About us
A Steady Partner for Growing Businesses
Built for Business Owners Who Want More from Their Accounting Firm
At our firm, we help business owners turn numbers into insight. Founded in 2017, Surace & Stanton, LLC has grown into a dependable resource for companies throughout Broomall and the surrounding region—particularly those in the $1M–$30M revenue range. Our team delivers financial reporting, tax strategy, and ongoing support that gives clients the clarity they need to make informed decisions and stay focused on what matters most: running and growing their businesses.
Meet the People Behind the Work
Experienced. Approachable. Aligned With Your Goals.
Our team includes professionals with backgrounds in tax, accounting, and financial reporting. Many of us came from larger firms—but chose to build something more personal, more responsive, and more aligned with the needs of closely held businesses. We take pride in delivering work that’s accurate, timely, and grounded in what business owners actually need from their financial partners.
Ryan M. Surace, CPA
Partner
With over 20 years of experience, Ryan is especially skilled in providing high quality accounting and taxation services across a range of industry sectors. His experience in the financial arena gives him particular strength in auditing and assurance, taxation, analytics, business planning and budgeting, SEC compliance and filing, succession planning, and internal accounting functions. His clients are small and mid-sized companies across a range of sectors including manufacturing, wholesalers, construction contractors and real estate.
Ryan is passionate about developing successful strategies with closely held business owners and individuals who are looking for security in their financial future. He provides best in class advisory and strategic planning on all areas related to tax and financial concerns and consults on the full range of back office services. Ryan is skilled at helping ensure strategies are based on timely and reliable financial information, which in turn helps ensure success. In addition, he has particular interest and competence in advising entrepreneurs and start ups and serves on the Board of the Philadelphia Chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a global thought leader on entrepreneurship. Whether you are acquiring an existing business or starting you own, Ryan provides trustworthy and sound financial, accounting and tax advice which will position you for success.
Ryan received a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Scranton. He started his accounting career at EY (Ernst & Young) and prior to co-founding Surace & Stanton, Ryan was a partner at a prestigious regional accounting firm.
Ryan is excited to work with his wife! Ryan & Colleen live in Springfield, Pennsylvania with their three daughters. When out of the office, Ryan enjoys barbecuing, running and tinkering with his fantasy football team.
“I am excited to come to work each morning. Our team brings energy and passion to our clients’ financial situations that I can’t help but match. Our insights provide clarity, mitigate risks and effectively help our clients run their businesses, solidify their retirement and succession, and provide peace of mind about their tax and financial position.”
Colleen Surace, CPA
Partner
Colleen joins Surace and Stanton after spending over 15 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”). Colleen’s experience as a Director in PwC’s assurance division ideally positions her to assume leadership of the financial statement and attest functions at Surace and Stanton.
Colleen led audit teams serving a diverse client set including SEC registrants, privately held companies, registered investment companies, and broker-dealers. Colleen served as the firm’s direct liaison with senior management and was vital to responsive client service and effective communication.
Colleen loves working with clients and internal teams to solve complex business and accounting issues, ensuring compliance with the rules in a way that satisfies the client’s practical business needs. In her role in PwC’s National Professional Services Group, Colleen provided technical accounting expertise to other audit teams across the country regarding topics including the new revenue standard, consolidation and investment company accounting under US GAAP and IFRS.
Colleen also published internal and external articles on new and developing accounting standards to aid clients and audit teams in determining the impact to their financial statements.
Colleen analyzed management’s internal processes to identify gaps and aided management in the implementation of controls to address those gaps. Several of
Colleen’s audits underwent internal and external quality reviews for which she led the response to the examiner’s inquiries and defended the audit procedures performed. No deficiencies were found by the review teams.
Colleen is excited to be joining the Surace & Stanton team. Her mix of strong technical skills, dedication to responsive, friendly client service, and integrity to her deep-set values make her an ideal fit to serve Philadelphia’s entrepreneur community.
Colleen is excited to work with her husband Ryan! Colleen and Ryan live in Springfield, Pennsylvania with their three daughters. Colleen teaches religious education and is an active participant in her church. When out of the office, Colleen enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen, exercising, reading and crossword puzzles.
Partner
Emeritas
Joe has proven expertise in small and mid-sized business accounting, taxation and operations management with over 30 years of diverse experience. Throughout his career, Joe has successfully designed and executed financial growth strategies leading client companies to achieve increased profitability and expansion. Joe has advised clients of all sizes across the full range of sectors including wholesale, retail, nonprofit, manufacturing and professional practice organizations with clients located in the Greater Philadelphia region as well as nationally. With extensive experience as a corporate controller, Joe offers unique expertise in setting up accounting infrastructures and managing corporate internal operations including driving performance, financial reporting, identifying profitability centers, IT and payroll activities.
As a QuickBooks Pro Advisor, Joe provides valuable assistance to small and mid-sized business owners and controllers in setting up and running QuickBooks to its maximum potential with the goal of achieving efficiency and accuracy. Joe is skilled in working with individuals in areas related to tax and financial concerns and provides consulting services to companies in all areas related to CFO functions. Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University. Prior to founding Surace & Stanton, Joe was a partner in a prestigious regional public accounting firm.
Joe and his wife Betsy live in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. In his free time, Joe loves spending time with Betsy and their three grown children as well as pursuing his passions of baseball, used book stores, and American history. Joe was a coach, referee, and administrator for youth sports for 25 years.
“As I’ve entered the realm of business ownership, I find that not only do we need to be attentive to our clients’ needs and that they be properly and timely served, but that our employees need to be engaged, enlightened and put into a position to succeed. These two items are not mutually exclusive but are the pathway to success.”
Office Manager
Erin has played a key role in supporting all aspects of the firm’s daily operations from the day we opened. Erin is often the first person our clients meet, and she is passionate about ensuring top notch, responsive client service on the full range of individual and company accounting concerns.
Erin has taken a lead role in implementing and championing the firm’s workflow management system and individual tax return preparation process. She has significantly increased the firm’s efficiency and turn around time by her management of our individual tax workflow.
Erin is also a key component to the firm’s financial statement quality control and bookkeeping services. Her meticulous attention to detail and responsiveness prove invaluable to the firm’s focus of providing great service. Prior to joining the firm, Erin set up internal systems and provided administrative services at a regional public accounting firm.
Erin earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the California University of Pennsylvania. She is an avid reader and along with her husband enjoys hiking and spending time with their dog.
Tax Manager
Alhassane Diallo is a seasoned tax professional with over eight years of experience in public accounting, specializing in federal and multi-state tax compliance, planning, and advisory services. As a Tax Manager at Surace & Stanton LLC, Alhassane leads client engagements across a diverse portfolio of businesses, trusts, and individuals, ensuring accurate and timely filings while delivering strategic tax solutions.
He has extensive experience providing tax and advisory services to privately held businesses in the small/middle market, including those in the real estate, construction, professional services, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. Alhassane is passionate about helping owners of small and mid-sized privately held businesses navigate the full spectrum of their lifecycle—including launch, growth, maturity, and succession or transition. He prides himself on adding value beyond tax compliance and serving as a trusted advisor to his clients.
Prior to joining Surace & Stanton, Alhassane worked at regional public accounting firms where he led high-performing teams and developed a deep understanding of the tax challenges faced by privately held companies.
Alhassane holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DeSales University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, extended family, and close friends. He also enjoys working out and running.
Tax Manager
Craig is an experienced tax advisor who brings strong practical knowledge and understanding of the issues of the day. He is no stranger to the accounting world, with 30 years of accounting and human resources experience under his belt. Craig specializes in Tax and Accounting for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. Craig is also an active member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Craig prides himself on responsive client service. From formulating your tax plan to resolving federal, state and local tax matters, Craig reliably serves your tax needs. He walks you through the complex tax process ensuring all your tax information is accurately reported to put you in the most tax advantageous position possible.
Craig is a Philadelphia native who received his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son, and is a loyal fan of the Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Phillies.
Senior Accountant
Luke has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and is a trusted tax and financial accountant. He has particular expertise preparing and filing individual, partnership and corporate tax returns as well as preparing monthly, quarterly and year-end financial reports for both GAAP and tax purposes. He is especially talented at building a company’s books from the ground up, locating problems and formulating creative solutions. He is an expert problem solver! Throughout his career he has worked with companies across a range of sectors including retail, manufacturing, construction, nonprofit and professional services.
Luke is a QuickBooks Online Pro Advisor and consults with clients on setting up and managing company records as well as locating and correcting errors to achieve accuracy and efficiencies in reporting. He has proven success in providing responsive client service and he is focused on best accounting practices as he partners with his clients.
Luke received a Bachelor of Science degree from The State University of New York at Old Westbury. His hobbies include working on home renovation projects, camping, kayaking, landscaping, photography, and learning just about anything new!
Senior Accountant
Ryan has over three years of public accounting experience. His experience includes leading audit engagements, performing compilations and reviews, and advising businesses on accounting practices. Ryan brings a detail-oriented and client-focused approach to every engagement, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and actionable insight. He is especially good at grasping new accounting guidance and being a go-to person on new and challenging topics.
Throughout his career, Ryan has provided exemplary accounting services while maintaining great rapport with the client. As a very outgoing person, Ryan has proven that he has no problem initiating and maintaining valuable relationships to garner full trust from clients and coworkers alike.
“If you know your client well enough and they trust you, your job becomes easier. They will come to you for advice that helps to establish a proactive approach to financial decisions and reporting, rather than a reactive approach at year-end”
Ryan received a Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University majoring in Accounting and Finance. Outside of work, he enjoys learning how to complete DIY projects, golfing, fishing, and spending quality time with his wife and young son.
General Accountant
Dianne specializes in transaction recording, bank reconciliations, and full-cycle bookkeeping using both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. She also assists with our audit and other attest services. A certified QuickBooks Pro, she brings a solid background in audit and accounting, having previously worked as an audit associate for two years and as an accounting staff member in a manufacturing firm.
Her expertise spans a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail, food service, finance, entertainment, education, and nonprofit organizations—proving her spreadsheets can handle just about anything. Dianne holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa in the Philippines and currently serves as an outsourced employee supporting the company remotely.
When she’s not making sure the books balance perfectly (or trying to convince QuickBooks to behave), Dianne enjoys indulging her inner foodie, binge-watching movies, painting, camping, playing Sudoku, and organizing her home—because who doesn’t love a little order in life?
To help business owners operate with clarity, confidence, and financial discipline—through accurate reporting, forward-looking tax strategy, and consistent, dependable service.
What Drives Our Work
Who We Serve
We Work with Companies That Need More Than Just Compliance
Professional Service Firms
We work with law firms, consultants, design studios, and other professional service businesses that have outgrown DIY accounting. Whether you're navigating project-based revenue, contractor payroll, or partner distributions, we help you stay organized and strategic as your firm scales.
Construction & Trade Contractors
We support builders, HVAC companies, electricians, and similar businesses with job-based reporting, cash flow monitoring, and tax planning tied to seasonal shifts. We understand how these businesses move—and how to help owners maintain control through every project cycle.
Healthcare & Wellness Practices
From solo practitioners to multi-provider offices, we help medical, dental, and wellness practices manage recurring revenue, equipment purchases, and payroll—all while keeping financials lender-ready and tax-efficient.
