Meet the Principals

Having completed his finance degree at the University of Maine, Scott earned an MBA from Hofstra University in 1982 and started his career in public accounting at the Manhattan office of Arthur Andersen & Company. He returned to Maine and joined the Portland office of Coopers & Lybrand as a tax manager. In 1996, he became a founding principal of McLeod|Ascanio.  Scott’s exposure to the demands, results and rewards of excellence embodied by multinational accounting firms has guided his vision of client service. His expertise encompasses a wide range of services including auditing, tax consulting and compliance; strategic business planning and process improvement; and estate and personal financial planning.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine and Babson College. After receiving his MBA from Babson, he spent over three years as general manager of his family’s contracting firm, where he was instrumental in expanding the market base and restoring the company to profitability. Jim joined Coopers & Lybrand in 1989 as a staff accountant where he soon advanced to senior accountant. His working relationship with Scott led to his becoming a founding principal of McLeod|Ascanio in1996. In addition to providing his clients with accounting and tax services, Jim adds value through his business advisory services, valuation work and complex bank financing proposals.

Sally Horton earned her BS in accounting form Husson College. She started her career at Horton, McFarland & Versey in Ellsworth, Maine, where she provided both tax and audit services to abroad cross section of clients. Later she joined Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker in Portland, specializing in financial management consulting, auditing and third party reimbursement for healthcare clients. Sally joined McLeod|Ascanio In 2001 and has been instrumental in expanding the assurance offerings of the firm to clients, both big and small.

Matt Barbour earned degrees in accounting and public relations from Syracuse University. He started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1999 as an audit associate in the Denver office. In 2000, he transferred to the firm’s Portland office and advanced to senior associate, performing both audit and consulting engagements for a variety of clients. Matt joined McLeod|Ascanio in 2004, rounding out the assurance side of the practice. Using his background and experience, he has helped the firm branch into new areas such as higher education and non-profits.