The Accounting Experts

MANAGING PARTNER

Paul Jones CPA

Paul passed the CPA Exam in 1989 and has been a partner at two regional CPA firms in the Chicagoland area. Paul graduated from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois with an accounting degree. He is currently the managing partner of Jones, Savarese, Harrington & Company.

With a strong business and tax background, he specializes in consulting to develop financial strategies to serve as a CFO for hire to Small Business Clients.  Paul prides himself on being his client’s best business financial advisor.  Paul specializes in working with contractors, he has had extensive experience working with contractors from all different trades. Paul helps his clients understand the importance of job costing and setting key economic indicators which help them drive greater profits and successful companies.

He has also taught undergraduate classes at Aurora University, as an adjunct professor, for classes including federal taxation of individuals and business entities.  He and his wife, Jean have three adult children. Paul and Jean have lived and worked in St Charles for over 30 years.

Paul believes in supporting the community and has served as the president of St Charles Breakfast Rotary, St Charles East High School Boosters, and The St Charles Baseball Association. For the past 25 years, he has found the most rewarding way to give back to the community by being a volunteer baseball coach.  It is with great honor, pride, and privilege that he has taught this beloved game to young people.

PARTNER

Kathy Savarese CPA

Kathy Savarese joined the firm in 2014.  She provides financial reporting services, which include compilations and reviews, for clients in industries ranging from healthcare to restaurants to manufacturing. She also provides a wide range of tax services and tax planning for individuals, businesses, trusts, and estates.  She enjoys working closely with clients to grow their business and strives to build lasting relationships.

Kathy’s previous work in corporate finance focused on budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and developing financial models.  This strong financial background allows her to be an advisory partner to start-up businesses who need advice on entity structure planning, cash flow analysis, or income strategies.  She also provides on-going support to established businesses looking for new growth opportunities.

Kathy is originally from Chicago where she attended Roosevelt University and received her B.S. in Business Administration.  She earned her CPA in 2001 and is a member of the AICPA and Illinois CPA Society.  She currently resides in Sugar Grove with her son and has a daughter attending the University of Alabama.

PARTNER

Maria Harrington CPA

Maria is a USC graduate with both a BS in Accounting and a MACC in Accounting Information Systems and is currently pursuing an MS in Tax. Her past work experience includes auditing for a Big 8 Firm, full-service accounting, and tax work with a small CPA firm, and paralegal and tax preparation work as part of a local law firm.

Since joining the firm in late 2015, Maria has been focused on tax research, planning, and preparation for individuals, small businesses, multi-state entities, and tax-exempt organizations.  Her extensive and diverse tax background equips her with the skills needed to help clients negotiate IRS Offers in Compromise and resolve both Federal and State tax issues.

Maria and her husband reside in St. Charles where together they enjoy gardening, swimming, and concocting new recipes in their kitchen. Her past volunteer work in the community includes serving as treasurer for several non-profit entities and coaching and officiating youth sports.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Kristen Smith

Kristen started as an intern with the firm during the 2011 tax season.  She graduated from Aurora University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, and Business & Commerce and joined the firm as a full-time Staff Accountant in September of that year.  For the last 8 years, she has been working with clients across several industries offering accounting assistance to business owners.  Her skill set also includes helping individual taxpayers with income tax preparation.  Kristen has been working with a range of small to medium-sized businesses in her day-to-day work.  She is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and her daily routine includes providing bookkeeping services, payroll tax compliance, sales tax preparation, budgeting, job costing, general ledger maintenance, financial statement compilations, tax planning, and QuickBooks training.  Kristen enjoys her work being able to help streamline accounting processes to assist business owner’s reach their goals.

Kristen and her husband welcomed their son in September 2019 and are enjoying their new adventure in parenting.

Professionally, Kristen is working towards passing the CPA exam.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Rodger Hoke CPA

Rodger received his CPA license with Illinois in March 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Aurora University as well as a second Bachelor of Arts from Valparaiso University.

Rodger joined the firm in October 2014, offering accounting assistance with QuickBooks, payroll, and sales tax to small business owners. He helps business owners with tax planning as well as budgeting and job costing to help look for ways to improve their bottom line. He also prepares compilations and reviews to help businesses meet bonding requirements and acquire or maintain bank financing.  Rodger assists individual taxpayers with tax planning and tax preparation services.

Rodger and his wife live in Oswego with their son and daughter, who really keep them on their toes going to scouting events and playing at the pool during the summer.

Accounting Manager

Cindy Lepoudre CPA

Cindy is a University of Illinois graduate with Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting and in finance. Since joining the firm in late 2022 she has had the opportunity to work on complex corporate tax returns involving business sales and reorganizations and enjoys the challenge that these returns bring. She enjoys working with her individual and small business clients, listening to their needs and concerns, and finding the best accounting and tax solutions.

Her experience includes working in small and medium sized public accounting firms, as well as bookkeeping and controllership roles. The diversity of her tax and accounting background allows her to be a good resource for her clients. She is a licensed CPA in Illinois and is member of the Illinois CPA Society.

Cindy lives in Elgin, is married, and is the proud mom of a grown daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dogs and gardening.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Paula Joers

Paula joined the firm in October 2002.  Her strong background in accounting and experience in corporate management made her a perfect fit for her Senior Accountant position.  Her areas of focus include preparing federal and state income tax returns for individual and business clients.  She also assists with tax planning services, payroll taxes, multi-state sales tax, and bookkeeping services.  She is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor for desktop and online.

Paula has lived in the St. Charles area for over 20 years, and she has one grown daughter who now lives in Wisconsin.  Paula makes frequent trips to see her daughter, and she enjoys attending concerts and traveling in her spare time.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Dawn Andrey CPA

Dawn joined Jones, Savarese, Harrington in October of 2019.  She brings to the team over thirty years of experience in the public accounting industry.  She specializes in individual and small business tax and accounting. This includes individual, corporate, partnership, trust, estate, payroll, and sales tax returns, as well as compiled financial statements. When a client has started a new business, she is a great resource for both the initial QuickBooks file setup and ongoing support.  She is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University where she earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in Accounting.  She is a licensed CPA and a member of the Illinois CPA Society.

She resides in the Village of Campton Hills with her husband and two daughters.  They are avid National Park visitors and enjoy a good concert or soccer game.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Katherine Kannaby

Over the course of Katherine’s career, she has gained experience in accounting functions such as preparing financial statements, bookkeeping, and tax preparation for individuals, pass-thru entities, corporations and trusts. Katherine is also experienced reconciling bank statements, credit card statements and investment accounts.

Self-motivated and detail-oriented Katherine ensures that all components of the tax process are efficiently documented and performed. Katherine also proactively communicates with clients to maximize client satisfaction.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Amy Tomagan

Amy joined our firm in October 2019 as a Staff Accountant. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from DeVry Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Jones, Savarese, Harrington & Company, LLC, Amy worked several medium-sized public accounting firms in the Chicagoland area. She works with clients to help them understand their business through QuickBooks and other accounting software. She performs multiple financial procedures such as monthly, quarterly and year-end closings, payroll, bank and credit card reconciliations. Additionally, she prepares accurate quarterly payroll and sales tax returns as well as both business and individual returns. Amy lives in St. Charles with her husband and 3 children who are active in soccer. She runs a 5k daily when the weather is above 39 °F.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Michele Rybakowski

Michele has two Applied Science Associate degrees, Early Childhood (2011) and Accounting (2018), from Elgin Community College. She also holds a QuickBooks Online certification. She has 23 years of experience, mainly in manufacturing and distribution companies. Her experience covers varying areas of accounting, including payables, receivables, payroll, reconciliations, and journal entries.

Michele serves on the board as Treasurer for an animal rescue organization, handling all behind-the-scenes accounting and financials, volunteering when needed, and attending functions. She loves all furry animals and has six cats.

She has lived in the Kane County area her entire life, from Lake in the Hills to St. Charles. Michele enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and outdoor recreational activities, especially in the summer at her family’s lake house in Wisconsin.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Paris Mickelson

Paris started working for the firm in 2021 as a staff accountant. She started her accounting journey in AR in 2012 and had focused on private industry prior to joining the firm. Paris received an associate degree in Accounting from Red Rocks Community College in 2016. She provides a variety of accounting services, including reconciliations, payroll and sales tax filings, compiled financial statements, and tax returns for individual and business clients.

Paris grew up in Wisconsin, spent 5 years in Denver, CO, then settled into rural Illinois in 2021. In her free time, she enjoys making cards, gardening, and outdoor adventures with her fiancé and yorkie.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

David Barnas

David is currently a student at Aurora University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, graduating in May 2025 with 154 credits. Upon graduation, he is pursuing his CPA License.

David joined the firm in March 2023 as an accounting intern to accelerate his learning in the classroom alongside the workplace. He has quickly grasped many new skill sets including assembling tax returns, bank and credit card reconciliation, business consulting, preparation, and analyzing financial statements in QuickBooks. He has developed to become attentive, efficient, and proactive in his assignments.

David embraces his Polish heritage through traditions, actively speaking Polish at home and helping at his Polish church. David enjoys working out, golfing, and spending time with his girlfriend in his spare time.

OFFICE MANAGER

Abbey Jones

Abbey began working for the firm part-time in 2009 and became the firm’s Office Manager in late 2013. Abbey supports the firm’s philosophy that client service is the number one priority. Her position gives her the opportunity to interact with clients daily and maintain long working relationships. As well as overseeing all administrative tasks in the office, Abbey is also in charge of all marketing and technology functions at Jones, Savarese, Harrington. These roles allow her to utilize her organizational skills and attention to detail to main the highest level of efficiency in running the day-to-day operations of the firm. Her goal is to ensure a smooth and accurate flow of information between our client and office personnel

Abbey grew up in St. Charles and still lives in the area. In her spare time, she enjoys taking her dog, Ollie, to the dog park, concerts, and traveling whenever time will allow.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Julie Potter

Julie joined the team in December 2016 as an Office Administrator.  Her primary focus is on our clients, ensuring their needs are effectively met through efficient and knowledgeable administration of our office.  Her efficiency in organization, technology skills, and marketing has been an added benefit to the team at Jones, Sager, and Co.  She values customer service and strives to meet each client’s needs.  She is a very detailed and organized person who takes pride in her work.  Her previous experience at an accounting firm in Texas has been an attribute. She received her Associate’s Degree from Elgin Community College.   She has lived in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Texas, and Illinois, her home state. When not serving our clients at the office, Julie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and crafting. She is married and has 3 children.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Kristine Rausch

Kristine started with the company in fall of 2020 as an administrative assistant. She greets clients in the front desk area as well as helps with any client needs and scheduling. She strives to give the best customer service for the clients by having great communication skills and interaction. Kristine’s work experience has given her the tools to be able to problem solve, multi-task, and goal oriented. She lives in Sycamore with her husband. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and traveling.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Amanda Skinner

Amanda is a person who prides herself on her dedication to detailed organization.  She grew up in a rural town in Indiana, supporting herself by working with one of her passions, landscaping. She has also cultivated her expression of organization while supporting her grandmother’s real estate enterprise as her personal assistant.  She has been focused on excellent client service through the administrative positions she maintained. These skills make her a valuable asset to the JSH team. She and her husband live in West Chicago with their son. As the daughter of two professional chefs, Amanda and her husband are always willing to try new restaurants in the area.

Tax Preparer

Elnara Khurshidova

Graduated from Aurora University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. In 2018, Elnara started as an intern at Liberty Tax Services, performing personal income taxes. Her position gave her the opportunity to interact and work with different types of people. Also, provided customer service, communicating with clients to address their concerns and needs. In January of 2022, Elnara joined Jones, Savarese, Harrington & Company LLC as a seasonal tax preparer. Since joining the firm, Elnara had the opportunity to prepare business returns and work with QB. Currently, she has been working on monthly, quarterly, and yearly bank and credit card reconciliations. Her goal is to pursue a master’s degree and get her CPA license within the next few years.

Since moving to the states in 2006, Elnara has been living in the Kane County area for 17 years. From West Aurora to Sugar Grove. In her free time, she likes to bake and spend time with her kids and family. Fun fact about Elnara is that she can speak 3 languages.