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 David E. Mond, CPA
Co-Managing Partner
In dealing with people's finances, you've got to make them feel comfortable. Our approach isn't stuffy or arrogant — or anything like a stereotypical 'bean-counter'. We make it easy for our clients to tell us just about anything.
For me it’s personal. Sure, my business is about creating a support structure that my clients can rely on to help them make smart financial decisions. But it goes well beyond just providing the right advice; it encompasses providing the right advice in a way that will make sense to a particular client. My clients have to feel that I am responding to them as unique individuals.
There are four foundations to every client relationship I have.
1. Trust
My clients know that I am there for them. They don’t think twice about telling me something, even if it’s confidential information; they know I am going to keep it to myself. This is critical since so many of my clients are closely-held businesses. There are often tricky situations among partners and family members, and I am usually in a good position to help resolve them. In fact, for some closely-held businesses I am almost like part of the family.
2. Responsiveness
Above all, this is a service business. People call and I make sure I get back to them right away. When you’re dealing with a financial matter, you’re likely to be anxious, so you want to be able to get answers in a hurry. My cell phone number is on the bottom of every email message and my clients know they can use it 24/7. I find that most people won’t use that privilege, but there are times when you have to do something extra. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get my clients what they need.
3. Knowledge
Another thing that’s important about this business is information. People rely on us to provide the right answers to a surprisingly broad range of financial questions. After more than 20 years as a CPA, I’ve built up a pretty good personal knowledge base, but there’s no way I’m going to know the answer to everything. As my clients’ “financial quarterback,” I am the segue to the right answer – whether it comes from one of my partners or from one of the third party strategic alliances we’ve built. You don’t have to know everything about everything, but you do have to know where to find out.
4. Personality
In some ways, maybe this should be first. The most important thing my clients get from me is me. I’m a pretty laid back guy, and am always trying to make things comfortable for my clients, whether the issue is large or small. In some ways, I work like a doctor, letting my clients explain the issues before I diagnose and help them solve the underlying problems. At the end of the day, clients have to feel that there’s a good fit in terms of style and personality, so everything else can fall into place.
David's clients draw on his wide range of experience in diverse financial matters, from general tax issues to deal structuring, to increasing profitability to refinancing property. For over 20 years he has worked with high net worth individuals and both privately and publicly held companies to structure their business dealings and finances. During that time, he has been instrumental in the purchase and sale of several businesses.
David's clients typically include closely held firms in real estate, high tech, new media and manufacturing, as well as law firms, medical practices and high net worth individuals. He also works in conjunction with sports agents to provide business management services to their high profile clients, and oversees a robust family office practice. He has led seminars for the Practicing Law Institute, including one on tax matters and household employment when that was an emerging topic in the early 1990s.
As co-managing partner at Adelman Katz & Mond, LLP, David has been the firm's chief visionary, charting its growth strategy and select and determining the additional resources necessary to meet clients' needs. David is on the board of directors of New York SAVE, an organization that helps to arrange reduced-fee veterinary care for pets and owners in need.
He also coaches soccer and is an active member of a social organization in his community. In his spare time, David enjoys playing tennis and golf. He lives in Edgemont, New York, with his wife, Mindi, and their children, Sophia and Max.
Years as CPA: 25
Years with AKM: 25
Specialties: Immigration-related tax issues; International tax issues; Trusts and estates; Real estate.
Memberships: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Member, Personal Financial Planning Division; New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants; National Conference of CPA Practitioners
Licenses: CPA, NY; Life Insurance, NY; Health Insurance, NY
Education: BA, State University of New York at Stony Brook; MA Studies, City University of New York, Bernard M. Baruch College
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