New York-based IPA 100 firm Grassi (FY24 net revenue of $146.54 million) has announced the addition of Christopher Mears, as financial services practice leader and partner, and Toni Mazzacca, as tax partner.
Mears and Mazzacca bring more than 60 years of combined experience advising investment funds and regulated financial institutions, including hedge funds, private equity and venture capital firms, asset managers, investment advisers, banks and broker-dealers. Their additions expand the firm’s leadership depth and strengthen resources for clients navigating a complex regulatory environment.
“Financial services is one of the most complex and highly regulated industries we serve, and it demands experienced leadership with deep technical expertise,” said Louis C. Grassi, CEO and founder of Grassi. “Appointing Chris as financial services practice leader, alongside the addition of Toni’s deep tax expertise, reflects our intentional investment in strengthening leadership, continuity, and technical depth so clients are supported by experienced professionals who understand both today’s challenges and what’s ahead.”
As financial services practice leader, Mears will guide the practice’s strategic direction with a focus on quality, consistency and oversight. Prior to joining Grassi, he led the asset management practice at a Big 4 firm, overseeing audit, compliance and advisory services for a diverse financial services client base.
“Grassi has built a strong Financial Services practice grounded in client service and technical rigor,” Mears said. “I look forward to leading the practice’s continued evolution by strengthening the firm’s capabilities and supporting clients as they navigate regulatory complexity and operational change.”
Mazzacca joins Grassi with experience as a tax partner at a Top 10 accounting firm and more than two decades of experience as a director at a Big 4 firm. Her background strengthens the firm’s financial services tax capabilities as clients operate across increasingly complex, multijurisdictional structures.
“I’m excited to join Grassi as the firm continues to strengthen its Financial Services practice,” Mazzacca said. “Drawing on my experience across domestic, international and highly specialized tax environments, experienced technical insight will be an important resource for clients navigating evolving regulatory and reporting requirements.”
Grassi’s financial services practice has served the industry for more than 40 years, providing assurance, tax and advisory services to alternative investment funds and regulated financial institutions.
