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ABOUT US
Kelly D'Emilia
President
Kelly D'Emilia, owner and President of Innovative Advocated Group, Inc. (IA Group), is an industry expert with more than 20 years of experience with Abandoned and Unclaimed Property ("AUP"). Kelly established IA Group in 2014 with the goal of distinguishing the company from other providers. While most State auditors focus solely on either general ledger or equity audits, IA Group brings knowledge and experience to both areas. IA Group specializes in project management, data acquisition and validation skills, and possesses an in-depth understanding of dormancy rules, as well as industry specific issues and occurrences (e.g. decentralization of processes, mergers and acquisitions). Kelly’s extensive experience includes, but is not limited to, the oil and gas, entertainment, construction, food service, private equity, financial service and retail industries.
Kelly began her career at the Fortune 500 Company, Sun Oil Company, in the corporate accounting group. Kelly moved into the tax group at Arthur Andersen L.L.P. working in their federal, state, and local group specializing in sales and use tax. Kelly then joined Price Waterhouse Coopers, L.L.P where she led the state and local Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Practice as their Metro New York AUP Leader.
Throughout her career Kelly has been instrumental in assisting companies with various AUP issues such as voluntarily disclosing historical unclaimed liability and audit defense proceedings for various states, and developing companies' policies and procedures in response to Sarbanes/Oxley requirements (FAS 5 requirements). Kelly’s reputation has led her to be a valued speaker at regional Lorman Education seminars, COST seminars, UPPO (Unclaimed Property Professional Organization), Tax Executive Institute, among others.
Kelly holds a Master's of Business Administration and a Master in Taxation from Widener University.
Robert D’Emilia graduated from Villanova University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. As Innovative Advocate Group’s in-house counsel, Robert is the key legal advisor for all company affairs. Robert is a crucial team member due to his ability to provide accurate and effective legal advice throughout the examination process. With over 30 years of counseling experience, Robert reviews the majority of the legal documentation between IA Group and their Client States and prepares and reviews administrative documents that are used during the examination process.
In-House Legal Counsel
Robert D'Emilia
Eric Burke graduated from Monmouth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, followed by his MBA. Eric serves as IA Group’s Manager and participates in Unclaimed Property examinations. Before joining IA Group, Eric worked with the Assurance service line of Ernst & Young, where he analyzed financial statement reporting for both public and non-public entities and played role in assessing the effectiveness of clients' internal controls with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Eric’s project management skills and prior experience in AUP are an asset to the Innovative Advocate Group team.
Manager
Eric Burke
Associate II
Associate II employees are heavily involved in many of the audit procedures here at Innovative Advocate Group. As an Associate II, employees are responsible for analyzing and reviewing financial statements and documents provided by the Holders, preparing audit work papers for the States and Holders, and conducting background research about companies under audit. Additionally, Associate II level employees create and analyze documents necessary to the audit process, including: Entity Revenue Matrices, Outstanding Account Balance reviews, VDAs, NDAs, Trial Balances, and Aging Reports.
Associate I
As an Associate I at Innovative Advocate Group, employees are responsible for monitoring audit statuses and contacting the Holder for outstanding documentation requests. Additionally, Associate I employees are heavily involved in the audit procedures for unclaimed property examinations. Innovative Advocate Group’s Associates are responsible for analyzing documentation and financial statements provided by the Holder, preparing audit workpapers for the State and Holder, researching, preparing, and submitting State RFPs for abandoned and unclaimed property contracts, and creating and analyzing the documents necessary to the audit process.
Managing Director
Jim Doody
James P. Doody, Jr., Managing Director: Former lead accounting professional at Drinker Biddle & Reath responsible for administering Delaware Secretary of State’s Voluntary Disclosure Program for unclaimed property. Over 15 years’ experience in unclaimed property as a contract auditor, holder advocate, and state vendor. Jim’s experience in administering Delaware’s Voluntary Disclosure Program, coupled with his prior roles as an auditor and holder advocate, combine to provide a unique perspective on unclaimed property examinations.
Brian Lazar graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. As IA Group's Controller, Brian is responsible for high-level accounting and managerial accounting with the company. Additionally, Brian oversees financial reporting and performs essential duties related to payroll. With over 14 years of private and public accounting experience, Brian is well equipped to run day-to-day accounting operations for the overall health of the company.
Controller
Brian Lazar
Management
Senior Associate
As members of the Innovative Advocate Group team, Senior Associates are involved in all stages of our audit procedures, including, but not limited to, the review of documentation provided by holders, the review of draft work papers and calculations, and participating in status calls with the holder. Additionally, Senior Associates share the responsibility of supervising staff and Associates, ensuring the compliance of policies and procedures, interviewing and training new employees, and driving the audit schedule and compliance. Senior Associates are also involved in all unclaimed property examinations and monitor audit statuses.
Suzanne Tardy
Rutgers University, School of Business Bachelor of Science Accounting
Steven Wood
Pace University
MBA with a concentration in Finance
Anthony Bonfiglio
Columbia College, Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts Economics
Tory Manfre
Monmouth University
Bachelor of Science Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting
Bushra Javaid
Monmouth University
MBA with a Concentration in Accounting
Bachelor of Science
Health Sciences
Gerard Meyer
Montclair State University Bachelor of Science Administration with a concentration in Accounting
Cathleen Coleman
Baruch College
Bachelor of Business
Administration with a concentration in Finance
Stefan Cox
University of Tampa
Bachelors of Science
Mathematical Programming, Finance
Megan Dzwonkowski
Lafayette College
Bachelor of Arts
International Business
Peter Skarzynski
New Jersey City University
Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice
Kyle Argent
Syracuse University
Bachelor of Science Accounting
Melissa Albrecht
University of the Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Administration
Ryan Coleman
Flagler College
Bachelors of Arts
Accounting, Business Administration