Laura Babula, CPA, MAS
Justin Bruno
Rob Chmielewski, CPA
Laurie Defazio, CPA
Richard Dulaney
Will Ellis
Stephanie Episcopo
Shawn Foster, MAS
Evan Froehlich
Tim Gaber, CPA, MST
Sarah Hezlep, CPA, MAS
Ryan Howser, CPA, MST
Dan Kats, MAS
Abdullah Khan, MAS
Bridget Kenney, CPA JD
Courtney Knutte
Justin Kopec
Paul Malina, CPA, MAS
John Mazurek, CPA
Ryan McDonald
Michael McGovern, CPA
Brian Michelini, CPA
Jen Mokry, CPA, MAS
Cate Moulton, CPA
Leslie Orofino
Linda Pesha, CPA
Jamie Postlewait, CPA, MAS
Paul Reed, CPA, MAS
Dave Robb, CPA
Alfredo Rodriguez, CPA
Sue Rudis, CPA, MM
David Storey, MAS
Kosta Tchobanov, CPA, MSA
Mike Wahls, CPA
Lewis Williams
Dave Wolfe

Dave has twenty years of accounting and consulting experience. He manages the Firm's quality control program through the triennial peer review process and regular U.S. Department of Education quality control reviews. He participated in professional and industry specific activities including presenting at Career College Association workshops, U.S. Department of Education regional meetings and local civic groups as well as providing input for the 2001 revision of the U.S. Department of Education's audit guide for Student Financial Assistance Programs.

He is a graduate of the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy, and Master of Science Degree in taxation. Professional affiliations include membership in the Illinois CPA Society, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association. Outside the office Dave enjoys Scouting activities with his son, geo-caching and coaching his four children's soccer teams.

Joe has nineteen years of accounting, auditing, and tax experience. Joe manages K&A's career college practice and has contributed significantly to K&A's growth in this area. He also serves as a consultant to numerous publicly and privately-held school groups, with regard to compliance issues as well as merger, acquisition, and sales assistance. Joe speaks to numerous association and trade groups directly related to the career college sector. Additionally, Joe meets with prospective clients and is the partner in charge of all marketing and sales activities.  

Professional affiliations include membership in the Illinois CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. Outside the office Joe enjoys attending his three children's extracurricular activities and running 5K's.

Michael has sixteen years of accounting, auditing, and tax experience. Michael manages the overall operations of the Firm, and is the review partner on all school audit engagements. Michael is in charge of staffing and scheduling all client engagements. Additionally, he presents at industry events specifically related to the for-profit educational sector.

He is a member of the Illinois CPA Society, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy, and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation. Outside interests include coaching sports for his four children.

Matt has been with K&A since September 1999 and manages compliance and financial audits directly related to student financial assistance programs. He presents on best practices for private post secondary educational institutions and has provided is industry expertise to the General Accounting Office's (GAO) research of those institutions with students receiving Title IV funding. Matt regulary provides due diligence support for both buyers and sellers on mergers and acquisitions. He has regularly participated at the Career College Association's annual and investment conferences as well as Department of Education regional conferences. Outside the office Matt is a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan and enjoys relaxing with his family and friends.

Currently Laura serves as a staff professional on numerous governmental, non-profit and educational audits. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and a Masters of Accounting Science Degree and has been with K&A since August, 2009. In her spare time Laura enjoys sewing, especially cross stitching.

Rob began his career at K&A in the summer of 2009 as an intern and joined the Firm full-time the following year. He serves as a staff associate on financial audits in the educational, non-profit, and governmental sectors, as well as compliance attestations directly related to the student financial assistance programs. Rob also assists in providing corporate and individual tax services. He graduated from the University of Illinois with both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Accounting Science and is working towards achieving his CPA designation. Professional memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. In his free time, Rob enjoys snowboarding, playing guitar, auto racing, and world travel.

Laurie serves as the manager-in-charge of K&A's governmental audit practice. Her responsibilities include review of all governmental audits as well as researching any new pronouncements related to governmental auditing and accounting. Due to her expertise in this area, she manages nearly thirty governmental audits. Additional areas include managing several non-profit audits as well as providing corporate and individual income tax preparation. Professional memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, the Illinois Governmental Finance Officers Association. She is a graduate of Lewis University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy, and has been with K&A since 1997. Outside of the office Laurie enjoys gardening and gourmet cooking.

Rick serves in many of K&A's main practice areas including manager of several non-profits, governmental and for profit career college audits. He also serves as a senior on a large number of these clients. Additionally, he provides individual and corporate income tax preparation. Rick is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Accountancy and a Certificate in Accountancy, and is working towards his CPA designation. Rick is an avid Chicago sports fan and is a die-hard fan of the Chicago Bears.

Will has been with K&A since January 2005, and manages compliance and financial audits directly related to student financial assistance programs, not-for-profit, and governmental audits. Will also provides corporate and individual tax services. Will graduated from the University of Illinois a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and Finance. He enjoys attending Cubs Games and listening to country music.

Shawn has been with K&A since January, 2008 and manages compliance audits directly related to student financial assistance programs. Additionally Shawn serves as a junior associate on financial audits. Shawn is a graduate of National-Louis University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, and a Master of Accounting Science from University of Phoenix. He is working towards his CPA designation. Shawn is also a musician, has his own studio and band, "Without A Breath". He is the bass player and vocalist. He plays on weekends to local area venues.

Evan works as a junior associate with K&A's for profit educational clients, since joining the Firm in 2008. He is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, and is currently working on his Master of Accounting Science degree from University of Phoenix. Evan is currently working towards his CPA designation. In his spare time Evan enjoys any outdoor fitness activities especially running, biking, softball and tennis.

Tim serves as a manager for the Firm's for-profit educational client base. For several years, Tim has managed a large number of audits in this practice area. He also provides corporate and individual income tax preparation. Professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a Master of Science in Taxation and has been with K&A since 2003. Tim spends his free time training for his first marathon that he hopes to run in early 2011.

Sarah serves as a manager in K&A's governmental, non-profit, closely-held, and for-profit education practice areas. Due to her expertise, she has managed audits and provides corporate, non-profit and individual income tax preparation. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and a Masters of Accounting Science. She has been with K&A since 2002. Sarah loves College Basketball and is season ticket holder for the Illini.

Dan serves as a staff professional and junior associate in the non-profit, governmental and for profit educational practices. He also provides corporate and individual tax preparation services. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois a Bachelor and Master Degree in Accountancy, and has been with the Firm since 2008. He is working towards his CPA designation. Outside interests include camping and downhill skiing.

Currently Abdullah serves as a staff professional on the for profit educational client base. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and a Masters of Accounting Science and has been with K&A since September 2009, and is working towards his CPA designation. In his spare time he enjoys sports of all types, including basketball, football, baseball and tennis

Bridget has ten years of tax experience and provides these services to K&A's corporate, educational and individual tax clients. She is a member of the firm's employee benefit plan team, providing audit and administrative related services. Additionally, serves as a junior or senior staff professional on nearly twenty audits. Professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Illinois State Bar Association. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy from DePaul University and her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law. She also serves as the Assistant Secretary of Charity for the Wendy Will Case Cancer Fund, which grants funds to young cancer researchers.

Courtney works in K&A's accounting department providing bookkeeping services to many of the firm's closely-held clients. She also is responsible for all administrative duties required to maintain K&A's licensure status in forty-five plus states. She is a full-time Mom who enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies include cooking, art and shopping.

Justin is involved in all practice areas of the Firm, and manages audits in the non-profit, governmental, and educational sectors. He also provides corporate and individual tax preparation. Justin is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor and Master Degree in Accountancy, and has been with K&A since 2007. He also enjoys sports and is the captain of his men's sixteen inch softball league.

Paul currently manages audits in all practice areas for the Firm, including governmental, non-profit, and the educational sector. He provides both individual and corporate tax preparation services. He has been with the firm since 2007 and is a graduate of the University of Illinois with Bachelor and Master Degree in Accountancy. Outside interests include music and the arts.

John has been with K&A since 1996, and manages financial statement audits (profit and non-profit entities) and compliance attestations directly related to the Title IV student financial assistance programs. In addition, John also concentrates on small business clientele with an emphasis in the fields of health care and real estate and has extensive experience in the preparation of corporate, partnership and individual tax returns for a wide variety of clients. John belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. Outside of the office, John enjoys coaching his four children's various athletic teams, as well as volunteering his time with the Darien Youth Club and the Darien Dynamo Soccer Club.

Ryan has been with K&A since 2001 and works in K&A's For-Profit practice. Currently he serves as the manager on compliance audits in the for-profit educational sector, as well as a junior on over twenty-five of these audits. Due to his specialization within the for-profit sector, Ryan can easy identify areas where a client may improve their systems and run their business more effectively. He has a degree in OMIS (Operations Management and Information Systems) from Northern Illinois University. Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and is a fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs.

Mike began his career at K&A as an intern in the summer of 2009 and joined full-time in August 2010. Currently he serves as a staff associate on non-profit, governmental, and for-profit educational audits. He also provides tax preparation services for K&A's corporate and individual clients. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has received a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a Master of Accounting Science with a minor in Information Technology and Control. Outside of the office, Mike enjoys golfing, hiking, traveling, and attending various sporting events and concerts.

Jen started with K&A as an intern in the summer of 2009 and started full-time in August 2010. Currently, she serves as a staff professional on governmental, non-profit, and educational audits. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and a Masters of Accounting Science. Outside the office, Jen enjoys volunteering with her church's youth ministry and cheering on the Blackhawks.

Leslie has been with K&A since January 2002, and manages nearly twenty compliance and financial audits directly related to student financial assistance programs for the past five years. Leslie is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance. Professional affiliations include membership in the Financial Management Association. In her spare time Leslie enjoys taking Yoga classes.

Linda has three years of public accounting experience and joined K&A in January of 2010. Currently she serves as a staff or junior member on governmental, non-profit and for-profit educational clients. She also works on many of our closely-held corporate clients. Professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. Outside of the office Linda volunteers serving meals at Inspiration Cafe in Chicago. Inspiration Cafe provides meals to homeless individuals in a dining room setting.

Jamie has been with K&A since July 2010. Currently she serves as a staff professional on governmental, non-profit, and educational audits. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting and a Masters of Accounting Science with a Minor in Information Technology and Control. Outside the office Jamie enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching football, and serves as an Alumni Advisor for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

Paul joined K&A in 2010 as a staff associate and serves on for-profit education audits, governmental audits, and preparing tax returns. Paul is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy, a Master of Accounting Science, and a graduate minor in Finance. Outside interests include baseball, tennis, biking, and hiking trips out west.

Dave joined the firm in the fall of 2010. During the past year, he served as a staff associate within all practice areas of the firm including audit and tax. Dave is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy. In his spare time, Dave enjoys jogging, reading, and watching New England Patriots' football games.

Alfredo has been with K&A since 2007. For over two years, he has managed both governmental and non-profit jobs. Additionally, he provides corporate, non-profit and individual tax services. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy and Finance. In his spare time, Alfredo enjoys playing soccer, volleyball, basketball and tennis, reading, and volunteering at his church's children's ministry.

Sue has been with K&A since September 1990, and oversees K&A's employee benefit plan audits and administration. She also oversees all licensing requirements and coordinates the Firm's continuing professional education. Additionally, she provides corporate and individual tax services. Sue is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree of Accountancy and has a Masters Degree in Management from Northwestern University. Sue is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. Outside of the office Sue enjoys reading, spending time with friends and attending musicals.

Dave has been involved with audits of non-profit entities as well as for profit proprietary schools. He has been with the firm since 2007, and has been managing audits for the past year. Additionally he provides corporate and individual tax preparation. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree of Accountancy and a Master of Accounting Science, and is currently working towards his CPA designation. Outside of the office, Dave serves as the Treasurer of the Baptist Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University.

Mike joined K&A in 2009. During the past year, he has served as a staff associate within all practice areas of the firm including audit and tax. Mike is a graduate of the University of Illinois with Bachelor and Master Degrees in Accounting Science. In his spare time Mike enjoys attending College Football games, especially the Illini and Notre Dame.

Kim joined our staff in February 1999 and is the voice of K&A. Kim assists all employees with their day-to-day administrative needs. She is responsible for assembling not-for-profit and profit-sharing tax forms, shipping all audits, compilations and tax documents to our clients, and submitting Title IV audits to various accrediting agencies, as well as booking all company travel and organizing Company outings and events. Kim is a 1993 Hair Professionals Academy graduate and continues to maintain a current Illinois Cosmetology License, and a 1998 College of DuPage graduate with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. Outside of K&A, Kim has served as a Director on her Home Owner's Association Board since 2006 and is also the Secretary as of January, 2010. Kim enjoys attending Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs home and road games, Fan Conventions and concerts.

Peg attended the University of Illinois - Chicago and pursued a degree in Accounting. She has been with the Firm since its creation more than thirty-five years ago and is the office manager. Peg is an avid golfer and also serves as Treasurer in one of her golf leagues.