Meet Our Principals
Stability built on long-term relationships with our clients, staff and with each other.
Among the many advantages we offer our clients, stability stands out from our peers. Our long working relationships provide a strong foundation from which we serve our clients. All available principals meet daily to discuss client issues and needs. This daily interaction provides our clients with the experience of all of the Firm’s principals and ultimately, provides our clients with an advantage in achieving success.
John Savastano and Kenneth Kaufman have worked together since 1975 and as partners since 1979. Brett Rea joined them as a staff member in 1983, was promoted to manager in 1986 and partner in 1990. Linda Wescott joined the firm as Manager in 1994 and became its fourth partner in 2000. Victor D’Ambrosio joined the firm as a college intern in 1992 and worked at all staff positions during his tenure at the firm culminating in his promotion to partner in January 2009. Sara Kaufman joined the firm in 2012 as Audit Manager and was promoted to partner in 2021.
Commitment – stability – consistency – All values reflected in the leading members of our team.
John H. Savastano, C.P.A.
Principal at Savastano Kaufman Advisors, LLC
John Savastano is a co-founder of Savastano, Kaufman & Company, LLC. John’s vast range of experience includes clients in industries such as manufacturing, real estate, nursing homes, construction contracting, advertising and unions.
John has over forty-five years of diversified public accounting, auditing and tax experience servicing a variety of closely held businesses and high net worth individuals. John has been highly successful in negotiating new banking facilities and numerous acquisitions and sales for his clients.
John is a certified public accountant in New Jersey, New York and Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.
John holds a BS degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickenson University.
“Since our firm began we pride ourselves on providing our clients with intimate, responsive service. Among one of the most important things we do for our clients is help them plan for the future and build wealth.”
Kenneth N. Kaufman, C.P.A.
Partner at Savastano, Kaufman & Company, LLC
Member at Savastano Kaufman Advisors, LLC
Kenneth Kaufman is a co-founder of Savastano, Kaufman & Company, LLC. Ken’s focus is in estate planning and tax planning in various industries including real estate, construction, property management and professional services.
Ken has over forty-five years of experience in public accounting, auditing, and tax servicing a variety of closely held businesses, trusts, estates and high net worth individuals. Ken has been very successful in negotiating favorable outcomes in both Internal Revenue Service and State tax audits for his clients, as well as formulating effective estate plans to minimize his client’s taxes and preserve wealth.
Ken is a certified public accountant in New Jersey, New York and Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and the New York Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ken holds a BS in accounting from Pace University.
“We pride ourselves in being part of our client’s management team and not just traditional compliance accountants.”
Brett A. Rea, C.P.A.
Partner at Savastano, Kaufman & Company, LLC
Member at Savastano Kaufman Advisors, LLC
Brett Rea has over forty years of experience in public accounting serving closely held businesses of all sizes. He was a member of the firm when it was founded in 1986 and became a principal in 1990. Brett follows the firm philosophy of delivering a high level of quality service in a cost effective manner to support clients and enhance their success. He has expertise providing privately held companies with auditing, accounting and tax services and has had significant exposure to contractors, manufacturers, environmental services, technology, non-profit organizations and international commerce. Brett has been highly successful in guiding his international clients through the complex tax and reporting issues that they face.
Brett is a certified public accountant in New Jersey and he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Brett holds a BS degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickenson University.
“Much more than providing compliance and reporting services, Savastano Kaufman and Company has built its firm on being committed to the success of its clients. We firmly believe that each of our clients deserves the direct attention of our principals. Only by maintaining close communication and frequent contact do we develop the deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and provide the framework for bringing true value. First, we listen.”
Linda A. Wescott, C.P.A.
Partner at Savastano, Kaufman & Company, LLC
Member at Savastano Kaufman Advisors, LLC
Linda Wescott has over thirty-five years of diversified public accounting, auditing and tax experience. She has been a member of the firm since 1994 and became a principal on January 1, 2000.
Linda has a broad industry background which includes clients in manufacturing, construction contracting, retail, nursing homes, international distributors, unions, environmental services, real estate and employee benefit plans.
Linda has experience in servicing a variety of closely held businesses, estates, trusts and individuals. She heads the Firm’s Quality Review Committee and administers the Firm’s peer review. Linda has been extremely successful in applying complex accounting and auditing concepts to her clients in an understandable way resulting in producing quality financial statements effectively and efficiently.
Linda is a certified public accountant in New Jersey and Florida. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Public Accountants.
Linda holds a BS in accounting from The College of New Jersey.
“In today’s complex credit environment, financial statement planning has become as crucial to the success of our clients’ businesses as tax planning. We work side by side with our clients to ensure their financial statements present an accurate and beneficial representation of their business. Our financial statements are well respected by area banks.”
Victor J. D’Ambrosio, C.P.A.
Principal at Savastano Kaufman Advisors, LLC
Victor D’Ambrosio has over thirty years of diversified public accounting, auditing and tax experience. He has been a member of the firm since 1992 and became a principal on January 1, 2009.
Victor’s experience includes clients in manufacturing, distribution, personal services, labor unions and not-for-profits.
Victor has expertise in servicing a variety of closely held businesses, estates, trusts, and individuals and has been very successful in providing tax planning services for his clients in both established and start-up businesses.
Victor is a certified public accountant in New Jersey, and he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also has held several executive positions and currently serves as Chairman of a local water utility authority. In addition, he is a current member and past President of BNI Growth Partners, which is a local networking group designed to help members develop business relationships.
Victor holds a BS degree in accounting from Montclair State College.
“Our firm is committed to keeping pace with the ever-changing world of tax compliance and financial statement reporting by investing in the training and development of our dedicated staff. This investment in continuing education allows us to provide competent advice so that our clients may make informed business decisions. We understand the important role we have as trusted professionals, and we work hard to ensure that we meet the needs of our clients and exceed their expectations.”
Sara F. Kaufman, C.P.A.
Principal at Savastano, Kaufman & Company, LLC
Member at Savastano Kaufman Advisors, LLC
Sara Kaufman has over fifteen years of public accounting experience, including audit and tax services. She has been a member of the firm since 2012 and became a principal on July 1, 2021.
Sara provides accounting, auditing and tax services to a diverse mix of privately held businesses. As a former manager of Deloitte & Touche, she specializes in complex accounting, auditing and tax matters. She excels at improving the audit experience for her clients and producing high quality financial statements.
Sara is a certified public accountant in New Jersey and New York. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Public Accountants.
Sara graduated cum laude and holds a BSBA degree in accounting and finance from Boston University.
“We have a client-centric approach and nothing is more important than being a value added part of our client’s advisory team.”
Services
If you want an accounting firm that will listen to you, explain your financials to you, your bank and members of your team, and offer ideas for your consideration, then look to the professionals, at Savastano, Kaufman & Company.