• (860) 381-5650
Austin & Macione CPAs LLC is a reliable, accurate and dependable accounting office which specializes in tax planning and preparation for small to medium sized businesses and works progressively towards client satisfaction. We have been successful at developing professional, friendly, long-term relationships with our clients.
Considering the complexity of the tax code, we attempt to communicate with our clients in a manner that they will understand. This and our genuine concern for our clients and their businesses has been the reason for our success.

James Austin, CPA

Partner

James attended Old Dominion University and Southern Connecticut State University. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a concentration in accounting. After working for a fortune 500 Company, Jim worked for two local accounting firms and obtained his CPA license, expertise and practical experience in the field of public accounting. In 1991, Jim purchased the accounting practice of George Borrows, PA and founded James H Austin CPA which would later become Austin & Macione CPAs LLC. Jim has served on the board of several local charities and nonprofit organizations over the years and maintains active membership in the following professional organizations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) National Association of Accountants (NAA) Jim lives in Ledyard, Connecticut with his wife. After tax season, Jim enjoys running at Bluff Point, playing the guitar, golfing, vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey and spending time with his three daughters and grandsons.

Susan Macione, CPA, MSA

Partner

Susan received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Providence College. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut in 2008 and obtained her CPA license in 2009. Susan began her career at Deloitte & Touche, LLP in Hartford, CT. She joined the firm in 2013 and was named Partner in 2016. Susan has several years of experience with tax preparation and financial statement audits, reviews and compilations. She maintains active membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and is a is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Susan lives in Waterford, Connecticut with her husband and two sons. She enjoys traveling with her family to Marco Island, riding her Peloton and spending time at the beach.

Caitlyn Vessels, EA

Tax & Accounting Services Manager

Cait earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University. Cait joined the firm in 2007 and in 2013 she earned her designation as an Enrolled Agent which enables her to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. Cait manages the firms payroll and sales tax work and has several years of experience with tax preparation, financial statement preparation, and client bookkeeping. She maintains an active membership in the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and the Connecticut Society of Enrolled Agents (CTSEA). Cait lives with her husband and two daughters in Ledyard, Connecticut. She enjoys running, camping, and spending time with her family and friends.

Angela Lathrop

Bookkeeping Services Manager

Angela earned her Associate of Science in Accounting from Three Rivers Community College. Angela is a Connecticut Notary Public and has been a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 2011. This certification enables her to provide superior support to clients using Intuit QuickBooks Software. Angela has taken the lead in managing the firm’s bookkeeping services. Angela is the point of contact for setting up a new QuickBooks file and she will be the friendly voice at the other end of the phone when you need someone to solve your problem quickly! She has several years of experience in the administration of public accounting firms, as well as in tax preparation and payroll and sales tax reporting. Angela lives in Norwich, Connecticut with her two children. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, trying out new restaurants, listening to live music, and crocheting. She loves going to the beach as often as possible and vacationing in Myrtle Beach with her family.

Jennifer Trant, MBA

Tax Manager

Jennifer Trant is originally from Baltimore, MD where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business with a concentration in Accounting and Finance from the Notre Dame of Maryland University. Jennifer earned her MBA and Certificate of Accounting from the University of Phoenix. Jennifer has several years of experience with tax preparation, client bookkeeping, payroll and sales tax reporting and is a leader in our firm not only taking on more complex tax engagements but she serves as a mentor for new staff. As a former navy spouse, she has moved all over the world but has settled down in Ledyard to raise her three kids. When she isn’t spending time with her children, you may find her at the gym or traveling to see friends and gaining new experiences.

Jennifer Gebhard

Senior Staff Accountant

Jenny Gebhard graduated from the University of Connecticut with her Bachelor of Science in Applied Resource Economics and a Minor in Real Estate. Having completed accounting coursework during her undergraduate years she quickly learned she enjoyed accounting and that she excelled at it! Jenny joined the firm in 2020 and assists clients with payroll, sales tax and bookkeeping and also has experience preparing individual income tax returns. Jenny lives in Ledyard with her family and in her free time she enjoys playing golf and skiing the Northeast with her friends and her fiancé!

Ayesha Asim

Staff Accountant

Ayesha is originally from Pakistan where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Punjab. Ayesha earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Queens College in 2008. She completed her Master of Science in Accounting at Eastern Connecticut State University and joined the firm as a Staff Accountant in 2022. Ayesha prepares both individual and business income tax returns and assists clients with payroll, sales tax and bookkeeping services. Outside of the office, Ayesha enjoys photography and travelling with her family.

Blerina Manka Hysoli

Staff Accountant

Blerina joined the firm in 2021 as an Accounting Intern and subsequently joined the firm full time as a staff accountant. Blerina is originally from Albania where she earned her Bachelors and her Masters Degree in Accounting and Finance. After working for five years in the field she moved in Connecticut and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mitchell College. Blerina is passionate about the field of accountancy and enjoys helping clients with individual tax preparation, sales tax, payroll services and bookkeeping. Blerina lives in Waterford with her husband and two daughters and when she is not at work she enjoys traveling, hiking and photography.

Ana Ganacoplos

Staff Accountant

Ana obtained her Associates Degree from Three Rivers Community College and joined the firm as a Staff Accountant in 2022. Ana is fluent in English and Spanish. She has prior experience in the tax industry preparing individual income tax returns. Ana assists clients with sales tax and payroll tax preparation as well as reconciling their bank accounts.  Ana lives in Groton with her husband and daughter and helps in the family business in her free time.  When she is not working, she loves traveling home to the Dominican Republic to see her extended family.

Julie Craig

Billing & Client Services manager

Julie earned her Associate of Science in Accounting from Three Rivers Community College. She has been a Connecticut Notary Public since 2007. Julie joined the firm in 2019 after raising and homeschooling her four children while traveling all over the country as a military spouse. Julie manages the firms’ e-filing and billing processes as well as many other administrative functions. Julie lives in Gales Ferry with her husband, enjoys hiking, and is a National Park enthusiast.

Elizabeth Bell

Administrative Assistant

Elizabeth is often the first person you see when visiting our office. Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in History from Central Connecticut State University and she joined the firm as an Administrative Assistant in 2021. Elizabeth will schedule an appointment for you, provide information about our products and services and she assists with all administrative functions of the firm. Elizabeth lives in Ledyard with her family. In her free time, she enjoys playing her horn and doing arts and crafts at home.

Jennifer Waterworth

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer is often the friendly voice on the other end of the phone when you call the office. Jennifer has years of experience providing excellent administrative support, all with a smile. If she can’t help you, she will be sure to get you to someone who can. Jennifer attended Northern Essex Community College and prior to joining the firm she was an administrative assistant in the tax preparation industry. She assists with all administrative functions of the firm. Jennifer lives in Quaker Hill and in her free time she enjoys skiing, hiking and boating with her family.

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  • (860) 381-5650

393 Gold Star Highway Groton, CT 06340