DST Advisory Group provides
advisory services to companies claiming Research Tax Credits in the United States.
R&D tax credits from the R&D tax credit specialists
R&D Tax Credits
What we do
We understand specific industries and technologies. We offer a competitively priced RTC claim deliverable that offers a high degree of success under IRS examination. Our interactions with client operations are credible, knowledgeable and non-intrusive. We strive to offer these core values to ensure our “relationship driven” spirit can continue forward. Work with R&D Tax Credit experts.
About DST
DST Advisory Group offers advisory services to companies claiming Research Tax Credits (RTCs) in the United States. DST helps our clients structure a technically credible claim, while maximizing their R&D Tax Credit entitlement. DST has nationwide experience with various IRS offices, allowing for quick integration of reporting requirements and best practices as part of our advisory services.
Industries we serve
Automotive
Parts and components manufacturing, fuel efficiency technologies, composite materials, EV battery technologies
Industrial Machinery & Equipment
Tooling, fixture or clamping design, precision machinery, prototyping, molding, stamping
Contract Manufacturing
Design to build, 3D modelling, programming (PLC, CNC, SCADA), machining techniques
Food Science Technology and Processing
Recipe formulation, product development, shelf-life, cleanliness methods, scale-up processes
Pulp and Paper
Wastewater treatment technologies, environmentally friendly technologies, pulp screening technologies
General Manufacturing
Automation, material selection, new designs, engineering changes, re-engineering designs, process development
Chemicals & Plastics
New applications for product, injection tooling design, material selection, high volume parts, weight reduction, process development for high volumes
Biotechnology / Medical Device
NPD, device hardware prototyping, pre-clinical or clinical trials, FDA or regulatory changes
Our Team
Our exceptional team of accounting professionals, technical engineers and scientists provides our clients with a vast amount of collective knowledge. This is complemented by a wide range of technical expertise that includes, but is not limited to: manufacturing, chemicals, mechanical, software, food formulation, electronic, robotics, biological sciences, biotechnology, mining, pulp and paper, and environmental.
Most of the information required for the Research Tax Credit (RTC) claim comes from the client’s engineering team. It is critical to have seasoned engineers and scientists with deep R&D experience, not accounting staff, working directly with your operations team. Our engineers apply their knowledge of R&D to discussions with your engineering team to ensure a more complete capture of qualifying activities.
Diane Stogiannes
President & Partner
Diane has over 15 years of experience in R&D Tax Credits, servicing Clients in both Canada and the United States. She has worked primarily with large multinational based companies to successfully claim and defend R&D Tax Credits. Diane holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Chemistry, a certification in Metallurgy – Iron & Steelmaking, and holds a patent in the field of Structural Engineering. She is a recognized subject matter expert by her peers and has presented at national R&D Symposiums, as well as at a number of National and Local Tax Executive Institute (TEI) events.
Chuck Badics
Sr. Director of Business Development
Chuck has over 15 years experience in compliance and taxation. He worked for 10 years at Thomson Reuters, focusing on corporate taxation. Chuck moved to a role as a corporate consultant helping accounting firms improve efficiency and profitability. At ADP Chuck worked extensively with large public accounting firms to help their clients with matters of taxation, employee benefits and insurance. Chuck graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Janet Schmidt
Director of Business Development
Janet is responsible for new business development and key account management. Janet has over 20 years in client relationship management. She began her career at Arthur Andersen and has since been in business development and client service roles in IT and finance serving clients in a variety of industries including energy, oilfield services, manufacturing, distribution, utilities, automotive, waste management, and insurance. Janet holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryan College.
Kyle Clark
RTC Manager, Engineer
Kyle has over 15 years of professional experience in an extensive range of fields that include oil and gas, commercial diving, utilities engineering, manufacturing, quality, and product development. Kyle has worked as a Production Engineer with General Motors and GM’s Red X Group as a Technical Problem Solver. He later joined GM’s Warren Technical Center as a Lead Engineer for Global Audio Systems. Kyle worked in academia as a Research Assistant in the Faculty of Engineering, cited on a number of published research papers. Kyle has his BASc. in Mechanical Engineering.
Cynthia C. Tirso
Sr. RTC Manager
Cynthia received her Masters in Legal Studies from Washington University in St. Louis’ School of Law. She also obtained her M.B.A. in Marketing and B.S. in Health from Texas A&M University. She has worked in specialty tax consulting for nearly 5 years, utilizing her skills to analyze data, quantify expenditures, and substantiate an excess of 250 R&D Tax Credits in Federal and numerous state jurisdictions. She leverages existing client financial and technical data to develop comprehensive fact and data-based analyses in conjunction with a thorough legal understanding of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically Sec. 41, to deliver high-quality, substantiated R&D engagements to decrease client tax liability and increase innovation in the US.
Tyler Palmer
Sr. RTC Associate
Tyler Palmer is well versed with tax returns, tax filings and reporting requirements. He has a Bachelor of Accountancy and Finance from California State University, Fullerton. Prior to joining DST, he worked as an Experienced Enterprise Accountant at UHY, LLP in Farmington Hills, MI. Tyler has also worked as a Staff Accountant at BDO US, LLP in Costa Mesa, CA.
Daniel Kielar
RTC Engineer
Daniel has over 8 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, with special expertise in precision metal removal, manufacturing process development, and new program launch activities. He has led cross-functional engineering teams at Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers and has been responsible for numerous successful program launches and continuous improvement initiatives throughout his career.
Before joining DST, Daniel worked at American Axle & Manufacturing as an advanced manufacturing engineer with responsibilities for the design and implementation of high-volume machining departments in the US and Mexico. Daniel has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Caitlin Aalund, Esq
Director
Caitlin Aalund is a licensed attorney specialized in transactional practice. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics as well as a minor in Business Administration. Before joining DST, Caitlin identified R&D tax credits for clients in industries including Software and Technology Development, System Integration, and Network Engineering. Caitlin assisted clients in the application of necessary legal doctrine to qualify for the R&D tax credit associated with the resolution of unique automation challenges for diverse applications. During law school, Caitlin acted as an editor of the corporate law journal, earned certificates in transactional practice, and competed as a member of the number one ranked moot court program in the nation.
Dan Osterland
Business Development Manager
Dan has 20 years of experience consulting businesses large and small with 8 years focused on corporate taxation at Bloomberg Industry Group (formerly Bloomberg BNA). He went on to be a technical consultant to law firms advising them on technology utilization to maximize efficiency. Prior to Bloomberg Industry Group, Dan worked with public accounting firms and their clients in the areas of HR & Benefits. Dan received his Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University.
Christina Hermiz. MBA
RTC Associate
Christina Hermiz has over 10 years of professional work experience in financial administration, reporting and analysis. She has worked in various industries including Banking, Engineering & Construction and Automotive. In her previous roles, she was a key contributor to the FP&A function and was responsible for analyzing, interpreting, and communicating financial information to inform data-driven business decisions. Christina received her M.B.A. and B.S. in Finance from Walsh College.
Miranda McCaleb, B.Sc.
RTC Engineer
Miranda has experience providing technical support across a variety of industries. Before joining DST Miranda was an Application Engineer at PCB Piezotronics working closely with engineers and researchers. She developed her skill set by focusing on identifying customers’ needs for specific applications, making appropriate recommendations for testing and supporting clients with any issues. Miranda has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Bioengineering from Oakland University.
Connect with DST Advisory Group
Michigan Office
One Northwestern Plaza
28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 840
Southfield, Michigan 48034
Corporate Office
320 W. Main Street
Lewisville, Texas 75057
Office: 248-443-3360
Toll Free: 877-214-8920
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