FIRM PARTNERS

Mark L. Thorne, CPA, CGMA

Mark began his accounting career working for a regional firm during his senior year at Central Michigan University. After graduating in 1983, Mark worked for a local firm until 1987, then joined Monroe Sweeris & Tromp and became a partner in 1995. Mark's expertise includes audit and assurance services for manufacturers, contractors, employee benefit plans, not-for-profit entities, and professional service organizations. Mark consults with businesses, their owners, and families in the areas of strategic planning, succession and transition, acquisition, merger or sales, tax and estate planning, and general business issues. His goal has been to work closely with businesses and their owners to help them succeed, whatever their financial goals may be.

Eric Oman, CPA

Eric received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1987. He worked 8 years in private industry before starting his career in public accounting where he spent ten years with another local public accounting firm in West Michigan. Eric came to Monroe Sweeris & Tromp in 2005 and became an Accounting and Auditing partner with the firm in 2009. His focus includes assisting clients with financial reporting related to audit, review and bookkeeping engagements in addition to consulting on strategic planning, capital budgeting, succession planning, corporate transitions, tax planning and internal control analysis. He formerly volunteered as a board member for a The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and has worked as an adjunct instructor at the college level teaching accounting, auditing, taxation and corporate finance.

Brenda Pavlak, CPA

Brenda received her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University. She spent nine years at a public accounting firm in West Michigan prior to joining Monroe, Sweeris & Tromp in 2011. Brenda became partner at the firm in 2018. She has extensive experience in trust accounting, small business consulting, and tax return preparation. Brenda works closely with small businesses and individuals providing tax planning and consulting services. Brenda has presented seminars on Tax Updates and Trust Accounting and Tax and is a member of the West Michigan Estate Planning Counsel. Brenda formerly served as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors of The Family Hope Foundation for over five years. In addition, she has been a member of AICPA and the MICPA.

Carolyn Van Allen, CPA

Carolyn joined Monroe Sweeris & Tromp in 2003 and became partner in 2018. She has worked extensively with clients in the nonprofit sector and has considerable accounting and audit knowledge along with federal and state regulation compliance expertise. Carolyn is active in meeting with and making presentations to not-for-profit groups on various financial reporting and tax planning issues. Carolyn also works closely with small business owners on accounting, financial reporting and tax planning issues. Carolyn is a graduate of Calvin University and currently serves on the University's Board of Trustees where she chairs the audit committee. She has served for many years on the Finance Committee of her church. Carolyn is also a member of the Michigan Association of CPA’s Nonprofit Expert Panel.

David Meyers, CPA

Dave works with closely-held companies across all industries to formulate long-term tax strategies and provide federal, multi-state, and local compliance. The in-depth planning includes issues such as entity selection, real estate, retirement plans, and succession design. Dave also works closely with company owners and other individuals to provide tax projection and new law analysis, trust and estate planning, gift and contribution strategies, and notice resolution. Dave has worked in public accounting since he graduated from the University of Toledo in 1992. He joined Monroe Sweeris & Tromp in 2015 and became partner in 2018. He has worked with international, national, and local firms servicing clients across all income ranges. Dave is a member of the AICPA and MICPA, is an active member of the worship team at Ada Bible Church, and participates in fundraising activities for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.