Associates in Accounting, PLC was established as a full service CPA firm to serve the tax, accounting and consulting needs of individuals and small businesses in the Burlington area. We strive to strike the perfect balance between small, local, attentive service and professional experience and expertise.
We believe that listening is the foundation of a lasting client relationship built on trust and respect. Our goal is to provide financial leadership, guidance and advice that you can really use to help you grow your business and become more successful.
Craig Isvak, CPA is the principal member and manager of the firm. Craig was raised in Westboro, Massachusetts and graduated from Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury, MA in 1985. From there, he went on to Northeastern University, in Boston, to gain experience in their co-operative work program and then transferred to UVM. Craig graduated in 1992 with a BSBA degree and a major in the rigorous and demanding professional accounting curriculum.
Craig came up to visit Vermont in 1987 when his mother, Lynne, moved to Waterbury to help her spouse run what is now the Best Western Inn on Blush Hill. He met his wife to be on that first trip up and kept coming back. Craig and Corinne married in 1993 and they have two children, Renate and Ethan, ages 15 and 12. They live in South Duxbury, VT. Corinne works part-time as a dental hygienist at Stowe Family Dentistry. Renate attends Harwood Union High School and Ethan attends Crossett Brook Middle School.
Craig's professional background is detailed - starting with local public accounting firms right after graduating UVM and then joining American Financial Resources as a Vice president and CPA manager in WRJ and ST Albans from 1996 until 2000. At that point, Craig was commuting all over the state. He decided to settle into the local area with some private accounting work and make family life a priority. Craig then served as Controller for the famous Harrington's of Vermont based in Richmond until 2003. Craig also served a short term as CEO and Controller for ABX Title, PLC in Essex, VT until 2004 when he decided to open his own practice.
Craig has prepared literally thousands of individual and business tax returns and helped grow many businesses in the process. His client base in St Albans was, at one point, over 1,300 people and businesses - (that left little time for much else in life prompting him to accept the position at Harrington's as a respite and to revisit his career strategy). Craig has now found the work-life balance he desires and will continue to help people make solid long term financial decisions. When not at work, Craig can be found on the slopes of Sugarbush teaching his children to ski during the winter, or hiking peaks with his son Ethan and miniature schnauzer Kipper in the summer months.
Craig now works primarily from the Essex Junction office and is passionate about helping people make their businesses more profitable and improve individual financial situations through communication and quality services. His motto is, " I treat every client like they're my only client". When you want to reach the next level, you need to bring in a player with a business acumen and knowledge that is relevant - I provide that for my clients. I will visit my clients frequently to check in on their situations and take initiative if I see anything that needs addressing. I've been involved with businesses from solo firms to multi million dollar companies. Small business is my specialty - it's full of forked roads and can be confusing... I let people know what lies down each road, and let them make the choice that's best for them. And that's not just for business owners... we can help individuals make the same choices. Our staff in the Essex office is top notch, with multiple people who have worked in the field for 25-30 years and they give much to the talent of our firm. It is hard to find an office with such a low turnover and have such talented people. Everyone of my employees is of the utmost quality and will help our clients with their experience and talents.
