At a glance

Al provides accounting, tax and consulting services for privately held companies, and consults on: business start-up and entity formation, financing coordination, design and implementation of financial accounting and reporting systems, income tax planning, estate tax planning, succession planning and business valuation.

As the leader of Dopkins Client Accounting & Advisory Solution (CAAS) team, he focuses on developing solutions for clients to help them improve their finance and accounting functions through re-engineered processes, digital transformation and optimal utilization of talent.

Al serves clients in a variety of industries. His areas of specialization include health care, focusing on medical practices, providing services including strategic planning, operational consulting, income tax planning and business valuation. Al also specializes in serving life science companies and provides services for companies at all stages of development, including start-ups. Services Al provides include the development of business plans, financial projections, outsource accounting services, accounting software integration and business valuation.

Al joined the Firm in 1994 after four years with an investment advisory firm.

Industries/Clients Served

• Health care
• Life sciences and biotech
• Manufacturing
• Retail/Distribution
• Family-owned businesses

Speaking Engagements & Industry Experience

• Speaker, How will the new tax laws affect you and your business? Presented to members of the Ambulatory Surgery Center of WNY (February 2018)
• Board member, Western New York Venture Association
• Frequent lecturer at events on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Topics included: The Value of Financial Accounting & Reporting for Biotechnology Startups, Funding in the Life Sciences Industry, Business Valuation for Early-Stage Companies
• Presented at the Fredonia Incubator Entrepreneurial Workshop Series: The Road to Funding for Early-Stage Companies
• Panelist, “The Power of Angel Investing – Buffalo, NY” – The post-investment relationship
• Panelist, “Angel Investing in WNY” program of the WNYVA
• Participated in several Pre-Seed Workshops in Buffalo as a coach
• Participated as a judge for the 43 North competition
• Mentor, Due Diligence Mock Boards for the Critical Path Program.
  The Critical Path program represents a partnership among the University at Buffalo, Launch NY, Invest Buffalo Niagara (InBN), the Western New York Incubator Network (WIN) and the VilCap Communities Life Sciences Accelerator Program. It is designed to assist scalable life sciences startups with mentorship from industry and investment experts. Participating companies will use a peer selection process to provide each other feedback and choose two companies to receive a $50,000 investment each from the Launch NY Seed Fund.

Designations

• Certified Public Accountant
• Certified Valuation Analyst

Awards & Achievements

• Listed, Who’s Who in Banking and Finance, published by Business First of Buffalo
• Honoree, “Health Care 50” by Business First of Buffalo (2012)

Professional affiliations

• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Member, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)
• Member, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA)
• Member, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)

Education

• B.S. in Accounting from Canisius College

Community Service

• Member, 2018 Professional Advisors Council for the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The Professional Advisors Council is comprised of attorneys, accountants, investment advisors and other financial professionals dedicated to sharing ideas and offering insights in a collaborative environment to address the ever-changing landscape of planned charitable giving.
• Former Vice-Chair, current member of the Finance Committee, Meals on Wheels Foundation for Western New York

News & Events

• Guest author, Business First: Yes, you need a CFO – Finding the right individual is vital to the success of your business (February 2022)
• Guest author, Business First: A high-performing finance team can yield high profits for your business  (April 2021)
• Featured in Business First article: Democrats control the White House and Congress. Here’s what that means for businesses in Buffalo (January 2021)
• Featured in Business First article: Buffalo finance leaders say don’t do these things if you want to qualify for SBA loan relief (April 2020)
• Featured in Business First article: CPA firms plan for a surge in outsourced accounting services (April 2019)

Blog Posts

• Understanding the Implications of TCJA income tax provisions set to expire
• The journey to 2025 tax reform begins
• How to prepare for the data-driven future
• Yes, you need a CFO – Finding the right individual is vital to the success of your business
• A high-performing finance team can yield high profits for your business
• Services for the Unexpected: Scalable Processes and Controls with Dopkins CAAS Team (Part 4 of 4)
• Services for the Unexpected: Connected Data with Dopkins CAAS Team (Part 3 of 4)
• Services for the Unexpected: Real-Time Visibility with Dopkins CAAS Team (Part 2 of 4)
• Services for the Unexpected: The Right People with Dopkins CAAS Team (Part 1 of 4)
• Business Operations during NYS 100% workforce reduction
• Outsourcing Accounting & Financial Management: Providing Management Strategies to Mitigate Risk
• Outsourcing Accounting & Financial Management: A Solution for Businesses of All Sizes
• Obama Releases 2017 Budget Proposal: How Similar is it to 2016?
• 5 Tax Planning Strategies to Implement in a Down Stock Market
• White House Extends Two Key Requirements of the Health Care Act