BUFFALO, NY, August 24, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sara M. Dayton has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Sara is the managing partner at Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, the culmination of more than 25 years with the largest locally owned independent certified public accounting firm in Buffalo, New York. Her current tenure began just prior to a pivotal moment for the firm as a major fire in May 2023 suddenly displaced the office for 17 months. Working closely with the firm's chief operating officer and employees, Sara used the disruption as an opportunity to rethink the workplace, incorporating employee feedback into the design of a modern office equipped with state-of-the-art technology and built to foster connection and collaboration. Since then, she has continued to lead the firm through significant change and growth, with a focus on strengthening its culture while preserving its commitment to independence, investing in technology, and developing its people. The firm's continued progress under Sara's leadership was recognized this year when Lumsden McCormick was named an Inside Public Accounting Fastest Growing Firm.
Before ascending to the role of managing partner, Sara excelled as a partner at Lumsden McCormick from 2012 to 2022. During this period, she contributed to the firm's exemplary leadership and continued to develop her expertise in governmental accounting and management. Her commitment to professional excellence was further established during her time as principal from 2008 to 2011, during which she played an important role in advancing the firm's strategic long-term growth initiatives.
Sara's career at Lumsden McCormick began in 1998, when she was hired as a staff accountant directly out of college. As she was promoted to senior accountant and manager, she demonstrated strong technical skills and leadership potential, setting the foundation for her subsequent advancement within the organization. Having accrued nearly 30 years of experience in her profession, she is widely recognized for her expertise in governmental accounting and, ultimately, firm management.
Alongside her primary roles, Sara is an active member of leading industry organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Government Finance Officers Association, and the BDO Gold Managing Partners Roundtable. Furthermore, she is affiliated with state and local entities such as the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Women's Executive Exchange, the Western New York Association of School Business Officials, and the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) New York.
Hailing from an equally foundational academic background, Sara earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from The State University of New York College at Geneseo in 1998, gaining essential knowledge that has supported her progression through roles of increasing responsibility at Lumsden & McCormick. Dedicated to the ideals of continuous learning, she completed the Governing for Nonprofit Excellence course at Harvard Business School in 2016 and is certified as a public accountant (CPA) by the New York State Education Department.
Reflecting on her storied journey to date, Sara attributes her success to a willingness to adapt to change — a quality she considers rare among accounting firms but essential for staying relevant in an ever-evolving marketplace. She credits the original founders of Lumsden McCormick for establishing a culture that has embraced innovation and adaptability since its inception in 1952. Additionally, she is immensely grateful for the exceptional mentorship she has received throughout her career, which has played an important role in her development as a leader.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Sara is also known for her deep involvement with civic organizations. Since 2009, she has served on the board of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Serving Erie County, an organization dedicated to creating a more humane community for animals and people, chairing multiple committees and serving at various times as Treasurer, Chairperson, and, currently, Vice-Chairperson. Since 2021, she has served as board treasurer for Buffalo-Erie Marathon Association Inc., contributing financial oversight and guidance to support community health-related events, including the annual Buffalo Marathon and Half-Marathon. She was also a board member for Cradle Beach Inc., an organization focused on empowering children with special needs, from 2018 to 2023.
Widely recognized for her influence and exemplary leadership over the years, Sara was named among Forbes Magazine's Best-in-State CPAs in 2026 as well as America's Top 200 CPAs in 2025. She has also been recognized by Buffalo Business First, including as a Women of Influence honoree in 2023, on its Power 250 each year from 2024 to 2026, and on its Power 200 Women list consecutively from 2023 to 2026. In addition to being recognized for her own leadership, Sara has served as a judge for several Buffalo Business First awards, including its 40 Under 40 and, currently, Women of Influence, as well as the ATHENA awards through the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
In her personal life, Sara has been happily married to her spouse, Andy, for over two decades and is the proud parent of her stepdaughter, Kayla, and her dog, Darby. As a balance to her professional and civic endeavors, she cherishes spending time at Buffalo Bills football games with her family and maintains an active lifestyle by traveling and running regularly.
Looking toward the future, Sara is dedicated to maintaining Lumsden McCormick's independence while supporting its growth through organic expansion and potential acquisitions of smaller firms. She remains committed to investing in technology, exploring innovative uses of artificial intelligence within the firm and fostering a positive culture that supports teamwork and long-term employee retention.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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