Bucknam & Conley is a leading-edge, cloud-based firm focusing on tax and business advisory services for domestic companies and their owners. We are headquartered in Saratoga Springs, NY and have the technology and resources to service our clients no matter where they are located.
Melinda Bucknam, CPA, Co-Managing Partner
Melinda brings over 30 years of experience as a CPA advising small-to-medium businesses and their owners on tax planning, tax strategy, accounting, and business operations. Her extensive work with restaurants, real estate firms, construction companies, veterinary practices and other specialty retail has given her a well-rounded business perspective. Melinda’s clients benefit from her broad view on the impact of accounting, tax and general business financing issues on overall business operations and strategy.
Over the past decade, Melinda has expanded her client work to include “virtual CFO” service. In this role, she advises clients on comprehensive financial strategy questions, oversees their accounting staff, and applies her expert eye to help recruit the finest accounting and finance professionals to her clients. Further, Melinda’s perspective on key operating metrics in a variety of industries is invaluable in establishing key performance indicators.
Melinda received her formal training from two of the largest international accounting firms, then Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand. She graduated from the University of Florida and first obtained her CPA license in the state of Florida. She is currently licensed in both Colorado and New York and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Carissa Conley, CPA, Co-Managing Partner
Carissa serves as the head of the tax department, utilizing her strong technical knowledge of the tax code and IRS rulings, to assure our clients of the very best tax guidance. Her focus is on providing clients with relevant tax services by taking time to understand their business, staying current with seemingly constant changes in multi-state and federal law, and using this combined knowledge to provide proactive planning and advisory services that reduce taxes, maximizes profit, and enables growth.
Carissa has been a CPA since 2006. She is dedicated to helping privately-owned businesses, business owners, and investors across the country handle complex tax issues. Her experience working with businesses of all sizes and in various sectors—coupled with rigorous continuing education—provides her with a wealth of knowledge and positions her as a trusted advisor to her clients.
Carissa completed Upstream Academy’s Emerging Leaders Academy, a three-year CPA leadership program and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
She regularly shares helpful tips and unique insights on LinkedIn. Connect with her today.
Daulton McHale, CPA, Supervisor
Daulton joined our firm in 2020. He has been a public accounting professional since 2018. Daulton graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Siena College in 2017, with a major in Accounting, and minor in Information Systems. He then went on to earn his Master of Science in Accounting in 2018 and earned his CPA license in 2022.
Daulton has experience with all types of tax returns and financial statements engagements. He has prepared business and individual tax returns as well as compilations, reviews, and audits in a wide variety of industries. His knowledge of computers and applications helps us keep up to date on the latest accounting and tax apps available.
Daulton is originally from East Greenbush, NY and has been inching his way toward living in Saratoga, as it is his favorite place to be.
Tori Trerise, Tax Accountant and Accounting Manager
Tori joined the firm in September 2021 as our interim office administrator while she learned the ins and outs of the firm’s procedures. She has now officially moved into a full-time tax and accounting staff role and focuses on providing excellent client service.
Tori graduated from the University at Albany in July 2021 with a major in Accounting and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Accountancy. She aims to get an educated experience working at the firm to advance her proficiency in tax and in turn pass it down to clients. In 2023, Tori plans to work towards her CPA license.
From growing up in Saratoga Springs, she has made strong connections with members of the local community and looks forward to making many more new connections. Tori enjoys spending time outdoors with her son, boyfriend and shortly, their new daughter. Their favorite hobby is mountain biking and riding on their backyard bike track.
Riley Markle, Operations Manager
Riley is new to the firm as of October 2022. She graduated from the University at Albany in 2019 and is currently enrolled in an MBA program at Empire State University.
Riley has worked in operations for three years and HR for one year. She has experience developing and streamlining processes and procedures for firms to increase efficiency and overall performance. She will be assisting the firm in administrative duties as well as project management. She also will help build and maintain client relationships and offer excellent support to both clients and to the firm.
Riley is from Central New York and enjoys playing in the Saratoga Softball League in the summer and fall, as well as hiking and spending time with her fiancé, two cats and hopefully a puppy soon!
Sophia Tagliafierro, Administrative Assistant
Sophia joined our firm in January 2023 and is a first year student at SUNY Empire State College. She is pursuing a bachelors degree in accounting and is hoping to obtain her CPA license after graduation. Sophia has lived in this area her whole life and enjoys listening to country music and especially going to live concerts! She also enjoys reading, walking her dog in the local parks and on local hiking trails.
What Our Clients Are Saying
“Working with Bucknam and Conley as our CPA’s has proven to be invaluable. The depth of insight, strategy, and thought they have brought to the table has been unparalleled. Whether it’s how to structure an acquisition, strategic development of a part of our business, helping us spot trends, or good old tax planning their dedication to our success in each endeavor leaves us feeling more like a partner than a client.”
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