About Us
At George Peter Klee CPA, LLC, we’re committed to providing our clients with personalized, top-quality accounting services all under one roof. Our firm has proudly served Rochester, NY, and the surrounding region since 2005, and our team combines over 55 years of experience to deliver meaningful, knowledgeable, and prompt services.
If you need tax preparation assistance, bookkeeping or payroll services, or have general questions about your finances, we’re here to help.
Reach out or call 585-482-2080 today!
Our Story
Learn more about the history of our CPA & accounting firm!
In 1984, Pete Klee purchased the accounting business of Thomas Hall, PA. He continued the business for a few years, doing small accounting projects and preparing tax returns for individuals and small businesses.
In 1990, he formed a partnership with Arthur Brickman and continued the business as Klee and Brickman CPA. Mr. Brickman retired in 2004. In 2005, George Peter Klee CPA, LLC was established.
In 2004, Pete formed a separate company called PayIt Payroll to provide payroll accounting services in a reliable, responsive, and personalized way. His philosophy was to help small companies take the fuss out of payroll preparation and provide human resource capabilities.
In 2005, Pete hired his son, Chris, to be his senior tax manager after forming George Peter Klee CPA, LLC. Chris took over in January 2018. After many years of working alongside his father, Chris purchased the business, and today, the firm has evolved and continues to provide prompt and meaningful accounting services.
Our Staff
George Peter Klee, FOUNDER
Pete graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1950, and St. Bonaventure University in 1955. He was employed by the US Army from 1955 to 1957. He joined Rochester Products as a staff accountant in 1957. He moved to Xerox in 1964, where his duties included general ledger accounting, project accounting, and serving as a controller for the maintenance section. From there, he became self-employed, purchased accounting firms, and formed partnerships before founding George Peter Klee CPA, LLC in 2005.
Pete has been involved in many activities over the years. He was President of the Parish Council and Men’s Club at St. Boniface. He also served as a Board Member and Chairman of the Catholic Family Center, and was also a Board member of the Notre Dame Learning Center.
Christopher Klee, OWNER/SENIOR TAX MANAGER
Since 2003, Chris has been the senior tax manager in the Tax Division at George Peter Klee CPA, LLC. He has experience with domestic companies ranging from small businesses to mid-market, privately-held companies. Besides specializing in state and federal tax planning, he has advised on numerous acquisitions and tax issues involving the IRS.
Chris is amazing at developing proactive strategies at the corporate, shareholder, and owner levels. His goal is to always minimize his clients’ tax liabilities and maximize their asset growth. He develops and maintains relationships, believing: “If they succeed, I succeed.”
Chris and his wife, Cheri, have two children. In his free time, he enjoys coaching his son’s baseball team and his daughter’s basketball team. Golfing is another one of his passions.
Education
- B.S. in Accounting – SUNY Brockport
- Service expertise in tax planning and preparation
Professional and Community Service Involvement
- Penfield Youth Football – Board Member
- Center for Change – Board Member, Treasurer
- New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants – Member
- Independent Accountants Association – Member
Mary Lippa, OFFICE MANAGER
In 2009, Mary joined our team and assumed responsibility for general office functions, sales, and customer relations. Before joining, Ms. Lippa was the Director of Development and Communications at Wilson Commencement Park, a local non-profit organization. She also held various positions at the Al Sigl Center and Highland Hospital.
Mary has five children and five grandchildren and is married to Rod Koziatek, Vice President and CFO of the Al Sigl Community of Agencies. Rod and Mary are also owners of an antique establishment called Sugar Hill Country Barn, located in the Southern Tier of New York State. Mary is also a volunteer coordinator for the non-profit group, Ten Ugly Men Inc.
Education
- A.A.S. – Monroe Community College
Julie Bauman, TAX MANAGER
In February 2019, Julie joined The Klee Group, with over 18 years of public accounting experience. She specializes in corporate and individual tax preparation and in addition, provides bookkeeping services for small to mid-sized companies. She is also the Administrative Assistant for Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance Inc.
Julie’s interests include playing in a Handbell Choir at Bethany Presbyterian Church, serving on
various committees for her church and spending time with her family and friends.
Education:
- B.S., Accounting – Roberts Wesleyan College
Jackie Joyal
Raydel Guerrero, Staff Accountant
I like fishing and playing drums in my free time. I’m Hispanic, hence my natural language is Spanish. Another of my passions is car racing.
Education
B.S. in accounting – Rochester Institute of Technology
Tax planning and preparation for individuals and small to mid-sized companies
Professional and Community Service Involvement
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants – Member
Independent Accountants Association – Member
Next Generation of Accountants- Member
Brian Chauvin, Staff Accountant
A staff accountant with the Tax Division of George Peter Klee CPA, LLC. Brian has prior experience with corporate and personal taxes helping clients of all sizes manage their tax burdens and helping them plan for years to come.
Brian and His Fiancé Barclay have a single child. In his free time Brian enjoys reading, video games and traditional tabletop games.
Education
- MBA in Accounting from Niagara University
- MS in the Science of Finance from Niagara University