About Us
Our People | Firm Brochures | Our Clients | News
As a D.C. accounting firm catering to the financial needs of the metro D.C. business community, investors, entrepreneurs and association executives all find McQuadeBrennan's accounting and advisory services to be exceptionally comprehensive. Our audit services, tax planning and compliance, and investment advisory services can make a difference for you and your organization. We have special expertise in private equity, mortgage banking, real estate, non-profits and wealth management industries.
Our clients expressed a need for us to provide investment services. We founded Columbia Financial Advisors, LLP as a complement to McQuadeBrennan services, so clients can get comprehensive portfolio management and straightforward advice on how to reach their investment goals. Many of the same staff work at both McQuadeBrennan and Columbia Financial, allowing clients to have truly integrated accounting and investing services. We are uniquely built to provide customized solutions that exceed your expectations.
Our People
Brian McQuade CPA, Managing Partner
Brian is a Certified Public Accountant, as well as a registered investment advisor, contributing significantly to McQuadeBrennan’s wealth management practice area. He is personally involved and responsible for all services provided to his clients including audits, reviews, tax, and financial planning and management advisory services.
Brian is an avid golfer and lives in Chevy Chase, MD.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Activities
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, The Greater Washington and Maryland Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Board Member and Chairman of Finance Committee, Children's Charities Foundation of Washington, DC
- Member of the Board of Directors and Vice President, The University Club of Washington, DC
- Member Board of Advisors, Pamplin School of Business, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Former Board Member, Monsignor Smyth FoundationFormer Board Member, Academy of the Holy Cross
Kathleen Norris CPA, Director Of Investment Services
Kathleen is a registered investment advisor with over 20 years of experience. She is an advisor at Columbia Financial Advisors, LLP, McQuadeBrennan’s investment advisory arm. Prior to joining Columbia Financial Advisors, Kathleen worked with Merrill Lynch and UBS Paine Webber. She managed about $50 million of investments at Merrill Lynch and UBS, which included extensive work with individual clients, small businesses, and trade associations. Her investment philosophy is based on a keen understanding of a client’s objectives, and their short and long term goals. Each client’s risk tolerance is assessed and is key to establishing a portfolio to help them achieve their goals.
Kathleen is a fitness fanatic, and loves to golf and bike. She also enjoys hanging out with her children Mary, Jack and Casey, and her husband, Jeff.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Penn State University
Adnan Bokhari CPA, Senior Director
Adnan is an experienced auditor, with special expertise in the not-for-profit industry, and brings to each engagement both private and public accounting experience. He provides seasoned leadership to McQuadeBrennan’s audit team and supervises the firm’s outsourced accounting engagements.
Adnan enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Strayer University
- Associates in Arts, Economics, Strayer University
Activities
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, Legislative Review Task Force, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, The University Club of Washington, DC
Frank Hodas CPA, Director
Frank's primary responsibilities with McQuadeBrennan are in the firm’s private equity service group, outsourced CFO services, and assurance. He understands the importance of providing clients and investors alike with accurate and timely financial information that they can rely upon. Frank has extensive experience in private equity and venture capital having served clients in this industry for nearly five years.
Frank enjoys traveling, playing softball, golf, and is very devoted to Penn State football having grown up in western Pennsylvania.
Education
- Bachelor of Accountancy, The George Washington University
Activities
- Member, Finance Committee, Delta Sigma Pi
- Former Regional Vice President, Delta Sigma Pi
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Ghaya Hassairi CPA, Manager
Ghaya has experience preparing tax returns, and managing audits as well as our outsourced accounting engagements. She helps clients plan for the future by preparing financial models and projections for individuals and start-up companies. She also prepares and develops equity research for our investment clients. She is fluent in English, French, Italian, and Arabic.
Ghaya enjoys living in the heart of DC and the color pink.
Education
- Master of Science in Accountancy, The George Washington University
Activities
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, American Society of Women Accountants
David Swartz CPA, Manager
David has experience in dealing with a number of accounting issues over a broad range of industries. He has worked with mortgage companies, nonprofit organizations, and real state developers. David is a key member of the McQuadeBrennan audit team.
David enjoys playing golf in his spare time and is a Hokie for life.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Activities
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
Farah Aleem, Senior Associate
Farah is a member of McQuadeBrennan’s outsourced accounting team. She has special expertise in the non-profit industry and brings to each engagement the necessary industry knowledge. Farah begins all engagements with a thorough understanding of an organization’s daily operations, allowing her to find solutions to financial issues as they occur.
Farah enjoys reading, running, and tennis.
Education
- Bachelor of Accounting, University of Maryland
Adam Freedenberg, Senior Associate
Adam’s responsibilities with McQuadeBrennan are in the firm’s outsourced CFO service team and tax services. His tax experience includes tax projections and preparations for individuals and corporations. Adam analyzes a company’s financial statements to strategically plan for their growth initiatives.
Adam enjoys playing tennis and golf in his spare time.
Education
- Bachelor of Accounting, University of Delaware
Ashley Kumar, Senior Associate
Ashley provides individuals and businesses with tax planning and compliance, financial compilations, and outsourced accounting solutions. She is able to find solutions to a variety of financial matters to make sure clients succeed financially. Ashley has a great deal of knowledge regarding the private equity industry and understands the importance of providing investors with accurate information.
Ashley enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, and Hokie football.
Education
- Bachelor of Accounting, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Cum Laude
Jenny Nguyen, Senior Associate
Jenny is a key member of McQuadeBrennan’s outsourced accounting team. She has years of experience in the non-profit industry, allowing her to understand the complex issues that surround the industry and develop appropriate solutions to such problems that may arise. Jenny’s accounting experience also includes the compilation of corporate, partnership, and individual tax returns.
Jenny enjoys traveling, reading, and listening to music.
Education
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Marymount University
- Accounting Certificate, Northern Virginia Community College, December 2007
Activities
- Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Lisa Weiss, Director of Marketing and Communications
Lisa is responsible for all marketing, advertising, public relations, and recruitment initiatives at McQuadeBrennan, LLP. She is also involved in coordinating seminars and special events at the firm. Lisa reaches out to clients to ensure their satisfaction of McQuadeBrennan's services.
Lisa enjoys live music, wine, and cheering on the Gamecocks.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management, University of South Carolina
Activities
- Member, Association for Accounting Marketing
Firm Brochures
McQuadeBrennan, L.L.P. Download our firm's brochure for more information on McQuadeBrennan. This is a 620kb PDF File. These files are accesible with Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at www.adobe.com
Our Clients
" We've outsourced our accounting to them, and they've done a terrific job for us. They're familiar with what we do. When we talk to them about what we're doing, they get it quickly. It's worked out well for us.''
-Bruce Baschuk, President, J Street Development
" Brian does my personal taxes and has been with me through four different companies over the last 20 years. He's very professional, and he gets the job done.''
- Gene Merrill, President, George Mason Mortgage
" Until we started with them, I have never been able to sleep well knowing that our financial work is being covered well. I give them four stars out of four."
- David Strauss, Executive Director, Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs
" Brian and his team have been doing all of our audits and giving us investment advice for over 20 years. Brian is very helpful in explaining the financial statements to our executive committee. He breaks it down well for the non-accounting minded. It's been a good partnership with him.''
- Mike Acott, President, National Asphalt Pavement Association
News
Staff Presents to Catholic University Students on Financial Literacy
February 2010
On February 22, 2010, David Swartz, Manager, and Melody Twigg, Tax Consultant, presented financial literacy and tax filing information to juniors and seniors at the Catholic University of America in Northeast, Washington, DC. The presentation was part of a life skills program developed by the resident advisors of Opus Hall. This monthly program educates students on a variety of life skills needed upon graduation and joining the “real” world. David and Melody discussed with the students the financial tools necessary for budgeting, dealing with student loan debt, and filing taxes. McQuadeBrennan is pleased to support the resident advisors of Opus Hall at Catholic University.
Students learned skills for budgeting, how to manage student loan debt, and how to file taxes.
Melody and David present tips for budgeting and filing taxes.
David explains who needs to file taxes and how to do so.
A Successful Light the Night Walk
October 2009
McQuadeBrennan, LLP formed a team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk on Saturday, October 17th in Washington, DC. The Walk began at Freedom Plaza and participants walked down Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol and back to Freedom Plaza. Our team raised $6,115.56, and still counting as donations are received until December, for the cause. We walked in honor of Yvonne Copley and Sam Robinson, a survivor and fighter. Both are relatives of Sally Copley, Manager at McQuadeBrennan. Brian McQuade, Managing Partner, expressed his gratitude by saying, “We, individually and as a firm, have contributed to an important cause, and tonight we finished a task we undertook months ago. I'm proud of everyone.”
Our team!
Sally honors her mother and brother-in-law.
Mujtaba, Frank, Brian, Christina, and David with our firm's signage and a view of the Capitol in the background.
A view from our walk route.
McQuadeBrennan Foursome Tees It Up at Golf Tournament
October 2009
The 10th Annual WINNERS Lacrosse Golf Tournament was held on October 4th at River Creek County Club in Leesburg, Virginia. Brian McQuade won closet to the hole and Brian Eck had a booming drive to win the long drive contest. Adam Freedenberg’s consistent driving brought the team in at 10 under par. Congratulations to WINNERS Lacrosse for another great tournament!
WINNERS Lacrosse is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides youth from underprivileged homes in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area the opportunity to enjoy and learn the game of lacrosse. WINNERS Lacrosse is designed to motivate, educate, and instill values that will facilitate young boy’s and girl’s future success. Founded by Bruce Baschuk, President & CEO of J Street Development Company, WINNERS Lacrosse has been a hugely successful program which we are proud to support.
McQuadeBrennan Participates in the LLS' Light the Night Walk
September 2009
McQuadeBrennan has formed a team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk. The date of the Walk is Saturday, October 17th in Washington, DC. The Walk begins at Freedom Plaza (13th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) and participants walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol and back to Freedom Plaza. The Walk is a wonderful way to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer.
Many us of have loved ones touched by cancer in one form or another, and we are happy to give back to the community for such a worthy cause. You can support the fight by joining our team or by making a donation.
Thanks for your support!
Please visit: http://pages.lightthenight.org/nca/WashDC09/McQuadeBrennan
Brian McQuade Teaches Graduate Class
September 2009
This fall Brian will be teaching a graduate course, Foundations of Real Estate Accounting, at Georgetown University. The Continuing Studies Masters in Real Estate program is designed for real estate professionals interested in gaining knowledge in the financial aspects of real estate development. This program is entering its second year on campus with great enthusiasm from current and potential students. The program seeks to provide expertise and experience from real estate practitioners with classes more discussion focused and fewer lectures. Brian is enjoying working with students and sharing his many professional experiences working with real estate developers and investors. “My students are very bright and motivated. The current real estate market is extremely challenging and the real estate professionals in the class are clearly concerned. We’ve discussed the S&L crisis of the late 80’s, and I think I was able to convince them markets do recover and the D.C. market recovers faster than most.”
McQuadeBrennan Movers and Shakers
July 2009
McQuadeBrennan, LLP is proud to welcome three new staff members this summer.
» Click to download press release
Ghaya Hassairi Receives CPA Certification
June 2009
Ghaya Hassairi, Manager at McQuadeBrennan, LLP, recently received her CPA certification in the state of Virginia from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
» Click to download press release
McQuadeBrennan Receives High Rating in Peer Review
January 2009
McQuadeBrennan, LLP, certified public accountants and consultants has successfully completed an independent peer review of their accounting and auditing practice. We are pleased to report we received an "Unmodified Report, Without a Letter of Comment'' - the highest rating possible, with a very small percentage of firms receiving a completely unmodified opinion with no letter of comment.
The peer review was conducted under professional standards by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Individual firms go through this process every three years. The independent CPA team that performed the review concluded that McQuadeBrennan complies with the stringent quality control standards set by the AICPA.
Reviewers evaluate the firm's compliance regarding several functional areas including technical standards of accounting and auditing practices, hiring policies, staff engagement and professional development. Brian McQuade, Managing Partner, said, "I am very proud of the firm's 4th consecutive unmodified report.Our firm is dedicated to providing quality services to our clients and our unmodified report proves our team's commitment to excellence.''
» Click to download press release
Ghaya Hassairi Publishes Article in Outsourcing Toolkit
September 2008
Ghaya Hassiri, Manager, wrote an article for ASAE's Association Now Outsourcing Toolkit explaining the benefits of organizations outsourcing their accounting department. Nonprofit organizations are increasingly under the inspection of government regulations. Compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements is of vital importance. Outsourcing your accounting department makes non-compliance a non-issue for organizations. Find the full article in Company Brochures.
McQuadeBrennan sponsors 2008 Small Business Awards
July 2008
This was the first annual Small Business Awards on behalf of the District of Columbia. The goal of the Business Premier Awards Program is to encourage and highlight notable entrepreneurship and demonstrate the District's commitment to the growth of DC-based small businesses. The Awards Program took place Wednesday, July 30th at The Willard Hotel. Our very own Frank Hodas presented the 100 Year Old Business of the Year award to The National Capital Bank of Washington. Other winners included: Q-Industries, Small Business of the Year and Latino Economic Development Corporation: Microloan Program, Small Business Initiative of the Year.
The event proved to be a success with opening remarks from Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Representative, and Hon. Kwame Brown, At-Large Councilman. The keynote speaker was Jair Lynch, President and CEO of JKL Development Partners. Visit Washington, DC Economic Partnership's website to learn more about Doing Business in DC.
Brian McQuade selected as SmartCPA by SmartCEO
July 2006
Brian McQuade, our managing partner, was selected as a SmartCPA, one of the top CPAs in the greater Washington area, by SmartCEO magazine. Brian's name was selected from nominations provided by SmartCEO readers and members of the Greater Washington Society of CPAs. The awards program was launched in 2005 to recognize CPAs at the top of their field who embody leadership, accomplishment, innovation and success. Winners are chosen by a panel of experts and featured in the July issue of the magazine.
McQuadeBrennan joins GMN Enterprise
January 2006
Our firm joined GMN Enterprise, a global alliance of leading independent accounting and consulting firms. This new relationship allows McQuadeBrennan to draw upon the combined resources, experience and professional knowledge of over 100 member firms in 35 countries.
