December 10, 2018
Bethesda, MD: Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman CPAs (GRF) announced today that the firm has added two new principals to supplement rapidly growing practice areas. Melissa Musser, CPA, CITP, CISA has joined the firm as a Principal in the firm’s Risk & Advisory Services practice, and Paul H. Calabrese has been named a Principal in GRF’s Outsourced Accounting and Advisory Services Group. Both Musser and Calabrese are based in GRF’s Bethesda, MD office in Metropolitan Washington, DC.
“GRF continues to diversify our service offering because we recognize an escalating need for risk advisory and outsourced accounting services in the market,” said Jackie Cardello, CPA, Managing Partner. “Both Melissa and Paul bring valuable consulting experience that will be a huge asset for our nonprofit, government contracting and business clients.”
Melissa Musser comes to GRF from Aronson LLC where she served as a Director in the firm’s Risk Advisory practice. As the newest addition to GRF’s Advisory practice, Musser will be responsible for delivering comprehensive risk-based assessments to help organizations respond to strategic, financial, compliance, operational and IT risks. Her expertise includes establishing, maintaining and optimizing internal controls, compliance, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), and cybersecurity programs. Prior to joining GRF, Musser spent 10 years in public accounting focusing largely on nonprofit organizations. Her background also includes 4 years in risk management roles for global SEC companies where she led major transformation initiatives such as transitions to shared service centers, cybersecurity, SOX optimization, and the development of an ERM council. Additionally, Musser spent 2 years at the University Of Akron where she was responsible for ERP system upgrades and system integrations while also working as an adjunct faculty member teaching microcomputer business applications.
Musser earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Akron with majors in both Professional Accounting and Accounting Information Systems as well as a certificate in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Her certifications include the designation of Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) where she also serves as a member of the Information Management and Technology Assurance Section. Musser also received IT certification through her membership in ISACA (previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association), achieving the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation. She is a frequent speaker on privacy and cybersecurity topics at conferences hosted by the Greater Washington Society of CPAs (GWSCPAs), the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Musser is a recipient of the 2018 AICPA Information Management and Technology Assurance (IMTA) Standing Ovation Recognition Award honoring young CPAs in information management and technology assurance and exhibit exemplary professional achievement. She is also an officer of the Institute of Internal Auditors, DC chapter where she serves as the Associate Vice President of Programming. Musser lives in Rockville, MD with her husband and two children.
Paul Calabrese brings a successful track record of working with both nonprofits and businesses in the public accounting industry since 1997. Most recently serving as a Senior Manager at Rubino & Company, his remarkable career also includes positions with the Air Force Audit Agency, DCAA, government contractors, and DOD audit agencies in addition to 20+ years in public accounting. Calabrese’s extensive experience with the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and CAS disclosure statements, Federal Acquisition Regulation Cost Principals (FAR), Department of Defense FAR Supplement, and Uniform Guidance for federal grants and cooperative agreements positions him as a sought-after resource. He consults clients in all facets of federal government contract and federal grant cost accounting, GSA multiple award contracts and environmental recovery, and provides litigation support.
Calabrese earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from George Mason University. He is a member of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and the GWSCPAs where he is a Fellow and the past chair of the Not For Profit Committee. He is a prolific speaker on Uniform Guidance and other government contracting topics, making frequent presentations at seminars and conferences for IMA, MACPA, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, GWSCPAs and firm-sponsored events. Calabrese lives in Falls Church, VA with his wife and he has a grown son.
