Team

Sadly, Larry Isdaner passed away in December 2005. He was one of the original founders of the firm. He and his father established the firm in 1967. Larry had over 48 years of experience in the accounting industry and his range of expertise was extensive, having worked both in the accounting and tax areas of the practice. He provided business-consulting services to manufacturers, retail operations, wholesalers, distributors and service organizations.

Larry was very involved in the community. He was the founder and chairman of the board of the Allegiance Bank of North America. He was active in the nonprofit organizations of Golden Slipper Club; he was board member and past president and Pop Warner Little Scholars. He also served on the advisory board of the directors of the Curtis Institute. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School.

Melvin Kates joined the firm in 1979 as a member. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner in other regional accounting firms and also was self-employed. His specialty is in the corporate and partnership tax areas. Industry areas of expertise include: manufacturers, law firms, healthcare, automobile dealerships and retailers.

His professional affiliations include: memberships in the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. He was an elected financial official of Whitemarsh Township PA. and treasurer of the Germantown Cricket Club. He also served as a trustee for several retirement plans and investment trusts.

Mel has a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and economics from Penn State University.

Howard Magen joined the firm, as a partner, in 1979. Previously, Howard was a partner in a national accounting firm. He specialized in accounting and auditing. He served commercial, individual, service and not-for-profit clients.

His professional affiliations include memberships in the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Howard is currently the Treasurer of the Union League of Philadelphia, Jewish Family and Children's Services, and the University of Pennsylvania Senior Associates. He is an honorary Vice-President of Congregation Rodeph Shalom and is Assistant Treasurer of Astral Artistic Services. He serves on the Board of the Friends of the Library of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Past President of the YM & YWHA.

Howard is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Leena Ritchie was a member of Isdaner & Company. She joined Isdaner & Company, LLC in 1989 and became a member in 1997. She had more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of tax planning and compliance. Her particular expertise was with partnership, “S” and “C” corporation issues. She also consulted with numerous non-profits and private foundations on issues particular to tax-exempt organizations. Another area of Leena’s expertise was in the area of multi-state, local, and city taxation and their impact on business operations and their owners.

She had been an active member of a variety of non-profit organizations including treasurer and board member of Supportive Older Women’s Network (Women’s Way Organization), past treasurer and board member of the Lower Merion Symphony, board member of the Philadelphia City Institute, and member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (Philadelphia Chapter). In addition, she had been a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House for many years.

Leena received her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of New Orleans. Her professional affiliations included memberships in the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. She had worked for both regional and international accounting firms.

Hank Abrams retired in December 2022. He joined Isdaner & Company, LLC as a member in 1987. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner in a local accounting firm. He had more than three decades of experience in the accounting industry. As a general practitioner, he used a variety of his business skills. Hank has experience in generation transition planning, tax planning and dispute resolution.

He was a resource to our closely-held and family-business clients.
His professional affiliations included: memberships in the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Hank is a graduate of Long Island University.