Special Education

The Special Education environment is a dynamic and challenging one to operate in. In order for a school to continually increase its program and revenues, extensive and detailed financial planning and analysis is required. At Cerini and Associates we understand this and have the experience, expertise, and personnel to provide the quality service and support that our clients need. Our knowledge of key issues that affect special education schools goes far beyond tax laws and accounting procedures. We are specialists in reimbursement methodologies and cost report preparation. We provide insight and offer a different perspective on some of the issues that a special education school faces.

What Sets Cerini & Associates Apart:

Leadership in serving the special education sector — evident in our publications, seminars, surveys, and memberships. We KNOW the special education sector, and will be able to identify any potential improvements for your organization based on new regulations and best practices that we see every day.

Experienced and knowledgeable staff — supported by C&A’s dedication to developing niche practices to better service our clients in key industries, such as special education. Our staff assigned to work on your account do one thing…work with educational organizations. This ensures they understand your business and your operations.

Commitment to quality service and value — C&A’s professionals receive firm mandated training in excess of CPA education requirements. In addition, members of our management team have experience in delivering training to other professionals on a variety of topics. We pride ourselves on our experience and our commitment to bring this experience to our clients supported by our many long-standing relationships.

Working partner team — a hands-on engagement partner that reviews ALL working papers involved with your organizations, and can provide insight into unique situations impacting the organization.

Dedication to making a difference — plain and simple, we get it. You are not looking for a historian in the accountant you select, you want a firm that is going to be proactive with ideas; responsive to your needs; and be a year round resource to you and your company. As you are committed to your mission and the children you serve, we are equally committed to our clients and their success. Many firms only focus on where a client has been. We don’t stop there, we also focus on where they’re going and we assist them in every step of the way. We help our clients plan for and manage growth so that they can meet their financial goals and objectives. Contact us today for more information about our services and how we can be of assistance to your organization.

MEET THE TEAM

ken cerini

Kenneth Cerini, CPA, CFP, FABFA
Managing Partner

Carissa Scanlon

Albert Borghese, CPA
Director

RECENT NEWS

TESTIMONIALS

I have worked with Ken Cerini and his team for over 15 years. I have found answers to my many questions about the industry and in addition to the accounting work Ken has been a key advisor to our company. He and his team take great pride in their work. They are always available and they have taken a personal interest in us and our success. We have been very fortunate to have worked with them for many years and I recommend them highly.
New York Center for Child Development ( NYCCD) has been privileged to work with Cerini and Associates since 2016.  They not only provide full accounting services, but they bring exceptional knowledge about the issues and challenges facing our sector and share a true commitment to our values and mission.  They have built solid relationships with our management team and provide technical assistance that is well beyond any fiscal or accounting input. It is the personal relationship and accessibility that is one of many factors that put them above the rest. They are a go to resource where the best interests of the children and families we serve is always foremost in their guidance. Their value driven decision making and rare ability to combine the best interests of those we serve with fiscal accountability sets them apart. Their strong knowledge and history of positive working relationships with those in decision making positions has helped facilitate sound and beneficial decisions.
Evelyn J. Blanck, Executive Director
It is an absolute pleasure to work with Cerini & Associates as our Audit and Tax services provider. Over the past several years they have proven themselves to be diligent, responsive, dependable, and highly professional in taking care of our accounting needs. We have come to rely on Ken Cerini not only for his accounting, non-profit, and special education knowledge and expertise, but for his guidance on organizational issues and growth opportunities. Cerini & Associates is a quality firm with personalized service that truly cares about the organizations they serve.
Debora Thivierge, CEO & Carolyn Varajao, CFO
Cerini & Associates has provided consulting services to our early education program for several years. They have an expertise in the industry that cannot be matched. We are consistently pleased with the quality of service and the knowledge of all members of the team. They are always responsive to our needs and have helped us to make important financial and programmatic decisions related to the continued and future success of our program.
We moved to Cerini & Associates from a much larger firm several years ago. While I was not thrilled with the experience I had with our prior accountants, I was a little nervous moving to a much smaller firm. What I found instead in Cerini & Associates, was a firm that had a deep understanding of our business and industry; a firm that was engaged in helping us to run more effectively and compliantly; a firm that was extremely responsive and available; and a firm that provided us regular contact with the engagement partner. With the larger firms I would see the senior partners only during the initial engagement meeting and not when I needed support. My experience with Cerini & Associates has taught me the right accounting firm offers access to senior staff and supports your needs and the needs of your business at all times. They become a part of your business that is as valuable as any staff member. Cerini & Associates continues to prove their value on a regular basis.
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David Locker, Executive Director
First, I would do anything for Ken. He is invaluable to any agency. We first met at the Long Island Coalition. Of all the firms on Long Island Ken was the only partner/founder who had the good sense to take part in meetings of Long Island special education classroom based program Directors. Our issues are enormous and the monthly meetings often are challenging. While we represent different agencies who (at times) compete for the same children the Long Island Coalition is collegial and represents one voice while contributing to our state wide coalition. For the past six years Ken has attended and offered free advice on a number of financial issues. I am often amazed at the lack of appreciation that others show at times. Just Kids Diagnostic and Treatment Center decided early on to utilize the services of Cerini and Associates for our medical clinic. Ken, Matt and Shari provided our independent certification of our financial’s and contributed to the maturity of our internal controls on a limited basis. This past year one of our Chief Business officers retired. Ken and Cerini and Associates endeavored to substantiality review all of our financial records and protocols. His monthly management reports became the framework for our goals towards improvement in every aspect our of business. Coincidentally a state law required a Comptroller’s audit by 2018. Many of the requirements were protocols that Ken had started to initiate on our behalf. Our program grew from 6 employees to well over 500. While the “mom and pop” business is revered by so many its lack of sophistication is not tolerated in our preschool special education world. My Administrative Assistant probably gave the most meaningful description of Ken. She said “while others scream and yell when deadlines approach Ken has a quiet and comforting demeanor that facilitates a much more reasonable environment which lends itself to a perfect product”.
Steven Held, Executive Director
Ken’s knowledge, dedication, experience and intelligence is reflected in his quality of work. His staff is well supervised, organized and extremely pleasant. C&A helped us move forward to secure a better future for our business.