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JANELLE A. MERLO, CPA, CFP®

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[email protected]
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Janelle has over 20 years of public accounting experience, providing a wide variety of tax and consulting services to a broad range of clients. Janelle has extensive experience working with closely held businesses and their owners in the construction, manufacturing and natural resources industries. Additionally, she is a certified financial planner and has experience helping clients as a business advisor, applying tax technical and other knowledge to consult on a variety of areas including tax planning, business direction and sales of businesses.

Prior to joining Schneider Downs, Janelle served as a Tax Managing Director at a large global public accounting firm. She currently provides services to the firm’s clients that include coordination and review of corporate, partnership, and individual tax returns, including implementation of tax strategies.

Education

B.S.—Accounting, University of Pittsburgh, summa cum laude

Professional and Community Involvement

Member—The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member— Construction Financial Management Association
Member— Schneider Downs Construction Industry Group
Member— Schneider Downs Manufacturing Industry Group
Past Board Member—HEARTH, North Hills Affordable Housing
Graduate of Leadership Development Initiative XIX (Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc.)
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERtm Practitioner

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Do you have a hobby/personal passion?   
The beach, traveling, music, coffee.

What was your childhood dream?
To be a doctor.

People would be surprised to know that I… 
lived in Australia for a period of time while attending college.

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?
No two days are ever the same in public accounting. This profession is much more dynamic than most people think.

What was your first job?
A cashier/hostess at a Kings Family Restaurant.

Do you have a “motto”? (spoken or unspoken)
Treat others how you would like to be treated.

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?  
Go outside with my daughters.

Do you have advice for young professionals? 
Pick up the phone and call someone instead of emailing/messaging them.

JANELLE A. MERLO, CPA, CFP®

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: A Family-owned Business Needing Tax Advice.

Big Thinking: $1.4 Million In Eligible Deductions.

Shareholder MARK DIPIETRANTONIO has been with the firm since 1995 and brings extensive experience in all areas of tax planning, research and compliance.
When Mark was introduced to a new client, he learned through the course of the conversations about the nature of the business, their clients, and most interestingly, that they were not utilizing all of the tax deductions available in this specific industry. After some research, we determined that they were eligible for large deductions in excess of $1.4 million dollars, which had a huge impact on this family-owned business. “It felt great to be able to deliver such positive and unexpected news to this small business owner,” DiPietrantonio said. “By immediately amending the tax returns for the prior years in which the statute of limitations had not closed, we were able to secure a significant refund for them.” Schneider Downs provides Big Thinking and Personal Focus in delivering a variety of services for large and small businesses, both publicly and privately held, as well as nonprofit organizations, government entities and more. Through our commitment to thought leadership and knowledge management, we deliver the solutions our clients need with a personal commitment to service.
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