DANNIBLE & MCKEE, LLP EXPANDS CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESENCE WITH THE ACQUISITION OF BUFFINGTON & HOATLAND CPAS, PLLC

Posted on November 1, 2022

SYRACUSE, NY, October 31, 2022 – Syracuse-based accounting firm, Dannible & McKee, LLP, announced today the completion of the acquisition of Buffington & Hoatland CPAs, PLLC, a CPA and consulting firm located in Auburn, New York. The acquisition will take effect on November 1, 2022, and Buffington & Hoatland CPAs, PLLC will officially operate under the Dannible & McKee, LLP brand. This acquisition is part of Dannible & McKee, LLP’s strategic plan to strengthen its position throughout Central New York.

Buffington & Hoatland CPAs, PLLC has been providing accounting, tax and consulting services to individuals and businesses since 2009. Their expertise ranges from tax and accounting services to more in-depth services such as audits, reviews, compilations, financial and tax planning. The acquisition will add seven employees, including two partners, to Dannible & McKee, LLP, and the firm will maintain its current location in Auburn, New York.

“We are very proud of the nearly 13-year history of our firm and recognized that the next step for our team and clients was to join with a firm as highly respected by their clients and within the community as Dannible & McKee,” said Elaine Buffington, CPA, managing partner of Buffington & Hoatland CPAs, PLLC. “We look forward to offering expanded specialized services and deep industry insights for our clients and advancement opportunities for our employees.”

Elaine Buffington, CPA, will continue to practice as a partner at Dannible & McKee. Buffington has over 35 years of experience in both private and public practice. Her areas of specialization are auditing and accounting, business consulting and tax preparation. She has extensive experience with nonprofit organizations, as well as manufacturers, wholesale distributors and retail businesses. Buffington is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSCPA). She is active in the community and serves on the board of various community and nonprofit organizations.

Alice Hoatland, CPA, will continue to serve as a consulting partner. Alice has over 40 years of experience as a CPA in small business consulting and taxation. She is a member of the AICPA and the NYSCPA and has been very active in various professional and local community organizations, including the Cayuga Community Fund, Auburn Community Hospital Foundation, CCC Alumni Association and the Cayuga and Skaneateles Chambers of Commerce.

“Dannible & McKee’s focus on growth is driven by our commitment to deliver the highest level of quality service to our clients, while attracting and retaining bright and collaborative team members,” said Christopher Didio, managing partner at Dannible & McKee, LLP. “With our mutual priority on client service excellence, the strong synergies between our businesses and a shared culture focused on team member success, we see tremendous opportunities in this partnership for both our clients and our people. We are excited to welcome the staff, clients and friends of Buffington & Hoatland CPAs to our firm.”

 

About Dannible & McKee, LLP

Established as a partnership in 1978, Dannible & McKee, LLP is committed to providing the highest level of professional services in the areas of audit, tax, accounting and financial management consulting services to clients nationwide. The firm focuses on major industry lines and specializes in multi-state taxation review, business valuation, litigation support and fraud prevention and detection. With offices in Syracuse, Auburn, Binghamton and Schenectady, New York, the firm employs over 110 professional and support personnel, including 22 partners. Dannible & McKee was the first CPA firm in the region to join the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and is a member of GGI Alliance (GGI), an international network of independent professional firms committed to providing clients with access to expanded resources and professional expertise in the international marketplace. The firm has also been recognized as one of Central New York’s Best Places to Work in 2020, 2021 and 2022. For more information, visit www.dmcpas.com.

 

 

# # #

Other Member News

Eric T. Campbell
December 29, 2025

Eric Campbell Elected to Fulton Savings Bank's Board of Trustees

Campbell is the Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Oswego Health where he has worked since 2010.

Lunch with friends
December 26, 2025

Fulton Dining and Activity Center

Join us for a warm lunch and a cup of coffee.

Pictured accepting the award on behalf of the team are Jody Frawley and Herb Escher.
December 23, 2025

Blue Sky Associates Dale Carnegie Team Wins Top Honor at CNY BEST

At this year’s CNY Best awards ceremony, held on Thursday, November 20, Blue Sky Associates’ Dale Carnegie franchise team earned the top award in the “For-Profit” category, standing out among 26 submissions.

A thumbnail reading the news article's headline: "M.A. Polce Named to MSSP Alert’s 2025 Top 250 Managed Security Service Providers List for Sixth Consecutive Year"
December 22, 2025

M.A. Polce Named to MSSP Alert’s 2025 Top 250 Managed Security Service Providers List for Sixth Consecutive Year

Recognized by CyberRisk Alliance and MSSP Alert, the annual Top 250 MSSPs ranking highlights the most influential and effective managed security service providers worldwide.

December 19, 2025

2026 Medical Device Innovation Challenge (MDIC) Presentation

Learn about the MDIC application and eligibility process, program timeline, Innovation Law Center prepared commercialization research, subject matter expert mentorship, and Ergami's perspective as a participant of the program. 

Turning Stone Resort Casino’s 2025 Gingerbread Village Named One the World’s Most Over-the-Top Hotel Gingerbread Displays by Forbes Travel Guide
December 18, 2025

Turning Stone Resort Casino’s 2025 Gingerbread Village Named One the World’s Most Over-the-Top Hotel Gingerbread Displays by Forbes Travel Guide

The “Holidays Around the World” themed village earns international acclaim and joins an impressive list of eight displays spanning the globe.

The Book of Mormon
December 17, 2025

Back by Popular Demand! The Book of Mormon

Since opening on March 24, 2011, THE BOOK OF MORMON has become one of the most successful shows in Broadway history, breaking the Eugene O’Neill Theatre house record more than 50 times.

This workshop provides an immersive experience filled with hands-on exercises, expert insights, and proven Scaling Up frameworks. You´ll learn how to engineer the valuation of your business, your future, and your legacy.  You’ll walk away with: -Clarity on your business’s value and growth opportunities. -Real, actionable strategies to strengthen systems, people, and processes. -Guidance on aligning personal goals with your company’s future. -Network of other like-minded owners. -Case Studies, Thought Leader
December 16, 2025

Scaling Up to Finish Strong Workshop

Join our workshop and learn how to engineer your business valuation while scaling.

OPT Launches Real-Time Tracking for Fixed-Route Buses
December 16, 2025

OPT Launches Real-Time Tracking for Fixed-Route Buses

The feature, which is being integrated into the Ride Oswego County app, enables riders, staff and stakeholders to see a variety of information.