David McManus, CPA, CGMA

Dave leads AAFCPAs’ Commercial Tax Practice and the firm’s Cannabis Business Practice, providing highly coveted tax, entity structure, and business advisory solutions.  He has over three decades of proven experience advising manufacturers & distributors, real estate developers, high tech, bio tech, renewable energy, and cannabis businesses.

As the leader of AAFCPAs’ Cannabis Practice, Dave has been deeply immersed in understanding the complex financial and operational nuances of the cannabis industry since 2012. He advises multi-state operators, recreational and medical retailers, cultivators, product manufacturers, and investors. He proactively advises clients on risks, opportunities, and tax implications related to market entry, accounting methods, capital structure, debt financing, R&D, M&A, and goodwill impairment. He has led industry training sessions on interpreting and implementing new federal and state marijuana statutes, including compliance with 280E. Dave maintains a strong network of cannabis industry investors, attorneys, bankers, employee compensation and benefits providers, realtors, risk managers, and insurance agents, and he leverages these resources as appropriate to help clients achieve success.

Dave also provides U.S. Market Entry Point Consulting, advising international commercial corporations and nonprofits seeking to enter U.S. markets via Boston, MA. Dave’s guidance allows these multinational organizations to optimize their global growth and expansion plans, minimize regulatory and tax risks, and increase their competitive advantage in the U.S. He provides tax efficient business entity structuring of U.S. operations, certification of tax residency, as well as corporate and multi-state income/franchise tax planning and compliance, sales and use tax consulting and compliance, transfer pricing/customs valuations, ASC 740 tax provisions, and due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

Dave’s pragmatic expertise is highly sought-after because he understands how tax impacts decisions throughout all stages of a business life cycle. He advises clients on the impact of tax code changes, such as the monumental Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and Covid-19 stimulus initiatives, including emerging requirements that could impact economic stability and practical steps to take in response. Dave recommends solutions that are consistent with clients’ overall business environment & objectives, best practices, and in compliance with all applicable tax laws and rules.

Prior to devoting his full attention to strategic leadership of the growing Tax and Cannabis Practices, Dave served as Co-Managing Partner of AAFCPAs for 9 years, where he led the firm through tremendous growth.

Education

• Assumption College – Bachelor of Science, Accounting

Publications

• Cannabis Business Executive: New states, new markets: financial modeling for MSOs
• Cannabis Business Executive: Multi-State Tax Considerations for Multi-State Operators 
• Cannabis Business Executive: Are you ready for an exit?
• Worcester Business Journal: Cannabis Firms Must Overcome Financial Hurdles
• Boston Business Journal: AG Healey Supports Federal Bill to Legalize Cannabis Banking

Service

• EcoTarium – Trustee and Treasurer
• Assumption College – Accounting Advisory Board, President’s Council
• MSCPA – Management of Accounting Practice Committee
• 15-40 Connection – Central MA Board of Advisors
• Foster Parent