Del Rey, Tanzi, Guglietta, D’Ambrosi, CPAs, LLP: Celebrating 25 Years with the Chamber
By Danielle Wiseman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Del Rey, Tanzi, Guglietta, D’Ambrosi, CPAs, LLP (DTGD) is a full-service accounting firm that provides quality and highly personalized traditional accounting services to both small businesses and individuals in Staten Island and beyond. Old-time Staten Islanders may recognize DTGD’s location on New Dorp Lane as the former Doherty’s Tavern, a beloved and respected establishment within the community. When DTGD took over the building when Doherty’s shut down, DTGD carried over the space’s warmth, creating a new but equally familiar space right in the heart of New Dorp.
DTGD first started to take shape in 1983 when the late Bernard Del Rey, founder of DTGD, was elevated to partner at Spinelli & Company, the firm where he was working at the time. Following the retirement of Tom Spinelli in 1996, Del Rey formed his own firm, Del Rey & Company CPAs, and continued working in partnership with Anthony Tanzi, who at that point had been with Spinelli & Company for nine years. Del Rey and Tanzi worked together as sole partners of the firm until 2018. On June 1, 2018, Bernard Del Rey suddenly and tragically passed away at the young age of 66, leaving behind his three children and eight grandchildren.
“There was a hole in the heart of the office when Bernard passed, but Anthony had been his partner for 22 years and he pulled everyone together and launched us on current path,” says Phillis Guglietta, a partner at DTGD. Shortly following Del Rey’s passing, the firm became Del Rey, Tanzi, Guglietta, D’Ambrosi, simultaneously recognizing the Del Rey name and welcoming Phyllis Guglietta and Ellen D’Ambrosi as partners. “Now we have a ‘new’ normal, but we always think about Bernard and the foundation he and Anthony gave us.”
Today, DTGD employs a professional staff of seven highly skilled and dedicated individuals, in addition to its three powerhouse partners. Staff members range from CPAs to senior accountants to administrative personnel, all ready and willing to help at any given moment. “Bernard was truly an advocate for all our clients and always wanted to make sure they understood their tax or accounting issues. He held himself to the highest standards and expected the same from the staff,” said Guglietta.
“I like to say that I came to DTGD as a baby accountant, and I grew up here,” says Guglietta, who started at the firm back in 1998 and worked her way up to partner. “I was raised by this firm; I’m a lifer.” DTGD continues to cultivate a positive and supportive work environment where employees learn, grow, and thrive.
Staten Island has been, is, and always will be the focus for DTGD. “Our Staten Island roots run deep because this is where we are from. All our employees are from Staten Island, and a few of them have families that have been here for generations,” adds Guglietta, a native Staten Islander. “Our roots even show through our clients, some of whom we have had for decades. They’re loyal to us, and they like us because we’re local in the same way that they are. Our clients relate to us, and we can relate right back to them.” DTGD prides itself on creating, developing, and maintaining those quality, long-term relationships with both businesses and individuals on Staten Island.
DTGD’s clients are so dedicated that when they leave New York, they remain with DTGD. “Even though we’re very deep in Staten Island culture, we have clients that have left Staten Island and now live all over the world,” says Ellen D’Ambrosi, another partner at DTGD. “They may move physically, but they never leave us as their accountants.” The unwavering loyalty displayed by clients of DTGD only proves to us that DTGD is worthy of all the high praise it receives. The firm honors its belief in traditional accounting, serving clients by using the same methods they’ve always used. DTGD’s services are tried and true, and their dedication to and care for clients is unmatched.
This year, DTGD is celebrating its 25th year with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. The late Bernard Del Rey made the decision to become a member of the Chamber in 1997, and we couldn’t be happier that he did so. “Joining the Chamber shows our investment in the community. It shows that we are a solid, reputable business,” says Guglietta. “Being a part of the Chamber was as important then as it is now. We’re a small business, and who is our advocate if not the Chamber?”
In recent years, Phyllis Guglietta joined one of the Chamber’s Business Guilds, a networking group where business owners, executives, and professionals meet weekly to build relationships, support each other’s businesses, and discuss ideas for future success. Guglietta is a member of Business Guild 3, where she can connect with like-minded people in different industries.
“We trust the Chamber to be there and do that community-based small business advocacy because ultimately it benefits us and our clients,” says Guglietta. For DTGD, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce acts as a hub for resources, an easy and accessible network, and the ultimate small business supporter. We are thrilled to celebrate DTGD’s 25th year with us, and we look forward to another 25 more!