Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Accounting Partner in Kingston, NY
At Merck & Shumen CPAs, we combine the experience of a large firm with the personalized attention that only a small firm can provide. Our clients return year after year because they trust our expertise in managing both simple and complex financial needs. We specialize in strategic tax planning, financial planning services, auditing, and consulting for individuals and businesses. Our team of certified professionals, including ABV and PFS accredited accountants, delivers tailored solutions to minimize tax liabilities, optimize cash flow, and ensure compliance.With over two decades of experience, we prioritize long-term relationships and environmental responsibility through initiatives like paperless bookkeeping. Our services extend to payroll management, cost segregation studies, and international tax planning, supported by a commitment to staying ahead of regulatory changes. We operate from Kingston, NY, serving clients with a focus on transparency, ethical standards, and client-centric service.
Services
Tax Preparation
Business Tax Planning
Payroll Services
Cost Segregation Studies
Estate Tax Planning
International Tax Compliance
Bookkeeping
Audit Representation
Financial Consulting
IRS Representation
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We combine large-firm expertise with personalized, small-firm attention.
- Our team includes ABV and PFS certified tax specialists.
- We offer strategic cost segregation studies to maximize tax savings.
- We prioritize environmental responsibility through paperless bookkeeping.
- We provide tailored payroll solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Associations and certifications
- NYSSCPA
- ABV
- PFS
Services
Tax Preparation
We prepare federal, state, and international tax returns with industry-specific expertise. Our team ensures compliance while identifying deductions to minimize liabilities. Services include individual, corporate, and nonprofit tax filings, with support for complex transactions like mergers and acquisitions.
Cost Segregation Studies
Our cost segregation strategies accelerate depreciation deductions for commercial real estate. This service benefits businesses in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail by deferring taxes and improving cash flow through detailed asset classification.
Payroll Services
We handle payroll processing, tax filings, and compliance reporting for businesses. Our customized systems support direct deposit, vacation tracking, and multi-state tax calculations, ensuring accuracy and regulatory adherence while saving clients time.
Estate Tax Planning
We design estate plans to minimize taxes and distribute assets according to client wishes. Services include trust structuring, gifting strategies, and liquidity planning to preserve family legacies and ensure smooth business succession.
International Tax Compliance
We assist businesses with cross-border tax issues, including entity structuring, transfer pricing, and foreign tax credit utilization. Our expertise helps clients navigate global regulations and optimize tax outcomes for international operations.
People
Richard J. Merck
Managing Director & Founder
CPA with ABV and PFS certifications, Richard has over 35 years of experience in tax planning and business valuation. He founded Merck CPAs & Consultants in 2002 after working with KPMG and other firms. A summa cum laude graduate of Northeastern University, he specializes in IRS representation and financial statement preparation.
Donald L. Shumen III
Director
CPA specializing in tax strategy for corporations and nonprofits. Donald joined in 2004, became a shareholder in 2013, and holds multiple academic honors. He graduated summa cum laude from Marist College and focuses on tax compliance and consulting for diverse entities.
Leslie Lohrer
Bookkeeping Specialist
With over 20 years of experience, Leslie manages bookkeeping and payroll services. She implemented the firms paperless initiative and trains clients on online banking. Her expertise includes QuickBooks and compliance reporting for small businesses.
Arleen M. Schenck
Office Manager
Arleen oversees billing and client relations, with 30+ years of IRS e-filing expertise. She has held leadership roles in legal and community organizations and serves as the firms Notary Public.
Evan P. Hapeman
Accountant
Evan prepares tax returns and audits for corporations and individuals. He joined in 2014 after graduating from SUNY New Paltz and specializes in bookkeeping and payroll tax compliance.
Questions
How do you bill for your services?
Invoices are due upon receipt. Tax returns require payment before filing. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
What are your office hours?
Jan 1–Apr 15: Mon–Fri 9–5, Sat 10–3. Apr 16–Dec 31: Mon–Thu 9–5. Evening/weekend appointments available.
Do you represent clients during IRS audits?
Yes, we provide audit representation at regular fees, with estimated costs discussed upfront.
What materials do you need for tax preparation?
We prefer computerized accounting files but accept most formats. Individual tax info can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.
Do you offer payroll services?
Yes, we provide customized payroll systems with direct deposit, tax filings, and compliance reporting.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Kingston, Saugerties, Red Hook, and Woodstock, NY, with clients across the Hudson Valley.
Reviews (1)
Graham Austin
Aug 20, 2025
Report
Gaffed me off multiple times and is absolutely horrible about responding to people.
Made multiple obvious errors on my LLC's taxes. Refused to fix them or answer questions about them. Instead he insisted that it was right and tried to charge $300 just to have the discussion. Normal CPAs will walk through everything before filling out the forms, this guy just went off an excel sheet, made a bunch of assumptions, sent one follow up email, and submitted it. Absolutely absurd response, horrible quality work, horrible quality service, and clearly just trying to extort people instead of owning his mistakes
Made multiple obvious errors on my LLC's taxes. Refused to fix them or answer questions about them. Instead he insisted that it was right and tried to charge $300 just to have the discussion. Normal CPAs will walk through everything before filling out the forms, this guy just went off an excel sheet, made a bunch of assumptions, sent one follow up email, and submitted it. Absolutely absurd response, horrible quality work, horrible quality service, and clearly just trying to extort people instead of owning his mistakes
