BACKGROUND

Aaron Galster, CPA came full circle when he joined Roth&Co as a partner in the Illinois office in 2021. His career path started at Roth&Co before advancing to the Big Four, where he led engagements on some of the largest public companies. He has over nine years of public accounting experience serving REITs and private equity funds invested across several sectors including energy, healthcare and residential and commercial real estate.

EXPERIENCE

Aaron applies his technical skills to improve the process for large-scale real estate clients that require a high volume of K-1s and tax return filings. His expertise includes tax compliance at a fund and property level, transaction analysis and taxpayer dispute resolution. Aaron works closely with clients to guide them through the latest Tax Reform, providing clear analysis on the tax implication on their investment returns.
Aaron’s motto is to “know your why”. For him, this translates as building a winning culture where people perform their best and have fun doing it.

EDUCATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Aaron received a B.S. in accounting from Touro College. He is a certified public accountant in the states of Illinois and New York, and is a member of the AICPA.

OUTSIDE OF ROTH&CO

Aaron is a long-time (and the fastest) member of the Roth&Co Bike4Chai cycling team and is involved with several local charities.

BACKGROUND
Darlene brings over 8 years of public accounting experience as an audit manager in Roth&Co Illinois Office. Darlene’s broad experience in audit, state agency engagements and compliance issues expands the firm’s ability to serve its wide range of clients. 

EXPERIENCE
Darlene began her career as an auditor at Ernst & Young, Philippines before joining E.C. Ortiz – now Roth&Co She has experience in auditing financial statements and handling state agency engagements with the Office of the Auditor General involving financial/Single Audit and compliance examination.

She also prepares financial statements for the Regional Office of Education and for not-for-profit entities.

EDUCATION
Darlene graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Colegio De Dagupan. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois, California and in the Philippines. She is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

BEYOND Roth&Co
When not at work, Darlene enjoys spending time with her friends. 

BACKGROUND

Syndelle C. Manuel has nine years of compliance and financial audit experience.  She was formerly employed as a Senior Associate in Sycip Gores Velayo & Co. (Ernst & Young Global Limited-Manila, Philippines) and a Senior Financial Reporting Accountant in CITCO International Support Services Limited – Philippines ROHQ until she joined E. C. Ortiz & Co., LLP in 2016. E. C. Ortiz & Co., LLP merged with Roth & Co., LLP effective July 1, 2020.

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Colegio de Dagupan (Cum Laude) – April 2011

Credentials:

Certified Public Accountant (Illinois) – November 2020

Certified Public Accountant (California) – June 2020

Work Experience:

State Agency Engagements with the Office of the Auditor General as special assistant auditor involving financial/single audit and/or compliance examination:

• Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
• Chicago State University
• University of Illinois
• Judicial Inquiry Board
• Department of Military Affairs
• Regional Office of Education #13
• Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission

Engagement with other Entities/Government Agencies:

• City of East St. Louis – Financial Audit
• East St. Louis Public Library – Financial Audit
• National Inclusion Project, Inc. – Financial Audit
• Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Bureau of Medicaid Integrity –

Long Term Care Facilities Post Payment Audits

• Illinois Gaming Board – Agreed Upon Procedures
• Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Financial Audit
• Regional Office of Education #34 – Compilation
• Regional Office of Education #8 – Compilation
• Intermediate Service Center #1 – Compilation
• Leo Burnett – Agreed Upon Procedures

BEYOND Roth&Co
When not in the office, Syndelle enjoys spending time with her family in Chicago.

BACKGROUND
Dandred is a Manager in Roth&Co’s Illinois office, supervising state agency engagements for not-for-profit clients, the Office of the Auditor General and other local government entities. 

EXPERIENCE
Dandred started his career in Ernst and Young, Philippines, before moving to Deloitte and Touché, Qatar. He also worked at PricewaterHouseCoopers LLP in Houston, Texas before joining E.C. Ortiz, now known as Roth&Co

EDUCATION
Dandred earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of the Philippines, in the Visayas Tacloban College. 

Dandred is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines and California and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

BEYOND Roth&Co
Dandred enjoys the outdoors and loves hiking, skiing and tennis.

BACKGROUND

Ed brings nearly 50 years of auditing and accounting experience to Roth&Co. He launched his career at Ernst and Whinney and Arthur Andersen, and in 1974, he founded E. C. Ortiz and Co., LLP.  After E.C. Ortiz saw 40 years of continuous growth, Ed orchestrated the merger of E. C. Ortiz and Roth&Co, ushering in a new chapter of collaboration and development.

EDUCATION

Ed holds an accounting degree from Far Eastern University, and attended Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Ed is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois CPA Society, Indiana CPA Society, Government Finance Officers Association, Institute of Internal Auditors and Institute of Management Accounting.

Ed is a former member of the Board of Directors of Illinois CPA Society and a member of the Founders Council of the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois. In 2010, he was the recipient of the Illinois CPA Society Lifetime Achievement Award. He is currently a member of Illinois CPA Society’s Political Action Committee and served as a member of the Nominating Committee from 2013 through 2016.