About Us

Kim E. Wawrzynowicz, CPA   kim@premiercpas.com 
Master's Degree in Accounting  ♦  Partner of the Firm  ♦  Wrestling Mom       

"My objective as a CPA is to educate my clients and develop close relationships with them to understand their goals, ideas, and challenges. This allows me to provide the absolute best tax and advisory services tailored to their specific needs.

With over twenty years of experience, I’ve been a part of hundreds of start-ups spanning a variety of industries.  I’ve assisted in mergers and acquisitions.  Keeping good books, with a meaningful chart of accounts, is essential for operational decision making AND when you are ready to sell or merge to ensure highest valuation.

We built our practice to be a full-service CPA firm to limit hand-offs and to provide you with what you need when you need it – payroll, bookkeeping, tax preparation, estimated tax payments, business advisory, QuickBooks® assistance, and so on.  Our team is remarkable."

Kim lives in Lebanon with her husband and two young boys. They love wrestling, camping (more like glamping!) and hiking. She’s a wrestling Mom during the winter season but a referee all year long!  

Wendy J. Richardson, CPA   wendy@premiercpas.com 
Masters in Business Administration   ♦  Partner of the Firm   ♦  Grandma   ♦  Loves to Golf!     

"Welcome to our firm! We celebrate and support small business.  We started our firm back in 2004 from the ground up and with the continued support of our clients, our team has grown dramatically over the years.

Every business has different challenges, but we all have many of the same goals – and we are here to assist you with strategies and solutions to help you reach those goals.  

I have never met more hardworking people than small business owners – and I know because I am one of them, but at the end of the day, we want to turn the lights off, shut the door and enjoy the life that our hard work has enabled us to have."

Wendy lives in East Lyme with her husband Paul.  She loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, nature photography and golf.

Melissa Petersons   melissa@premiercpas.com 
Accounting Manager   ♦  Notary Public  ♦  Master of Balance Sheets       

Melissa joined the Premier Team in 2018. She makes great, welcomed recommendations for improvements to our firm's processes. She serves as Accounting Manager.  Melissa earned her associate degree in Accounting and is working towards completing her bachelor’s degree.  She brings 20 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience to Premier.

Melissa is one of our QuickBooks® Desktop and Online experts and a payroll specialist.  She provides daily hands-on service to clients, offering timely answers and solutions.

Melissa resides in Gales Ferry with her husband and two children.  She loves a good puzzle and is a master problem-solver. 

Janis Tangney   janis@premiercpas.com  
Office Manager/Bookkeeper  ♦  Notary Public  ♦  Artist Wanna-Be       

Janis joined the Premier Team in 2018.  She earned her B.A. from the University of Connecticut and has more than ten years’ experience as a paralegal in Estate Planning. While working with a local attorney, she assisted in preparing IRS Applications for Exempt Recognition, Estate and Gift Tax Returns.  

Janis handles all administrative functions, serves as new business on-boarder and supports the entire Premier Team.  She is cross-trained in bookkeeping and payroll duties. 

Janis lives in East Lyme with her husband, three children and rescue dog.  She volunteers for the East Lyme Viking Band and enjoys photography, musical theater and tap dancing.  Janis tells us that she's not a fan of cats, however, she’s made friends with Profit! 

Lisa Colon   Lisa@premiercpas.com  

Staff Accountant   ♦  Profile and picture coming soon!

Kristine Belliveau   kristine@premiercpas.com  
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper  ♦  Racing Enthusiast     

Kristine is our newest addition to the Premier Team. She earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration and Management from Three Rivers Community College. With more than eight years’ experience in the banking industry, Kristine’s accuracy skills are exceptional!  

Kristine’s responsibilities include sales tax return preparation, payroll services, bill paying services, bookkeeping and reconciliations. She is also available to answer QuickBooks® questions. She is a valued member of Premier’s Accounting Team.

Kristine is the youngest of six children…shy is not in her vocabulary. Kristine and Profit have formed an incredible bond – he shares a cozy spot near her desk.   She grew up a race fan and would be happy to tell you all about her teenage nephew’s latest SKLite racing victory!