SYRACUSE — Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC (DB&B) announced it has launched a new service line, called Custom Accounting Solutions (CAS), “in response to a growing demand for back office accounting support.” 

Many back-office accounting operations “may be struggling” remotely right now and real-time data is “needed now more than ever,” DB&B contends.

“We launched the services to the public on that date but we have been working with select clients [since] the fall of 2019 to get our processes in place,” says Karen Hovey, a partner at Dermody, Burke & Brown and the lead partner of CAS.

The firm decided to pursue the new service line back in the fall, she notes.

By leveraging new technology and the right cloud products, DB&B says it can “deliver outsourced accounting support that is right” for any business, either in Central New York or across the nation.

DB&B is located at 443 N. Franklin St. in Franklin Center, which is part of Syracuse’s Franklin Square area. 

“We felt that there is a need in the community to provide real-time service to clients using new technology in cloud-based applications,” says Hovey. “With the COVID [pandemic] hitting and people working more remotely, we felt that this was even a greater opportunity to get the word out sooner that we have this process available for business owners to use.” 

Four DB&B employees are currently working on the service, but clients have access to employees across the entire firm, depending on what the customer needs, she notes. 

The new service has resulted in at least one new hire, who joined the firm in 2019. 

“We actually have hired a person … to work exclusively on this service and we will be expanding and hiring more people in the future,” says Hovey. 

To this point, four local businesses are using the service and have been using it since last fall. No firms have sought the service since DB&B announced it in late June. 

DB&B plans a digital-marketing campaign in August to attract potential clients for the new service, says Pennie Gorney, director of marketing at Dermody, Burke & Brown. 

The firm plans on marketing Custom Accounting Solutions to business owners and CEOs of closely held businesses and organizations, Gorney adds.

Both Hovey and Gorney spoke with CNYBJ in a phone interview on July 28.

DB&B’s CAS service line provides experience in “all levels” of finance and accounting to provide the “appropriate level” of accounting support needed, whether basic accounting, advanced accounting or a “full service” accounting department, the firm says.

Dermody, Burke & Brown operates offices in Syracuse, Auburn, New Hartford, and Rome. It employs nearly 100 people and describes itself as one of the largest independently, locally owned accounting and business-advisory firms in Central New York.     

The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (LASMNY) announced it has launched a new online application system open to residents of 13 counties across Central New York.

This online prescreening system will give clients a “new way” to provide personal information about their civil legal matters, LASMNY says.

LASMNY provides free civil legal information, advice, and representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer. It has offices in Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton, Watertown, Oswego, Oneonta, Cooperstown, and New Paltz.

The nonprofit sees the new system as a way to “evolve to meet the needs” of its clients as the region deals with the spread of COVID-19 and its economic impact. 

Through the online application, members of the community answer questions that allow LASMNY staff to prescreen an individual’s civil legal situation. After application submission, a paralegal will then contact the individual to gather additional information and determine the best course of action.

The online intake system is a “necessity in these unprecedented times,” according to Paul Lupia, executive director of LASMNY.

“The COVID-19 pandemic created a civil legal crisis. Domestic violence and sexual assault are both on the rise. Many people have lost their jobs, their homes are in jeopardy, or they are coming close to bankruptcy,” Lupia said in a statement. “Creating an online application process was crucial because we need to provide our clients with another way to safely disclose their civil legal issues remotely. We already have a successful HelpLine that has remained active during the pandemic. This new online application will make it easier for those in our community to utilize our services.”

The counties eligible for the new intake system are Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison, Herkimer, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Broome, and Delaware Counties. 

The new system will connect residents of these counties with LASMNY “like never before,” Christina Reilly, LASMNY’s managing attorney, said.

“The new website and online application process will have a transformational effect on LASMNY and the communities we serve,” Reilly said. “Individuals use our website to find answers to common civil legal questions. If they are seeking additional information or representation, they can apply online and get a prompt response from a paralegal.”   

SYRACUSE — Syracuse–based law firm Mackenzie Hughes LLP on July 27 announced it has added two new lawyers, Joseph Farrell and Brandan Ray, to the firm.

About Farrell 

Farrell has joined the law firm as a partner in its litigation department and will concentrate his legal practice on medical-malpractice defense.

Farrell has been practicing law for more than 10 years. He has defended physicians, midlevel providers, and facilities in medical-malpractice actions, per an email the firm sent to clients.

He has also represented medical providers in matters involving the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct and the New York State Office of Professional Development.

Farrell earned his law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and is a member of New York Bar Association and Onondaga County Bar Association.

About Ray

Ray has joined Mackenzie Hughes as an associate in the firm’s business department. 

His practice primarily focuses on business formation and governance, private investment transactions, and intellectual property. 

Ray has written an article for the Mackenzie Hughes blog on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which will have “broad application” for federal trademark registration, the firm said.

Ray received his law degree from Boston University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, as well as the Massachusetts Bar Association.