About Manning Silverman & Company

Joel Manning, CPA
Managing Partner and Founding Member
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Joel is the Managing Partner at Manning Silverman & Company. Joel provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to his clients which represent many industries including service, distribution, manufacturing, retail, construction, property management, real estate, banking and not-for-profits. Joel has experience as an expert witness. He has over 35 years of experience in accounting, tax, and consulting. Joel has an array of business relationships in the banking, legal and insurance areas and is great at networking to help his clients grow their businesses. Joel is frequently asked to assist his clients in trouble-shooting business challenges and has been instrumental in the success of many client’s turn-around and growth. Joel heads the firm’s consulting and marketing services. Joel is able to think outside the box to help his clients, and he is proactive and cares a great deal about his clients.

Joel founded Manning Silverman & Company in October 1987. Prior to starting Manning Silverman & Company, Joel was an accountant and consultant at a medium size firm and at a large international firm.

Joel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois, and graduated top of his class. Joel earned his CPA designation in May of 1983. Joel is very active in his community and serves as an Officer or Director on several Boards. He has a passion for his family, clients, sports, coaching soccer and extensive travel.

Wayne E. Silverman CPA, MBA, PFS
Principal and Founding Member
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Wayne is a Founding Partner at Manning Silverman & Company. Wayne heads up the compilation, review, audit and wealth management services of the firm. Wayne has extensive experience in providing experience to small, closely-held businesses and their shareholders and advising not-for-profit organizations and their boards of directors. During Wayne’s 35 years in public accounting he has assisted clients with their organizational structure, internal control, financial reporting systems, long-term planning, financing and investing needs, succession planning, and estate planning. Wayne has also assisted clients with their litigation support needs.

Wayne has a Personal Financial Specialist designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and has helped numerous clients define, plan for, and pursue their financial goals.

Wayne received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a degree in accounting with honors graduating number one in his class in 1981, and a Masters in Business Administration, also with honors, in 1983. Both degrees were from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. Wayne has been a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois Certified Public Accountants Society since 1983. Wayne has lectured in accounting at the university level. He is frequently called in by small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to assist in trouble-shooting their business challenges.

Registered Representative with Cetera Financial Specialists LLC

Nick Schenk, CPA
Partner
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Nick provides accounting and tax services to a large variety of Manning Silverman & Company clients. He has a unique knowledge of all our accounting and tax application tools which he aptly applies to support his clients. In addition, he applies the current tax law and accounting rules to ensure that his clients get the most value out of Manning Silverman services. As his clients attest, Nick’s responsiveness to his clients is second to none and makes him an asset to his clients and the Manning Silverman family.

Nick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University and is also a CPA. He has been with Manning Silverman for almost ten years assisting clients in various roles. Recently, Nick and his wife welcomed a second child to their family, which leaves him less time for his favorite pursuit of golf. Lastly, just so you are all aware, Nick played on the professional golf mini-tours for two years, so watch out if you play him for “skins” in a golf event.

Adrian Scurtu, CPA
Partner
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Adrian is a Partner and Tax Strategist with a focus on businesses and real estate. He speaks at conferences nationwide teaching the importance of tax planning and implementing appropriate tax strategies. Whether working with businesses or individuals, Adrian wants to educate his clients on the tax savings opportunities available and help them accomplish both their tax and business goals. Adrian has an entrepreneurial spirit and is interested in growing his network to be a good source of referrals for his clients. 

Adrian graduated from DePaul University’s Strobel Honors Accounting Program with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and has worked as a Senior Accountant at Orbus Exhibit & Display Group and as a Financial Analyst at CBRE. 

Adrian is a CPA licensed in the state of Illinois and is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.

Adrian is involved in volunteer work and social issues, and he enjoys the culture that the city of Chicago has to offer. You can often find Adrian and his wife visiting new restaurants or plays. 

Adrian is fluent in Romanian.

Mathew Manning
Partner
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Mathew is a Partner at Manning Silverman & Company. Mathew earned both his Bachelor and Master degree in Accounting from Michigan State University. Upon graduation MSU was ranked 7th best accounting program in the nation.

Mathew grew up in an accounting family and has been involved with the Manning Silverman & Company family his whole life. He has been exposed to accounting, auditing, handling investments, incorporating businesses, and preparing tax returns.

Mathew enjoys working with start-up companies to brain-storm and give advice to help them thrive; as well as handling investments, Defined Benefit Plans, Profit Sharing Plans, 401ks, and IRAs for clients to help them puruse their financial goals.

Registered Representative with Cetera Financial Specialists LLC

Michael Comm, CPA
Principal
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Mike is primarily an Audit Principal at Manning Silverman & Company but he also provides tax, accounting and consulting services to closely held businesses and a variety of clientele. Mike’s expertise is in not-for-profit organizations, medical practices, construction and manufacturing businesses.

Mike joined Manning Silverman & Company in 1998. Prior to that, Mike was the Assistant Controller at the Jewish Community Center of Chicago. Mike started his accounting career in 1984 at a large Chicago CPA firm.

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign and earned his CPA in 1984.

Mike also is an adjunct faculty member at Oakton Community College where he instructed students in accounting and business computer software such as QuickBooks and Excel. Mike has been active in his Congregation, having served as treasurer, and enjoys sports and travel. Mike lives in Buffalo Grove with his wife Paula, and children Joshua and Sarah.

Paola Meinzer
Vice President of Marketing and Business Development
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Paola Meinzer has over 20 years of Marketing, Sales and Public Relations experience acquired by working within a variety of fields including advertising, marketing and community outreach.

Paola is the marketing director, responsible for business development at Manning Silverman and Company.  She truly enjoys her position because it allows her to proudly represent the great team of CPAs and accountants at Manning Silverman.  She enjoys providing advocacy through educational seminars and developing new partnerships for the firm and she looks forward to continuing to build the company’s brand and new strategic partnerships in support of clients.

Paola is a Colombian native who emigrated to the United States over 15 years ago.  She is also a proud parent of two wonderful girls, Stephanie and Bella and is passionate about serving her surrounding communities.  She thrives on consistently providing support through engagement in business organizations.  She has been recognized as a leader in her community and has served on several boards, including the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.  She currently serves as a Trustee for St. Augustine College.  In 2014, she was featured in a national magazine as one of Chicago’s Leaders of the Future for her personal commitment in representing the strength and professionalism of Latinas in the workplace, in their quest to achieve the American dream.

Paola’s favorite quote is from Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Barry Manning
Marketing Director
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Barry serves as the main point of contact when it comes to marketing and client services. He prides himself in satisfying our client needs.

Barry started out as a Manager at McDonalds corporation and has also been self-employed in various businesses. He has been at Manning Silverman & Company since the beginning and has been present for all 35 years of operations. The firm couldn’t have accomplished or grown as much as it has without Barry.

Barry is a family man and when he is not working, he likes to watch TV and go to events with his wife and daughter. Barry also enjoys spending time with his grandson.

Bert Rosenberg, CPA
Tax Manager
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Bert is a Senior Tax Manager at Manning Silverman & Company with over 40 years of experience in the industry. In his current role, he provides tax related services to both small and large, closely held businesses as well as to individuals. Bert proactively works with his Manning Silverman clients to do extensive tax planning, preparation and review, and IRS resolutions. His experience with the IRS and extensive knowledge of the recent new tax law allows Bert to be an advocate for his clients and find the best possible solution for specific tax related issues.

Bert has been and is currently a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants(AICPA) and the Illinois Certified Public Accountants Society since the 1970s. Bert is also an elected trustee for Arlington Heights, Illinois, having served in that capacity for over 17 years.

Bert in his leisure time likes to relax by going fishing, playing golf and traveling to new and exciting places.

Carmen Jimenez
Senior Accountant
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Carmen Jimenez has over 15 years of experience providing accounting and tax services to many small businesses and individuals. Her goal is to educate her clients and help them accomplish their tax and business goals. Carmen has an entrepreneurial spirit and is interested in growing her network to be a good source of referrals for her clients. She is a certified QuickBooks Pro.

Carmen is a graduate of DePaul University. Her civic involvement includes being one of the Co-founders of the Hispanic Business Network-Chicago, an organization that focuses on career development, cultural awareness, community involvement and commerce. Carmen is a graduate of DePaul University. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Carmen is a HUGE White Sox fan and enjoys attending baseball games in her free time. You can also find her visiting different breweries in her free time when she is not volunteering and being a good servant leader.

Colin Silverman
Senior Accountant
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Colin is an associate at Manning Silverman & Company and continues to be a jack of all trades. Colin provides accounting and tax consulting to many small businesses and works on audits of nonprofit and for-profit companies. Colin seeks to bring exceptional customer service to all of his clients and handles most of the firm’s client facing technology. Colin especially enjoys working with new companies and seeing them grow.

Colin graduated with a Bachelors and Masters degree in accounting from the Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Florida. While Colin attended the University of Florida, it ranked as the number five public university in the country. On campus Colin was involved in many clubs and organizations and served as president of one of the “big 8” clubs at Florida. Before attending college, Colin served as a member of the board of directors and as the international president for BBYO, an international youth led organization engaging over 100,000 people in 40 countries.

Colin continues to be involved in his local community and enjoys exploring all the activities Chicago has to offer. In his free time, you can find him at your local street festival, a Cubs game, or the many walking trails in the area.

Diana Troutman, CPA
Tax Manager
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Diana serves as the “guru” when it comes to automated accounting software and systems. She is especially versed in all forms of QuickBooks. She is a certified QuickBooks administrator. Diana is also the go-to person for staff knowledge issues.

Diana graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting. She has had experience with many different companies.

Diana enjoys spending time with her family. A mother of four and now grandmother.

Judy Manning
Executive Assistant
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Judy is an Executive Assistant who helps with much of the back office work. Judy handles all of the partner’s personal work and handles the firm’s billing. Judy has been with the firm since its inception.

Judy graduated from University of Illinois with an Accounting Degree. She has been a partner in business prior to joining Manning Silverman.

Judy enjoys spending time with her family, sports and extensive traveling.

Marina Dushkin
Accounting Associate
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Marina provides bookkeeping and accounting services to our clients. She is very active in helping our clients keep their books current and accurate. She also prepares payroll, sales tax and income tax returns. Marina is very detailed, organized, gives it her all and her clients love working with her. Marina is so dedicated to her clients.

Marina graduated from St. Petersburg State University in Russia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She has 5 years of experience at the corporate level and 15 years of public accounting.

Marina is a big hockey fan and a past goalie mom.

She is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and some Polish languages.

Michele Polakoff
Payroll, Sales Tax & Accounting Manager
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Michele is the payroll, sales tax and accounting manager for Manning Silverman & Company.

Michele proofs all audits; reviews payroll and sales tax returns; prepares compilations in addition to other activities requested by the firm.

Michele has worked at Manning Silverman for the past 27 years in multiple capacities. Prior to Manning Silverman, Michele was an accountant for another local CPA Firm. Michele obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois.

Michele excels in client relationships as she is proactive and responsive to client needs. Clients appreciate her attention to detail.

Michele is a grandmother of 2 and enjoys chasing them around. She also loves games and puzzles.

Robin Walovitch, CPA
Accounting Manager
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Robin provides accounting and tax services for Manning Silverman & Company clients. She is well versed in QuickBooks (she is a Pro Advisor), payroll and sales tax. Robin prides herself in providing excellent customer service and follow through to our client base.

Robin received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern Illinois University. She has worked in both public and private industry accounting, including a stint at Allstate Insurance. Robin has been with Manning Silverman & Company for over 20 years.

Robin enjoys her family and dogs, although which comes first is up for debate.