Zinner & Co. proudly welcomes Karen J. Costantini, CPA, and Brian Lynch, MBA, to our team.
Karen was named Senior Tax Manager, while Brian will serve in the role of Audit Senior.
Karen Costantini
With more than 25 years of experience involving all aspects of tax planning, including federal, multi-state, international tax, mergers and acquisitions, and other tax-efficient strategies for businesses and their shareholders, Costantini is a good fit for Zinner. She has worked extensively with privately held and private equity-owned companies across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution and service.
She began her career with a public accounting firm, where she worked her way up to Senior Tax Manager. She then joined a local accounting firm as a Senior Manager and was promoted to Director. In 2022, she was named Partner at a regional accounting firm. Costantini also had two separate stints with another firm, as well.
For her, the move to Zinner was about getting back to aspects of the industry that she missed.
“I’ve been working with a lot of private equity-owned large corporate clients,” she said. “You don’t usually get the same personal connection when PE owns it. I missed family-owned businesses and interacting with clients and their families.”
She understands the need for clients to work with someone they can trust.
“I like helping clients navigate the ever-changing tax landscape,” said Costantini. “Taxes create a lot of stress for business owners, so they love having someone they can depend on to ensure they are in compliance as well as planning to minimize their tax burden.”
Communication, she explained, is key to understanding the needs of each client.
“We want our clients to think of us on a regular basis, and many times we touch base quarterly,” said Costantini. “This helps us understand their business and tax issues and how to help alleviate pain points and plan for the future.”
She also viewed the opportunity to work at Zinner as a chance to broaden her background by working in a different sector.
“The client base here is a lot different than the large manufacturing and distribution companies that were my main focus for my entire career,” she said. I wanted to shift into something a little different, and I’ll be able to do more individual and family tax planning here.”
Besides working with clients, she will also put her managerial experience to use as Senior Tax Manager. She described her management style as collaborative.
“My style is coaching,” Costantini said. “I have over 25 years of experience, so it’s fun to help those just starting out in their careers.”
Her management style will fit well in the family-like environment found at Zinner & Co.
“It’s a bit like a family here. It’s small enough that you know everyone and everyone jumps in to help out,” she added.
Costantini holds a B.A. in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from Baldwin Wallace University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.
In her free time, she enjoys meditation, hiking, reading, and spending time with her daughters, who attend The Ohio State University.
Brian Lynch
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he earned his MBA and majored in Accounting and Business Pre-Law, Lynch has a passion for the industry.
He was attracted to Zinner & Co. by the firm’s work with non-profits in the Greater Cleveland area.
For Lynch, the decision to join Zinner was about finding the right fit.
“I enjoy making a positive impact in the city I grew up with, and I’ve also enjoyed meeting so many great people,” he said. “It has been a fun, new experience.”
While changing employers can be stressful, Lynch credited his new colleagues for making him feel right at home.
“Everyone has been friendly and helpful,” he added.
In his new role of Audit Senior, Lynch will rely on the strengths he has developed in his career – operational and IT audit experience – and use them in public sector accounting.
“Years of audit experience taught me the detective skills, communication styles, patience, and work ethic needed to succeed at Zinner,” said Lynch. “Additional experience in tax, investing, bookkeeping, and my MBA at BGSU have provided the level of challenges that have resulted in me being ready for this role.”
Before joining Zinner & Co., he spent nearly three years a private equity firm, where he worked as an Internal Auditor. Prior to his time at Equity, he was a Financial Associate for a local financial advisor.
With his experience in the internal banking industry, he is looking forward to public sector accounting and getting to meet and work with clients.
In his spare time, Lynch enjoys skiing. This past winter, he enjoyed taking a ski trip to Breckenridge, Colo. He also likes playing the guitar, but admits he cannot play “Free Bird.”
