The Buckeye Bookkeeping Team
Melissa Mercer
Founder and President
Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn
Melissa's interest in accounting and bookkeeping was inspired by several volunteer treasurer positions she held in organizations when her children were young. She completed her Professional Bookkeeper designation and opened Buckeye Bookkeeping in 2006. Shortly thereafter she earned the Intuit Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor status.
Melissa has worked with businesses in a variety of areas including retail, daycare, restaurant, professional services, legal and construction. Melissa has also honed a niche working with not-for-profit organizations, recalling her initial experience as a volunteer treasurer.
She and her husband have two children who are currently pursuing careers of their own. Melissa and her husband love spending time with their family and their corgi. They also enjoy traveling, hiking and time with long-term dinner group friends.
Dorota Luczkowiec
Senior Accountant
Dorota is a senior accountant here at BBS. She spent several years in both bookkeeping and financial roles. As a child her dream job was to be an accountant. She enjoys going to the park, hiking, gardening, can fix almost anything around the house and gets a 3 mile walk in each day. Dorota is originally from Poland and also loves to watch soccer. She lives in Powell, OH with her family, and their 2 cats Luna and Junior.
Dorota's core work schedule is 7– 3pm Monday day through Friday.
Lori Pflaum
Staff Accountant and Client Services Coordinator
Connect with Lori on LinkedIn
Lori joined the team in 2017 and brings an extensive background in Accounting and Business Management. After graduating from OSU where she earned her BSBA in Accounting, she quickly launched her accounting career at Coopers & Lybrand. Now she brings with her a solid knowledge base in the accounting cycle processes and procedures to ensure the production of an accurate and timely financial package. Lori focuses on client communications and managing accounts for the team.
She and her husband live in Worthington along with their daughter and furry family members. Lori enjoys cooking, yoga, tennis and travel.
Lori's core work schedule is 9am – 3pm Monday through Wednesday.
Traci Poole
Accountant
Traci is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned her BSBA in Accounting. She spent several years in both accounting / financial roles and as a business owner. She enjoys developing client relationships, learning about businesses, as well as assisting clients with their bookkeeping and accounting needs.
She and her husband live in Powell and have 2 sons. She is an avid fan of OSU Men's Volleyball, loves animals, warm weather, and recently discovered pickleball!
Traci's core work schedule is 10am – 5pm Tuesday through Thursday.
Craig Ryland
Accountant
Craig is a graduate of Franklin University where he earned his BS in Accounting. He has spent several years in both accounting and information technology leadership roles. Craig loves data and keeping up on technology news, and spending time with his wife. They have travelled over 7,000 miles by boat along the United States's eastern seaboard.
Craig lives in central Ohio with his wife and their miniature long-haired dachshund Carlee.
Craig's core work hours are mornings Tuesday through Thursday.
Elizabeth Aulino
Bookkeeper
Elizabeth Aulino is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Education with continued education in Accounting at DePaul University in Chicago. Liz has worked as an accountant and bookkeeper in the construction industry in Central Ohio, as well as with a software development firm in Chicago. Liz is a Certified Bookkeeper with the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and is in the process of acquiring Quickbooks© certifications.
Over the years, Liz has also taught Financial Accounting and Bookkeeping at Columbus State Community College for over 14 years and enjoys teaching and helping others in the field.
Liz currently lives outside of Delaware with middle school twins and a daughter who will be a sophomore at Ohio State this year. Her interests are running, genealogy, gardening, and cooking. Liz looks forward to working with clients and providing worry-free transaction and financial statement management.
Liz's core work schedule is 9 am – 2 pm Monday through Thursday.
Cheri Carter
Bookkeeper
Cheri joined the Buckeye Bookkeeping team in April 2021. She previously served as the Chief Financial Officer for a non-profit, behavioral health organization for 20 years. She was responsible for the fiscal planning, implementation, managing and running all the finance activities from budget through tax filing and audit oversight. She led the fiscal activities of the organization from its founding through a merger in 2020. She understands and appreciates the importance of the fiscal role in supporting the vision and mission of a small business. She is currently in boot camp to become a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.
Cheri and her husband, John live in the Berwick neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio.
She thrives in warm weather, walking on beaches, watching the sunset over water and flower gardening.
Cheri's core work schedule is 8:30-4:00 Tuesday through Thursday.
Douglas Buck
Bookkeeper
Doug joined Buckeye Bookkeeping in the spring of 2023. He grew up in northern Ohio and holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Valparaiso University and a Master's degree in business from Northern Illinois University. His career in engineering and corporate finance began in Chicago and later led him to Columbus. Doug has served as the treasurer and financial support for several local nonprofits. He loves the outdoors and has even spent time as a Park Ranger. Doug enjoys partnering with clients to help them understand their financials, and to provide accurate bookkeeping that allows owners and leadership teams to make more informed, strategic decisions. He and his wife, Peggy, live in Lewis Center with their 4-legged family members.
Doug is available Tuesday – Thursday during the morning and early afternoon hours.
Cindy Shondell
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
Cindy Shondell is a people leader and bookkeeper based in Columbus, OH. She joined the BBS team in the spring of 2023. Prior to BBS Cindy spent 18 years in retail management with a focus on operations and people development. Cindy has a love for learning, especially anything related to mindset and behavioral economics.
When she is not at work you can find Cindy exploring the zoo with her son Nate, hiking, working in the garden, or curled up with a good book. Cindy resides in Powell, OH with her husband Ryan, son Nate, and their two miniature schnauzers: Gideon and Harrow.
Cindy is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the morning and early afternoon hours.
