Michael J. Gardyasz, CPA, CPC, QPA, TGPC

Work Experience

Mike is the Managing Member of Starbridge Benefits Solutions, a Lakeland-based firm dealing exclusively with employee benefit plans.

As a Florida Certified Public Accountant, Mike has built a specialty practice in consulting and design of employee benefit plans.    His past work experience with local, regional and national accounting firms has given him a broad knowledge of this complex area.    

Education

      Stetson University

      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

Professional Memberships and Certifications

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Member
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA), Member
• American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries: Certified Pension Consultant (CPC), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA), and Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC).
• Tampa Bay Pension Council, Member

 Representative Projects

• Successful representation before the Internal Revenue Service in examinations covering qualified retirement plans.
• Coordinating Internal Revenue Service voluntary compliance filings to correct operational defects in qualified retirement plans.
• Plan design and compliance testing for new comparability (“cross-tested”) defined contribution plans for medical, construction, legal and manufacturing plan sponsors.
• Design and implementation of cash balance defined benefit plans.
• Design and implementation of “mirror 401(k)” nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements.

Presentations

Mike has spoken at meetings on a variety of topics related to qualified and nonqualified retirement plans. He has also taught continuing education courses for local professional associations, among them the Polk County and West Coast Chapters of the FICPA, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Estate Planning Council of Polk County.