Representing Clients Before the IRS and State Residency Issues (E1612819)

Melanie started her own tax practice, Abacus Financial Services, LLC in 2006, providing tax planning and impeccable customer service to individuals and businesses.  From 2011 to 2017 she also worked as a Tax Controversy Specialist at E. Martin Davidoff, Attorney at Law.  There, she negotiated with the IRS and various state and local tax agencies in collection matters and audits; and secured the release of levies, liens, and judgments against Taxpayers.  Melanie also develops and presents continuing education seminars for other CPAs on best practices in representing clients.

Melanie worked as a Financial Adviser with MetLife, where she provided clients with a financial needs analysis and recommend and implemented appropriate solutions to meet their goals.  By guiding financial decisions based on each client’s needs, she was able to recommend and execute step-by-step strategic and tactical plans to meet client objectives.  In addition to developing informative presentations to potential clients and strengthening client relationships, she also provided financial education seminars in the community.

Melanie began her CPA career as an Auditor for Deloitte & Touche.  Shen then worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for Johnson & Johnson, where she coordinated and led worldwide consolidations of financial statements from 16 affiliates.  

Melanie was a recipient of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (“NJCPA”) 2016 Women of Note Award.  As an active member of this group, she is currently serving on the Board of Trustees.  She has also served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director of the Middlesex / Somerset Chapter of NJCPA.  

She is very involved in community service projects, especially those focusing on education and development.  She has volunteered her time at the News 12 New Jersey Tax Help Hotline, where she answered viewers’ call-in tax questions.  At the Asbury Park Press Taxpayer Assistance Clinic, Melanie met in-person with taxpayers to provide guidance, and she also provided free tax preparation for low-income individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  She has also presented to high school students on career opportunities for CPAs.

As the Donations Coordinator for Every Day Angels Foundation, a national nonprofit that promotes volunteerism at the grassroots level, Melanie assisted coat and blanket drive organizers across the country identify organizations that will distribute the items directly to those in need in their local communities.  

Melanie graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University with a double major in Accounting and Criminal Justice.  In her spare time, Melanie enjoys traveling, concerts, reading, and spending time outdoors with such activities as hiking and camping. 

James Toto, CPA, is a partner at WeiserMazars LLP, and has been more providing accounting, auditing, and tax preparation and planning services to high-net-worth individuals and families for more than 19 years. His experience includes time at a Big 4 firm, as well as regional and boutique firms. This diversified background is an advantage to his clients, who come from a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from entrepreneurs to corporate executives to family-owned middle-market companies to larger, more complex, multinational organizations. Mr. Toto has in-depth knowledge of a variety of industries, including real estate, insurance and financial services. He specializes in the areas of estate planning, retirement planning and after-tax cash flow analysis. Mr. Toto has also provided clients with advice and strategies related to stock option analysis. As a partner, his broad industry and service knowledge enable him to look beyond the numbers to provide clients guidance on how best to maximize opportunities and uncover tax-saving strategies to minimize costs.