staff Profiles
Louis Zona, CPA
Lou is the founder and current owner of the firm. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University in 1968, he started the company in 1971. He graduated with a degree in Science and Health and did graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh in Exercise Physiology. While teaching in the public schools he decided to change careers. Acquiring the required credits from both Penn State and the local Community College, he sat for and passed the CPA exam in his initial effort.
A skillful negotiator and public speaker, Lou learned the accounting profession by experience. Working in the economically booming western Pennsylvania steel mill environment in the 1970's and the same economically devastated areas in the 1980's and 1990's had a great effect on how to translate accounting to reality. Lou's strength is communication and that strength has allowed his firm not only to survive but to prosper during the turbulent 1980's and 1990's. He has represented numerous clients in both criminal and civil courts as an expert witness. Additionally, Lou represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for compliance, negotiation and settlement purposes.
He is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
He is an avid outdoorsman who has a pilot's license and races his BMW. Lou is also a buyer and seller of American coins and currency and operates a retail shop in the Cranberry Township location.
Lori Zona, CPA
Lori began working with the firm, full time in 2004 as an accountant. She previously worked during the summer for the firm while both in high school and college. Lori received her accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant in 2010.
She specializes in corporate taxation and financial statement preparation. She has experience as an expert witness in criminal court cases and represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Lori has a B.S. in Finance, with minors in Business Law and Kinesiology, from Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 2000.
After graduating, Lori opened Zona’s Coffeehouse and Creamery, a joint coffeehouse and ice cream shop. She owned and operated that through 2003, and continued running her spin-off Internet gift basket business until 2009. Her experience as an actual owner/manager of a business provides her with comprehensive insights to the real problems that businesses have. In her spare time, Lori enjoys coaching gymnastics and loves to spend time with her son.
Terri Bernabie, Payroll Office Manager
Terri began with the company in 1987 as an office manager. She continues her role as office manager in additional to preparing and managing our client payroll services and sales tax reporting. She is also responsible for the accounts receivable and accounts payable functions for the firm.
She and her husband Dan enjoy taking walks and fine dining. In addition to being an ardent reader, Terri is an avid gardener.
Wendy Zona, Senior Accountant, IRS ASFP Certification
Wendy graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors degree in Accounting and an emphasis in Finance in 1999. Wendy has significant experience from various corporate finance departments and brings over 15 years as an accountant in the financial services industry to the firm.
She began her career as an internal auditor at PaineWebber/UBS in New York City. Subsequent to her audit role she transferred to Morgan Stanley Headquarters for a more challenging position working as a Financial Controller in the Mortgage Backed Securities trading area for years. More recently she brings her 6+ years of experience as a corporate tax associate at Fidelity Investments, based in Boston, to the firm.