John Casassa, CPA, MBA, MST

John advises sophisticated nonprofits, including charter schools and charter management organizations, private foundations, and affordable housing developers, as well as multi-program Community Development Corporations (CDCs). His experience extends to a wide variety of community-oriented lenders supporting the sector, including Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), quasi-public agencies, and other specialized lending organizations.

John has specialized expertise in tax credit-based financing used widely in the community development industry, including New Markets Tax Credits, Low-Income Housing tax credits, federal and state Historic Rehabilitation tax credits, Renewable Energy tax credits, and projects that combine tax credits with various levels of debt and rental assistance subsidies. He routinely provided advisory services throughout a project’s life cycle from deal structuring to tax credit compliance, and assisting with investor exits.

He has extensive experience providing audit solutions in accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidance, requirements, and reviews related to charter school accounting and auditing. Additionally, he conducts audits and reviews in accordance with Uniform Guidance/Single Audit and Government Auditing Standards along with U.S. GAAP financial statement reporting.

John is a recipient of AAFCPAs’ 2023 peer-nominated Emerging Leader Award for excellence in client service, technical skills, and leadership. In 2024, he received the partner-nominated Joel Aronson Character Award for his dedication to clients and community service. John is an active Bentley alumnus, volunteering with Bentley’s Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center.

Education

• Bentley University – Master of Science in Taxation
• Nichols College – Master of Business Administration
• Bentley University – Bachelor of Science, Corporate Financing and Accounting

Service

• Board President, Chesterbrook Community Foundation
• Program Director, Bentley University Volunteer Income Tax Program
• Board Treasurer, Indian Brook Condominium Association

Professional and Civic Associations 

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants

2024 Joel Aronson Character Award

2023 Emerging Leader Award Winner