SARAH R. PIOT CPA

Sarah is a shareholder in the tax advisory practice, bringing over 20 years of public accounting experience. She excels in delivering comprehensive tax services to a diverse array of tax-exempt organizations, including social service organizations, arts and cultural entities, higher education institutions, private foundations and business and professional associations.

Sarah’s expertise includes supervising the preparation of tax-exempt organizations’ returns and addressing specialized issues unique to these entities, such as:

  • Compensation and private inurement issues

  • Unrelated business income analysis

  • Foreign information reporting requirements

  • Board member relationships and transactions with disqualified persons

  • Conflict-of-interest best practices and annual execution

Education

B.S.- Accounting, Robert Morris University

Professional and Community Involvement

Chair—Schneider Downs Not-for-Profit Industry Group

Member—AICPA Tax-Exempt Technical Resource Panel

Member—American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

Board Member—FISA Foundation

Member—TEGE Exempt Organizations Council

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Do you have a hobby/personal passion?   
Traveling

Who is your role model? 
My parents.

What was your childhood dream? 
To become a maid.  I love to clean.

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?   
I started at Schneider Downs as an Intern when I was in college.

What was your first job?   
Dairy Queen

Do you have a “motto”? (spoken or unspoken) 
You never know what people are going through Be Kind.  Always.

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Relax and watch Netflix.

Do you have advice for young professionals? 
Find a mentor.  Be confident, yet humble.

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: Incorrect Accounting Methods


Big Thinking: Seven Figure Tax Savings.

Shareholder GENNARO DIBELLO has widespread experience in all areas of tax and business planning associated with closely held companies, and he's been with Schneider Downs since 1987.
During a routine review of one of our client's operations, Gennaro's team identified something that wasn't very routine at all. They discovered that the client was using multiple incorrect methods and calculations for computing tax depreciation for their fixed assets. Gennaro met the client to discuss the issue, presented a solution to correct the problem, quantified the results, and implemented the changes resulting in a favorable adjustment of nearly $4.5 million. Gennaro's expertise and eye for detail was critical in helping this client fix a problem they didn't even realize that they had. "We're good at identifying opportunities or exposures that aren't on our clients' radars," Gennaro said. "It's not necessarily what we were originally retained to do, but while we're executing our engagements, we're always looking for new ways to help our clients and minimize their tax burden." 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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