A legacy of protecting and empowering community associations
A record of safeguarding community associations with integrity
Founder Michael J. Novak has worked in forensic and financial roles since 2003, and across the broader accounting and not-for-profit field since 1990. He built Common Interest Advisors, LLC in April 2021 to bring independent, expert oversight to community associations. From our earliest engagement at Chicago's iconic John Hancock Center, our proven approach has uncovered sham reserve studies, referred corrupt professionals, exposed financial misconduct, and delivered unchallenged expert testimony in critical legal cases.
Our trusted guidance empowers boards and owners—restoring transparency, enforcing accountability, and helping communities thrive for the long term.
Michael J. Novak created the PATScore™ (Property Asset Transparency Score) for community associations—the first standardized financial-risk signal for condo and HOA buyers, boards, and owners.
Industry context — 2025 data from the Foundations for Community Association Research (independent from our firm):
Annual Assessments Collected
Meet Our Team
Michael has worked in forensic and financial roles since 2003 and across the broader accounting and not-for-profit field since 1990. He created the PATScore™ (Property Asset Transparency Score) for community associations and has led high-profile engagements along Chicago's Lakefront, including the former John Hancock Center. He has delivered unchallenged expert testimony in critical legal disputes and specializes in association governance, accounting, and dispute resolution.
Christina spent 39 years as a legal specialist with a federal government agency and has been involved with community associations since 2003. She brings deep regulatory and legal-process experience to the firm's forensic and governance work.
Tatiana earned her Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in May 2024 and is a licensed Community Association Manager. She has been with Common Interest Advisors since May 2024, advising on property management and governance matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of community associations do you serve?
How do you uncover fraud or financial misconduct in an association?
What is a “sham reserve study”?
Do you provide expert testimony in legal disputes?
How are you different from typical HOA management companies or CPAs?
Are your services available nationwide?
Our Substack Newsletters
The vast majority of our newsletters focus on the ongoing story of the 175 East Delaware Place HOA—a reference case-study in HOA corruption, financial mismanagement, and governance failures. Follow regular episodes as we uncover new findings and discuss what this case means for communities everywhere.
Introducing PATScore™ — The Condo Risk Score
The first standardized financial-risk signal for condo and HOA buyers, boards, and owners. Here's how the PATScore™ works—and why a single number can flag trouble before it reaches your reserves.
Crisis in Condo Governance: The Financial Cover-up at 175 East Delaware Place
Inside our forensic investigation at the former John Hancock Center: hidden capital needs, questionable budgets, and the paper trail that exposed it.
The First Annual Worst Community Association Reserve Study Firm Award
The reserve study that buried $67.7 million in capital needs at 175 East Delaware—and what every board should learn from how it happened.
Introducing PATScore™ — The Condo Risk Score
The first standardized financial-risk signal for condo and HOA buyers, boards, and owners. Here's how the PATScore™ works—and why a single number can flag trouble before it reaches your reserves.
Crisis in Condo Governance: The Financial Cover-up at 175 East Delaware Place
Inside our forensic investigation at the former John Hancock Center: hidden capital needs, questionable budgets, and the paper trail that exposed it.
The First Annual Worst Community Association Reserve Study Firm Award
The reserve study that buried $67.7 million in capital needs at 175 East Delaware—and what every board should learn from how it happened.
