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About

About Our Firm

For years, Kest, Forte, Rottenberg, PA has been providing quality, personalized financial guidance to local individuals and businesses. Our expertise ranges from basic tax management and accounting services to more in-depth services such as financial statements, tax, estate and financial planning.

Kest, Forte, Rottenberg, PA is one of the leading firms in and throughout the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. By combining our expertise, experience and the team mentality of our staff, we assure that every client receives the close analysis and attention they deserve. And we do so with a friendly, personal touch. Our dedication to high standards, hiring of seasoned tax professionals, and work ethic is the reason our clients return year after year.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple. We believe our job is to help you achieve your goals. Using our collective knowledge, experience and the best technology available, we endeavor to collaborate with you. We strive to add value through proactive planning and advice. We want to be the first people you call when you need help. We have been a staple of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area's business community for years, and pride ourselves on the level of esteem we have earned.

Our dedication to hard work has earned the respect of the business and financial community in and around the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. We believe this to be a direct derivative of our talent and responsiveness to our clients. Whether you are a current or prospective client, rest assured that individuals and businesses who choose Kest, Forte, Rottenberg, PA receive competent and timely advice.

Our Team

Lewis K. Kest, C.P.A.

Our founder and inspiration, Lee Kest remains active after some fifty plus years of service. His dedication to the firm and the clients is unsurpassed. His speciality is wealth management and business acumen. The wisdom and experinece he provides is invaluable. Lee is an active and well-respected member of the greater metropolitan Washington D.C. Jewish community and its various charitable organizations.

Frank Forte Jr., C.P.A., P.F.S.

Frank has been with the firm since 1971 and is a shareholder. He enjoys working with owners of small businesses and individual clients. He believes understanding the relationships between business and personal taxes and financial planning provides planning opportunities and is a key to success. He became a PFS, the AICPA's personal financial specialist designation, some 15 years ago, passing the exam with Highest Honors. Shortly after that he became a certified estate planning specialist. These fields of specialized knowledge are valuable resources when assisting clients. Frank's clients are varied, but include real estate, retail and professionals in health care and law. Frank is responsible for the firm's information technology and enjoys discovering ways technology can improve both the firm's and client operations. When not at work, Frank likes spending time with his family, including his two dogs, reading, and all things Italian.

Michael L. Rottenberg, C.P.A.

Michael has been with the firm since 1978. He works with business and individual clients. The business clients are in various fields, such as retail pharmacies and liquor establishments. When it comes to client records and tax compliance, Michael wants everything to be in order, and it is. A Baltimore native, Michael is a Ravens and Oriole fan of long-standing.

Jane Hollister

Jane started with us part-time while in school and has been with us full-time since 1987. Jane is a paraprofessional. She helps maintain client accounting records and assists with various worksheets and tasks. Jane edits and assembles all client financial statements. She is also responsible for the efiling of all tax returns. Currently she is doing coursework towards a certificate of financial management at the University of Maryland. Knowledge is our most important resource.

Jennifer M. King

Jennifer is our "director of first impressions and goodwill ambassador", and more. Since 1984 she has been helping clients in all sorts of ways, whether answering their questions, fulfilling their requests or directing them to another person. She does the same for other firm members as well, taking on whatever task needs to be done. She also assists with maintaining client accounting records. She is responsible for the assembly and delivery of all tax returns. Jennifer is an active member of and volunteer in her church.

Eve N. Owens, C.P.A.

Eve has been with us since 1995. She supervises the maintenance of client accounting records. She is a certified QuickBooks Advisor. She prepares business and individual tax returns and financial statements. Eve enjoys ceramics.

News

TAS Tax Tip: Don’t Forget to Take Minimum Withdrawals From Your Retirement Accounts Before December 31

Required Minimum Distribution Taxpayers generally have to start taking withdrawals from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, […] The post TAS Tax ...

TAS Success Story: Making the Flight

December 4, 2023  – A power of attorney (POA) called TAS for help resolving a client’s balance due. The POA […] The post TAS Success Story: Making the Flight appeared first on Taxpayer ...

NTA Blog: A Cautionary Tale About Tax Court Filing Dates

November 30, 2023 – Today, I want to remind taxpayers about the importance of filing electronic petitions by the applicable […] The post NTA Blog: A Cautionary Tale About Tax Court Fili...

Success Story: TAS Advocates to Resolve Large Liability

November 20, 2023  – The taxpayers filed an amended return showing that they actually lost money on the real estate sale […] The post Success Story: TAS Advocates to Resolve Large Liabi...

TAS TAX TIP: IRS Resumes Sending Some Collection Notices

The post TAS TAX TIP: IRS Resumes Sending Some Collection Notices appeared first on Taxpayer Advocate Service. ...

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins Receives Prestigious Award for Lifetime Achievement in Tax

November 9, 2023 – National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins Receives Prestigious Award for Lifetime Achievement in Tax   National […] The post National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. ...

Important Tax Information for People Experiencing Homelessness

November 9, 2023 – The Taxpayer Advocate Service asks that you to help spread the message about resources available to […] The post Important Tax Information for People Experiencing Hom...

TAS Success Story: TAS Untangles Complex Refund Issue

November 3, 2023  – A taxpayer came to TAS after her bank returned her refund to the IRS via a […] The post TAS Success Story: TAS Untangles Complex Refund Issue appeared first on Taxpa...

TAS Tax Tip: Resolving an Improper ERC Claim

November 1, 2023 – If you have determined you do not quality for an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) you claimed, the […] The post TAS Tax Tip: Resolving an Improper ERC Claim appeared f...

NTA Blog: Recognizing the 2023 National Celebration of Pro Bono

October 23, 2023 – This week, from October 23-27, is the 2023 National Celebration of Pro Bono. The American Bar […] The post NTA Blog: Recognizing the 2023 National Celebration of Pro ...