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 Family Offices, Hedge Funds, REITs and private equity funds invested across several sectors including real estate, healthcare, venture, energy and structured credit.

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

Ivory Pineda CPA started her career with Ernst & Young Philippines (SGV & Co.) before joining EC Ortiz, now Roth&Co LLP, in 2017. She utilizes her broad experience in financial auditing and compliance issues to serve Roth&Co clients as a Manager for the Chicago Audit Team.

EXPERIENCE

Ivory has directed financial audit engagements for a range of industries, including real estate, construction, retail, manufacturing, and not-for-profits. She manages financial audit and state compliance examination engagements of governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. She also oversees the firm’s annual, semi-annual, and quarterly agreed-upon procedure engagements for the Illinois Gaming Board.

EDUCATION

Ivory graduated  Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She was awarded the Punongbayan & Aurollo Leadership Gold Medal Award at Far Eastern University-Manila in April 2011. Ivory is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of California and in the Philippines and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

BEYOND ROTH&CO

Ivory enjoys her leisure time working out, watching documentaries, and visiting museums.