Trusted
advisers
since 1979.
At Sixt Gerhard & Associates, we approach every new client as the start of a meaningful relationship. Based on your needs, you will be assigned a primary adviser who will provide comfortable, consistent service—so you always know who is working on your important documents. Plus, our team of CPAs works in a collaborative environment to take advantage of specialized experiences and expertise.
Ashley Gerhard
CPA, Partner
Ashley oversees operations and business development at SGA. She also personally handles the accounting and tax needs of many of our clients.
If her name sounds familiar, it’s because Ashley is the great-niece of the firm’s founder, Ed Sixt. After serving in multiple roles for over 15 years, she took over for Ed and was named Managing Partner in 2020. Ashley graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BS in Accounting and Finance. She lives in Sardinia, NY, with her husband and two children, and enjoys sports, music, and traveling.
Michelle Tharnish
CPA, Partner
Michelle is our go-to resource for tax planning, including personal, small business, estates, and trusts. She takes the time to listen to your situations and goals before putting a tax plan in place.
Before joining our firm in 2007, Michelle gained accounting experience at M&T Bank and EY. She was also the assistant controller of a publicly-traded company and tax manager of a national accounting firm. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree from Canisius College and enjoys hiking and traveling.
Julie Wengewicz
CPA, Partner
Julie focuses her attention on tax and accounting for small businesses and owners. Depending on the day and time of year, you can find Julie working with clients through QuickBooks, preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, preparing tax returns, or a variety of other tasks.
As our longest-tenured team member, Julie joined the firm in 1997. She graduated summa cum laude from Niagara University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and major in accounting. Julie lives with her husband and two children in Orchard Park, NY. In her free time, she enjoys curling up with a good book.
Kathleen Burzynski
CPA
Kathleen assists clients in a multitude of ways, including financial reporting and tax preparation for individuals, corporations, partnerships, gifts, trusts, and estates. She’s well-versed in accounting software and provides QuickBooks consulting for small business clients.
Kathleen joined SGA in 2008, has over four decades of public accounting experience, and is a NYS Notary. She graduated with cum laude honors from SUNY Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Kathleen has a beautiful daughter and enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family.
Melissa Woods
Associate Accountant / Payroll Associate
With a wide range of experience and skillsets, Melissa contributes to SGA in several ways, including weekly payroll processing, monthly bookkeeping, and individual tax return preparation.
Prior to joining the firm in 2021, Melissa worked in the non-profit field. At the Center for Elder Law & Justice, she developed a screening tool to assess the risk of financial exploitation of seniors, as well as handled accounting for the WNY Coalition Pooled Trust. Earlier in her career, Melissa served as assistant VP of a multi-state bank. In her free time, Melissa is a board member and treasurer of WEDI, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her son.
Kim Holland
Administrative Assistant
Kim brings more than 30 years of office administration experience to SGA. Whether preparing correspondence, communicating with clients, or scheduling meetings, she approaches every task with a positive attitude and supreme professionalism.
Kim joined our firm in 2018 and holds a degree in Office Technology/Word Processing. She’s the proud mother of two daughters and enjoys kayaking and spending time outdoors.
Megan Reilly
Administrative Associate
Megan has been providing an exceptional experience to our clients since she began working for our firm in high school. Now a Business Management graduate of Hilbert College, she is taking on an expanded role while helping to keep the company running smoothly. She’s proud to say that SGA is her first job.
tax@sixtcpa.com
KATHY BURZYNSKI
CPA
MELISSA WOODS
Associate Accountant/Payroll Associate
KIM HOLLAND
Administrative Assistant
Get to know us.
To find out if SGA is the right fit for your accounting or tax need, contact us to schedule an introductory consultation.