Partners and Managers

Scott W. Frick, CPA

Managing Partner

717-393-0767 ext. 326

PRACTICE AREAS

• Tax Planning and Preparation
• Business Consulting, Succession and Estate Planning
• Reviews and Compilations
• Construction and Contracting
• Hospitality, Wholesale and Retail, and Manufacturing Industries

Scott joined Bertz, Hess & Co., LLP in 1982.  He graduated from Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  Scott was named managing partner of the firm effective January 1, 2012.

Scott is active in many local organizations.  He is a former treasurer of the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County.  He is a past president and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Lancaster-South and a past treasurer of the Lampeter-Strasburg Educational Foundation.

Scott is an avid hunter and enjoys golf and fishing as well.  He resides in Lancaster County with his wife Nora.  They have three adult children.

Laura A. Bender, CPA

Partner

717-393-0767 ext. 308

PRACTICE AREAS

• Audit & Attest Services
• Not-for-Profit Organizations
• Manufacturing Companies
• Real Estate and Homeowners Associations
• Tax Planning & Preparation

Laura graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  She began her career with Hess & Hess, CPA’s, a predecessor firm of Bertz, Hess & Co., LLP in 2003, immediately following her graduation. She was promoted to partner in 2009.

She is a former Treasurer and Session Member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA.  Laura also has extensive involvement with a number of family-related small businesses, in the healthcare, financial services and retail industries.

Laura enjoys playing tennis and running. She lives in Lancaster County with her husband and twin daughters.

Thomas A. Wobber, CPA

Partner

717-393-0767 ext. 348

PRACTICE AREAS

• Audit & Attest Services
• Internal Control Evaluation
• Construction and Real Estate, Not-For-Profit, Manufacturing/Distribution, and Employee Benefit Plans
• Tax Planning & Preparation
• Business Consulting

Thomas joined Bertz, Hess & Co. LLP in 2009 with over 15 years experience in the accounting industry.  He is a graduate of Loyola University in Baltimore, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).  In addition to his general responsibilities as a partner, he currently serves as the firm’s quality assurance specialist for all audit, review and compilation engagements.  Thomas has extensive experience in the  construction, real estate development, and not-for-profit (including OMB A-133/Yellow Book) accounting, serving clients with a wide array of asset and revenue bases ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 billion.

As part of the Lancaster County community, Thomas is currently a board member of the Occupational Development Center and serves on their finance committee.  He also volunteers with the 4-H camping program, and serves as treasurer on the Western Maryland 4-H Educational Center Advisory Board and is also a Cubmaster in his son’s Cub Scout Pack.

Thomas enjoys playing golf, camping and snow skiing. He lives in York County with his wife and three children.

Robert J. Bertz, CPA

Consultant

717-393-0767 ext. 321

PRACTICE AREAS

• Tax Planning and Preparation
• Audits, Reviews & Compilations
• Contruction, Auto Dealerships, and Distribution Industries
• Business Management Consulting
• Estate and Succession Planning

Robert joined Bertz, Hess & Co. LLP in 1969, after several years of experience with a national firm.  He is a graduate from King’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.  He served as managing partner of the firm for many years, and performs extensive management consulting services with a number of clients, as well as a broad array of tax, accounting, and estate planning services.

Robert is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). In his free time, he enjoys boating and spending time at the Chesapeake Bay. Robert and his wife reside in Lancaster.

Tamara M. Pelsinski, CPA

Tax Manager

717-393-0767 ext. 330

PRACTICE AREAS

• Tax planning and Preparation
• Business Consulting
• Estates and Trusts
• Not-for-Profit Organizations

Tammy joined Bertz, Hess & Co. LLP in 1984.  She graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree (magna cum laude) in Accounting.  She has 29 years of experience in public accounting in the areas of accounting, auditing and taxation.  Her experience includes tax research, planning and preparation for closely held family businesses, large privately owned companies, not-for-profit organizations, individuals, estates and trusts.  Tammy is involved in the identification of tax problems and tax planning opportunities for many of our clients.

Tammy volunteers as the assistant treasurer for a local nonprofit organization assuming the day-to –day bookkeeping and administrative functions.  She also assists her husband with ex-offenders and prison aftercare.

Tammy enjoys gardening and traveling.  She lives in Lancaster with her family.

Lee O. Stevens, CPA

Tax Manager

717-393-0767 ext. 351

PRACTICE AREAS

• Tax Planning and Preparation
• Not-for-Profit Organizations
• Business Consulting

Lee joined Bertz, Hess & Co., LLP in 2010. He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (cum laude) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.  As a tax manager, Lee is responsible for preparation and review of various individual and business tax returns, keeping abreast of tax law changes and researching tax issues for the firm.

Lee is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

Outside of his work schedule, Lee is active in church, enjoys gardening, antiquing, the beach, the Steelers and spending time with his grandchildren.  He and his wife live in Mountville.

Clifford R. Wenger

Tax Manager

717-393-0767 ext. 375

PRACTICE AREAS

• Tax Planning and Preparation
• Business Consulting
• Payroll Tax

Cliff joined Bertz, Hess & Co., LLP in 2016. He graduated from Goshen College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. Prior to joining the firm, Cliff worked for over 25 years for a law firm providing financial services for his employer while also preparing tax returns for clients of the law firm.

Cliff has volunteered as treasurer for several local soccer clubs and has assisted with a variety of financial functions at church.

Cliff enjoys the beach, hiking, watching English soccer games and spending summer evenings watching the hummingbirds zoom to the feeders in his backyard. Cliff and his wife live in the New Holland area.

Christopher “C.J.” Rhoades

Tax Director

717-393-0767 ext. 310

PRACTICE AREAS

• Tax Planning and Preparation
• Business Consulting

C.J. brings 23 years of public accounting and tax experience to Bertz, Hess & Co.  His experience spans a number of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, construction, and various professional services.  He is a graduate of Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  He also obtained his Masters in Taxation from the University of Baltimore.  C.J. takes pride in simplifying complex tax issues, so that clients can make well-informed decisions.

C.J. is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and is an avid fan of the Ravens, Orioles and Capitals.  He currently lives in York, PA with his wife and two sons, where he also serves as the Treasurer of the Central York Lacrosse Club.

Matthew Whitaker

Audit Manager

717-393-0767 ext. 346

PRACTICE AREAS

• Attest Engagements for Small Businesses
• Not For Profits
• Homeowner’s Associations
• Employee Benefit Plans

Matthew joined Bertz, Hess & Co., LLP in 2011. He graduated from the College of William and Mary. Matthew is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). He has experience with a variety of clients including small businesses, not-for-profit entities and employee benefit plans.

Matthew is an Eagle Scout and was among the top ten scorers in Pennsylvania on the Uniform CPA Examination in 2012. He serves on the Finance Committee for his Church and as Assistant Cubmaster for his sons’ Cub Scout Pack. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, being outdoors and watching sports.