Our Management Team

BRYAN S. TAYLOR, CPA

Founder & Partner

Bryan is the founder and president of VP Fund Services. Bryan is a CPA and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants. Bryan started his career with PriceWaterhouse in 1986, where he provided audit and consulting services to predominately investment advisors and public and private investment companies.

In 1992, Bryan joined Arthur Bell & Associates (now part of Cohen & Company), an accounting firm with an international client base concentrated in the alternative investment management industry. In 1994, he became a partner of the firm largely responsible for its audit, accounting and consulting practice with an emphasis on investment advisors, brokers and dealers in securities and alternative investment funds. In 1999 Bryan formed VP Fund Services.

He and his wife Lisa, along with their three children (Daniel, Abby and Sean) love sports (soccer is #1) and traveling.

DANIEL HABBART, CPA

Managing Partner & President

Daniel has been with FFS since 2002 and began his accounting career in 1994 after graduating with a major in accounting from Virginia Tech.  After many years of experience in the alternative investment industry, Daniel specializes in accounting for commodity pools, NFA reporting and fund performance tables.  He recently has shifted his focus on private equity clients in the real estate industry and in the last few years has helped to develop a team to oversee accounting for cryptocurrencies.  He enjoys spending his spare time with his wife Jenni and their two sons, Jackson and Landon.

JACOB SOKOLOWSKI

Managing Partner & Vice President

Jacob joined FFS in 2016 and heads up our Richmond, Virginia office.  He received his Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in accounting, from the College of William and Mary in 2004.  Jacob began his career with James River Financial Corp., and helped in establishing Admiral Administration (US) LLC, a third party fund administrator.  Following the acquisition of Admiral Administration by Maitland Administration in 2012, Jacob became responsible for the day to day operations of Maitland's Richmond, VA office, focusing on new client integration and comprehensive business support. Jacob is an avid hunter and enjoys spending time outdoors. He and his wife Shannon, along with their 3 children (Paige, Kara, and Isaac), reside in Goochland, Virginia.

ELIZABETH A CUMMINGS, CPA

Partner

Elizabeth has serviced the alternative investment industry since joining FFS in 2000.  Her areas of expertise include financial reporting, as well as administration and consulting services to hedge fund and private equity fund clients.  Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in accounting, from Salisbury University in Maryland.  Prior to joining FFS, Elizabeth began her career in public accounting at Arthur Andersen, where she provided audit and assurance services.  She is a licensed CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  When not crunching numbers, Elizabeth enjoys running, indoor cycling and yoga.

JOSHUA PHILLIPS, CPA

Partner

Joshua has been with FFS since 2010 and has been in the accounting field since 1999.  He specializes in hedge fund accounting relating to equity funds and financial statement preparation.  Prior to joining FFS, Joshua worked as a Senior Manager at Clifton Larson Allen (Clifton Gunderson, LLP).  He received his Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in accounting and finance, from the University of Maryland in 1999.  Joshua and his family are avid baseball fans and their goal is to visit every major league baseball stadium. 

SHAHEEN JHARIYA, CPA

Partner

Shaheen joined the Bel Air, Maryland team in 2005.  Shaheen has over 15 years of experience in the investment and banking industries. Prior to joining VP, Shaheen worked at Arthur Bell & Associates (now part of Cohen & Company) as a Senior Tax Accountant providing tax services to hedge fund, securities and managed futures clients. Shaheen has a Bachelor of Science Degree, with a major in accounting from Loyola College in Maryland.

MATTHEW THOMPSON, CPA

Matthew has been with FFS since 2007 and has been in the accounting field since 1989. Matthew specializes in real estate funds and enjoys developing and implementing efficient solutions for FFS clients. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in accounting, from the University of Baltimore in 1988. Matthew has over 20 years of financial reporting experience for public and private companies. He served as CFO for the Baltimore Orioles and as Vice President of Finance for the Washington Nationals.

Matthew and his wife Misty enjoy traveling especially with their children, Tori and Julia.

NANCY SUTTON SMITH, CPA

Nancy oversees our financial reporting team which specializes in the preparation of financial statements for hedge funds, funds of funds, commodity pools and private equity funds. She and her team manage the preparation of over 175 sets of financial statements each year. Nancy joined the Bel Air, Maryland team in July 2016 after having approximately 22 years of public accounting experience in the alternative investment industry.  Prior to joining FFS, Nancy worked at Arthur Bell & Associates (now part of Cohen & Company) from 1994 to 2016, where she was a Director in the audit department responsible for the audits of a wide range of alternative investment funds.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Accounting from Virginia Tech.  Nancy maintains an active CPA license in the state of Maryland and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Nancy enjoys vacationing with her husband and three children, watching her daughter on stage and in the marching band and watching her sons play baseball, basketball and soccer.

SEAN P LONDERGAN, CPA, CMA

Sean joined the Bel Air, Maryland team in January 2021. While at FFS, Sean led the implementation of Dynamo Software which is being used for partnership accounting, client relationship management and investor communications including the use of customized investor portals. Prior to joining FFS, Sean was the Director of Fund Accounting for Campbell & Company, LP, an alternative investment manager and commodity pool operator. Sean’s career at Campbell spanned over 20 years where he oversaw all back-office operations including Campbell’s shadow accounting using Eagle Investment Systems. Sean’s career began as an auditor with Arthur F. Bell, Jr. & Associates, now part of Cohen & Company. Sean graduated from Penn State University and is an active CPA and CMA.