MERRIMACK, N.H. — Melanson announced the hiring of two of its newest managers, Teressa Bezenar, CPA, CFE, and Garrett Kelly, CPA.

Bezenar has been in the accounting profession for more than two decades and recently joined Melanson’s Commercial Services team. Her focus is in taxation for individuals, corporations, flow-through entities, and estates, and she has extensive knowledge in construction and real-estate businesses.

Bezenar received a master’s degree in accounting and a graduate certificate in forensic accounting at Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Metropolitan State University in 1998. She earned her CPA licensure in Minnesota in 2002 and Missouri in 2020. In 2018, she became a certified fraud examiner. She holds memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Minnesota Society of Certied Public Accountants, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Delta Mu Delta. She spends some of her spare time volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion Riders, Minnesota Patriot Guard, and Knots of Love.

Kelly has been a tax accountant for more than five years and has joined Melanson’s Commercial Services team in Merrimack, N.H. He provides tax planning, compliance, and prep for high net-worth individuals and a variety of businesses. His other areas of focus include bank taxation, real estate, and flow-through entities.

Kelly received his master of taxation degree at Baylor University in 2016 and a bachelor of business administration degree, accounting in 2015. In 2018 he received his CPA licensure. He is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Before his recent move to New Hampshire, he enjoyed working with and volunteering his time as a youth leader at his church.

MERRIMACK, N.H. — Melanson announced the admittance of its newest principal, Duy Nguyen. The accounting firm also announced the promotion of Christopher Hill to chief financial officer.

Nguyen works in the Commercial Tax Department at Melanson and has been with the firm since 2014. He is a certified public accountant licensed in New Hampshire and practices out of the firm’s Merrimack office. Since joining Melanson, his focus has been on foreign taxation, multi-state taxation, and venture-capital taxation. His previous experience includes managing tax departments for multi-national corporations.

Nguyen received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant College. He holds memberships in the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

“We are proud to announce Duy’s promotion to principal,” said Lori Liberty, principal. “His strong work ethic and exceptional technical skills benefit both the firm and our clients. Personally, I am excited to see what Duy will contribute to the future of the firm.”

Hill has been Melanson’s controller since 2013. Since joining the firm, he has managed its accounting and budgeting, facilities, administrative staff, licensing and compliance, software systems, and other special projects. He received an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin Pierce University.

“This is a well-deserved promotion,” said Lee Kubishta, chief operating officer. “I work closely with Chris every day. I appreciate his passion for what he does, his high level of integrity, and his commitment to the firm. With Chris’ deep understanding of our business paired with his amazing analytical skills, he is able to provide financial reporting that is unparalleled and insightful, which helps us run our business.”

GREENFIELD — Melanson announced that Patrice Squillante, CPA, principal at the accounting firm, has passed away after battling cancer over the past year.

Squillante came to Melanson in 1987 and became a principal in 1995. She was instrumental in developing the firm’s governmental practice and making it what it is today. She spearheaded the firm’s governmental audits and was responsible for the uniform guidance (single-audit) protocols and compliance.

“The entire Melanson team is grieving this great loss and will be keeping Pat’s family in our thoughts during this difficult time,” the firm said in a statement. “For the last 33 years, she was not just a colleague, but a true friend and mentor who always knew how to keep things fun and make us laugh. Pat will be greatly missed by not only our team, but by her clients as well.”

NASHUA, N.H. — Melanson Heath, one of the fastest-growing accounting firms in the U.S., announced that the company will begin operating under a new name and will be known as Melanson, effective immediately.

This rebranding strategy reflects both the evolution of the company and its vision for the future. Along with this change, a newly redesigned company logo has been revealed, and a new website, melansoncpas.com, has been launched.

“As part of our focus on expansion and business development, our leadership team and I believe it was appropriate to rebrand our firm to more specifically reflect who we are,” said Managing Partner Scott Toothaker, CPA. “We are very excited about the introduction of our new company name, Melanson, because it allows us to better represent our business to our clients and community. We are also very happy about the launch of our new website, which features our own employees and better reflects the personality found at Melanson. We are not just an accounting firm; we are a partner for our clients.”