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Augustana College.
Job Titles:
- Innovation Manager
- Manager, Process Improvement
Esther Carreno is the Innovation Manager at CDH, P.C.
Esther joined CDH in 2022 with over a decade of experience in operations management, process improvement projects, and project management within the financial services industry. In her current role, she is focused on innovative initiatives and process improvement for the firm. At home or when not working, Esther enjoys spending time with her family and completing crafting projects. She is a member of the Project Management Institute.
Job Titles:
- Director of Technology Services at CDH Technology Solutions
- Director, CDH Technology Services
As Director of Technology Services at CDH Technology Solutions, Frank continues to lead the team to provide best in class technology solutions for small local businesses to multi-national corporations.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Transfer Pricing
Job Titles:
- Manager, Business Advisory Services
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Manager
- Manager, Human Resources
Jo-Anne Schonewille Colling is the Human Resources Manager for CDH. Jo-Anne brings a diverse range of professional experience.
She previously worked for the United Nations in the prosecutors' office in the Hague, The Netherlands. She spent over 17 years at the European Patent Office in various capacities in the Hague, Berlin, and Munich.
After moving to the United States, Jo-Anne worked at an accounting firm in Chicago as the lead for the human resources department before joining CDH.
She holds an MBA and a certificate in human resources management from Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago, IL. She is a member of the AICPA Society.
Jo-Anne is originally from Germany and currently resides in Naperville with her daughter and husband.
Languages
English
Job Titles:
- Principal, Japan Business Group
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Manager, Tax
Kyle is a Certified Public Accountant and a Tax Manager at CDH P.C. Kyle joined CDH in 2017. In his current role, he is a generalist, this involves preparation of business and individual income tax returns, including C- Corporations, S- Corporations, Partnerships, and Trusts.
When not in the office, Kyle enjoys relaxation by reading books and spending time outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Manager, Internal Accounting
Lina O'Brien is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with an extensive accounting background including experience in the Real Estate and Not-for-Profit industries. She serves as the Internal Accounting Manager at CDH.
Lina is responsible for managing the firm's internal accounting processes and workflow of projects. She also assists the CFO with annual budgets and has been instrumental in leading the implementation and customization of Sage Intacct and other software for internal use.
When she has free time, Lina enjoys traveling and photography as she appreciates meeting new people and learning about and capturing the beauty of the culturally diversified areas in and out of Chicagoland. She is originally from Trakai, Lithuania and is active in Chicago's American-Lithuanian community. She currently resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, James, and their dog, Sparky.
Lina has a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Mai is a Certified Public Accountant and a Tax Manager at CDH, P.C.
Mai joined CDH in 2014. In her current role, she specializes in international taxation, which involves corporate tax, as well as individual tax, especially expatriates.
When not working, Mai enjoys singing and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Senior Manager, Executive Focus
Matt Wirth is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more than 20 years of experience working in the accounting field. He is a Senior Manager in CDH's Executive Focus Consulting group.
As a dedicated business advisor, Matt focuses on financial business analysis and general accounting. He helps companies develop key performance indicators, facilitates business performance reviews, and creates and integrates performance measurement systems. Through Executive Focus, Matt helps clients identify trends, relationships and performance drivers that will increase their bottom lines.
Matt has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager, Business Advisory Services
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Executive Focus
Mike Rice has over 40 years of experience helping companies develop and refine key performing indicators for continuous improvement. He currently serves as a Manager in CDH's Executive Focus consulting group.
With a passion for helping companies become more productive, Mike works closely with clients highlighting past performance while working to achieve and exceed their current and future goals. Working as a true business partner, he facilitates monthly review meetings with management teams, develops performance management systems, analyzes existing data to convert it to useful information, develops monthly action plans, and creates and refines client's key performance indicators.
Mike has a Master's of Business Administration from Marquette University and a Bachelor's Degree from University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Cross - Border Practice
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Principal, Tax
Naoko Lech is Certified Public Accountant with more than 10 years of public accounting experience. She serves as Principal of CDH's Tax Department.
Prior to joining CDH, Naoko brings with her years of experience working at a multinational corporation and a multinational financial institution.
As a trusted business advisor, Naoko works closely with multinational C corporations handling all types of tax matters. Specializing in corporate tax, she focuses specifically on international tax issues, state filings and FIN48 matters. Naoko is fluent in Japanese.
Naoko has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from North Central College.
Job Titles:
- Software and Systems Specialist
Job Titles:
- Manager, Busines Advisory Services
- Manager, Business Advisory Services
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Principal, Assurance
- Principal, Assurance Group
Patrick Brennan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more than 25 years of accounting experience including audit, internal controls, operational improvements, risk management, restructuring, and data analysis. He is a Principal in CDH's Assurance Department.
Patrick is a trusted advisor who handles a wide range of compliance matters for a variety of clients in the real estate, construction, asset management, software/technology, manufacturing, distribution, and not-for-profit industries. He oversees all aspects of assurance engagements, including implementation of accounting standards, financial operations, process improvements, financial reporting, data analytics leading practices, and SOX compliance.
A lifelong Chicagoan, Patrick now lives in a south-west suburb of Chicago with his wife, four children, and dog Rosie. In addition to coaching and following Chicago sports teams, he enjoys golfing and is an avid runner. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business with a focus on Accounting from Loyola University Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Software Developer
- Manager, Business Advisory Services
Job Titles:
- Principal, Business Advisory Services
Job Titles:
- in 2024 As a Senior Manager
- Senior Manager, Tax
Rahim joined CDH in 2024 as a Senior Manager in our Tax department. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, He also earned his MBA from DePaul University in Taxation.
When he is not in the office, Rahim enjoys traveling!
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Principal, Tax
Riki Shah is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more than a decade of accounting experience. He is a Principal in CDH's Tax Department.
As a tax advisor, Riki handles a wide range of tax matters for a variety of clients in the manufacturing, distribution and wholesale industries. He oversees and reviews individual, partnership, C-Corporation and S-Corporation income tax returns; hospitality and rental real estate with multi-states and foreign reporting; and reviews current and deferred income tax provision for quarterly, semi-annual and annual financial statements, among other services. Shah is intimately familiar with complex U.S. regulations, ensuring clients receive the best tax outcomes possible. He also handles the compliance and consulting of sales/use tax and tangible personal property tax.
Riki has a Bachelor's Degree in Business with a focus on Accounting from Loyola University Chicago.
Job Titles:
- in 2000 As a Staff Accountant
- Manager, CDH Japan Co
Saori Amano has nearly 25 years of experience consulting in the general accounting and tax field. She currently serves as CDH Japan Company's Manager in the new Nagoya office.
Saori joined CDH in 2000 as a Staff Accountant and transitioned into the Tax department specializing in Japanese expatriate related work. She moved to Japan in 2008 and continued to work part time for CDH during tax season for many years until CDH expanded with a location in Nagoya. She now works full time in the CDH Japan office as a Manager overseeing individual tax, accounting services, and local client communication. We are so fortunate Saori has been able to stay with the CDH family for all these years as we could not have a more qualified Manager for our new Japan location.
She is originally from Kyoto, Japan, but has been residing in a suburb of Nagoya since her return to Japan in 2008. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, fine dining, running, and stairclimbing.
Saori has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from DePaul University.
Education
DePaul University, B.A. Accounting
Languages
English
Job Titles:
- Manager, Business Advisory Services
Shantel Okoeguale-Lee currently serves as a Manager in the Business Advisory Service department at CDH.
Shantel started her career at CDH in July of 2017 as a staff accountant. She is a member of the CDH Community Service Committee and is a key leader on the training / quality control committee within her department.
In her free time, she enjoys playing her Super Nintendo, baking and enjoying quality time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Leader of the IT Consulting Practice
- Manager, Information Technology
- Senior Manager, Information Services
Steven Weging has been an IT professional for more than 10 years, supporting a variety of organizations in their information technology needs. He currently serves as the IT Manager at CDH.
As the leader of the IT consulting practice at CDH, Steven manages the IT environment for a variety of companies of all sizes in a range of industries. He manages relationships with high-profile IT vendors, such as Microsoft and Dell, and manages the internal networks of CDH's three offices and more than 90 employees. As IT consulting manager, Steven also participates in acquisition planning and conducts IT risk assessments, negotiates contracts with clients and vendors, and mentors IT personnel. He also develops IT disaster recovery plans and policies on behalf of clients.
Steven has a Bachelor's Degree in Networking and Communications Management from DeVry University.
Education
DeVry University, B.S. Networking and Communications Management
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Principal
- Principal, Assurance
- Principal, Assurance Group
Tomoko Nakao serves as a Principal in CDH's Assurance department. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she focuses her practice on financial statement audits and reviews for Japanese-owned manufacturing and distribution companies, as well as non-profit organizations.
Tomoko is a trusted advisor who believes in developing close, lasting relationships with her clients-providing auditing services regularly throughout the year. She is a native Japanese speaker with an understanding of both U.S. and Japan business culture. As a valuable member of CDH's Japan practice, Tomoko supports Japan-based companies enter and thrive in the U.S. market.
Tomoko has Masters' degrees in Commerce and Economics from Kinki University in Japan, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from the same university. She began her accounting career at a distribution company in electronics industry in Japan and moved to the U.S. in 2006 to pursue a career as an auditor at a public accounting firm.
Job Titles:
- Managing Principal
- President
Wendy Kelly is President and Managing Principal of CDH since October 1, 2019. She joined CDH in November of 2010, and brings to us more than 20 years of experience working exclusively in public accounting. Prior to CDH, Wendy spent 16 years with Blackman Kallick in Chicago, where she became an audit partner in 2001.
She is passionate about helping clients obtain timely and accurate communication from which to make informed business decisions. She has worked with a wide variety of clients in various stages of growth and enjoys the rewards as well as the challenges of working to help businesses grow.
Wendy serves on the board of the EPWNG (Exclusive Professional Women's Networking Group) and has been heavily involved in the implementation of women's initiatives at CDH. She has been active in sponsoring ongoing education for women related to networking, communication differences between men and women and work/life integration.
Wendy is a licensed CPA and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University. She grew up in DeKalb, IL and currently lives in Arlington Heights. She keeps busy outside of the office spending time with family and friends, especially her daughter. She also enjoys traveling and fine dining.
Job Titles:
- in 2019 As a BAS Manager
- Manager, Business Advisory Services
- Senior Manager, Business Advisory Services
Zubair Adil has over 10 years of experience between Audit and Accounting Services. He currently works in the Business Advisory Services group at CDH.
Zubair joined CDH in 2019 as a BAS manager, working on a variety of clients including hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, and distribution. His primary focus is to provide accounting and managerial support for small to mid-sized businesses in these industries while helping with the growth of the accounting services practice.
Zubair has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from DePaul University.