Our Firm
Our Origin Story
The journey of KVR.CPA is one of vision, purpose, and commitment to excellence in serving the nonprofit sector.
Chapter 1
A Meeting with Purpose
Chapter 2
A Clear Mission
Chapter 3
A Partnership Built to Last
1A Meeting with Purpose
On Christmas Eve, while most were winding down for the holidays, Nancy, Jonathan, and Ken sat down to finalize a CPA peer review. It wasn't glamorous — but it was meaningful; two firms came together with one shared vision:
To make accounting more impactful, efficient, and collaborative — especially for mission driven nonprofits and the firms that support them.
We also re affirmed our commitment to help other community based CPA firms via the peer review process and related education and consulting.
The Merger: A Shared Vision
KVR.CPA was created when Nancy Kelly, Jonathan Vitale, and Ken Raffol decided to merge their practices and respond to the growing challenges in the industry.
Yes, the name is simply our initials. We're accountants — we believe in clarity over cleverness.
We came together around three major industry challenges:
Talent retention
Peer review complexity
Unpredictable economic environment
Our solution? Build a stronger, more resilient firm — focused on collaboration, client service, and the nonprofit sector.
Why We Merged (The Real Reason)
Sure, there were strategic reasons — broader reach, complementary skill sets, and expanded capacity.
But fundamentally, we merged because working together made us stronger. We could:
Share Technology
Share technology and systems for greater efficiency
Support Teams
Support each other's teams and expertise
Deliver Value
Deliver more value to clients without increasing fees
The result? Improved service. Stronger infrastructure. A growing community of professionals and clients who support one another.
Our Core Values
We lead with intention and stand by our values:
Expertise
We know the nonprofit sector inside and out. Our decades of experience give us the insight to solve complex problems with clarity.
Quality
We hold ourselves to the highest standards — because mission-driven organizations deserve nothing less.
Efficiency
We embrace automation, smart systems, and proven processes to do more — with less stress and fewer resources.
Growth
We invest in the development of our team, our clients, and the tools that move everyone forward.
Knowledge Building and Sharing
Our partners and staff team have devoted our careers to knowing the not-for-profit financial space, yet instead of keeping all of that expertise in-house, we freely share our knowledge to our clients, to the not-for-profit community at large, and even to other accounting firms.
We embrace an open-source model of sharing. If you need it and we have it, consider it yours. We have built up a warehouse of knowledge and experience which is part of the service we provide.
Philanthropy
KVR.CPA is an active member of the community that we work and serve in.
We proudly support a number of not-for-profit organizations and their missions that better our world. KVR annually donates up to 10% of the gross revenue of the firm back to the not-for-profit community each year on a rotating basis.
Recent Grantees:
The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport
Better Community Living
MIRA Coalition
Social Innovative Forum, Boston
Paige Academy, Roxbury
Certified Women-Owned & Minority-Owned Business
The firm is a certified women-owned business in Massachusetts, New York City and New York State. In Massachusetts, the firm has been certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance Operational Services Division's Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) as a women-owned and minority-owned business. In New York City, the firm has been certified by the Small Business Certification Unit.
Your relationship with us can demonstrate your commitment to supporting women-owned and minority-owned businesses when engaging with your increasingly diverse stakeholders.
We succeed, in part, because of our clients who are committed to hiring and supporting a women-owned/minority-owned business. They remain our clients because of the in depth and consistent service that we provide to them.
3
State & City Certifications
7+
Countries Represented
Our Legal Expertise
Robert C. Johnson, JD
Legal Director
KVR.CPA brought Robert on board to provide legal expertise to our firm. Robert has worked in the prisons on a pro bono basis as a criminal defense attorney for over 25 years, defending individuals wrongfully accused of crimes. He also worked as an affirmative action officer for the Massachusetts Board of Community Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Robert stepped back from his law practice after a heart attack in 1992 and became an Africana Studies professor at University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Robert has published extensively in the field of African American history. Most notable among his books are: Why Blacks Left America for Africa: Interviews with Black Expatriates, 1971-1999, and Nantucket's People of Color: Essays on History, Politics, and Community. As a playwright, Robert has documented the African American experience with dramas such as Scag, Stop and Frisk, and Mama G. He graduated from Cornell Law School where he got his JD degree.
Robert continues to provide ongoing legal support to the firm. His expertise in law and his extensive experience make him an invaluable resource for our organization and clients.
A Long History of Community Involvement
Making a Positive Difference in Our Communities
Both at the corporate level and through its individual employees and senior management, KVR has established a long track record of community involvement, both civically and philanthropically. We recognize that strong communities build brighter futures and that exceptional companies are built on values as well as talent.
"We approach this area of our personal and corporate commitment with the same "Get It Done" attitude that we bring to our business."
At KVR, people are encouraged to get involved not only in industry associations and activities but also in the communities in which we live and work. This often involves donating money, but equally rewarding is the gift of time. Providing guidance and leadership at the board level, volunteering for routine activities like spring cleaning at a youth center, coordinating fundraising campaigns, directing summer employment for inner-city youth, and organizing food drives at our properties are just some examples of how KVR employees make a positive difference.
Our Approach to Nonprofit Accounting
KVR.CPA brings decades of specialized experience to nonprofit accounting. Our team maintains deep expertise in nonprofit tax compliance, financial reporting, board governance, and strategic financial planning that supports your mission.
We understand the unique financial challenges nonprofits face, from complex funding streams to specialized compliance requirements. Our services are designed specifically for organizations operating under 501(c)(3) status and other tax-exempt designations.
Our peer review expertise has helped dozens of accounting firms improve their quality control processes and compliance with professional standards. We believe in strengthening the entire accounting ecosystem through knowledge sharing and collaborative improvement.
Whether you're a small community organization or a large foundation, our approach combines technical excellence with a genuine understanding of your mission. We focus on empowering your team with financial insights that drive better decision-making and operational efficiency.
Our Commitment to Excellence
At KVR.CPA, we believe that accounting for nonprofits requires more than technical expertise—it demands a deep understanding of the mission-driven nature of these organizations. Our partners have served on nonprofit boards themselves, giving us insight into the challenges these organizations face from both financial and governance perspectives.
We invest in specialized training for our entire team on nonprofit accounting standards, Form 990 preparation, grant compliance, and other areas critical to the nonprofit sector. This investment ensures that we're always prepared to address the complex needs of organizations working to create positive social impact.
The nonprofit landscape continues to evolve, with increased regulatory scrutiny, changing funding models, and growing expectations for transparency. Our commitment is to provide not just tactical accounting support, but strategic guidance that helps organizations navigate these challenges while staying focused on their core mission.
TALK TO US
Maximize your mission's potential.
Transform compliance challenges into mission opportunities. Connect with our specialized Not-for-Profit team now.