Annual Tax Seminar (E1711829)

Melanie started her own tax practice, Abacus Financial Services, LLC in 2006, providing tax planning and impeccable customer service to individuals and businesses.  From 2011 to 2017 she also worked as a Tax Controversy Specialist at E. Martin Davidoff, Attorney at Law.  There, she negotiated with the IRS and various state and local tax agencies in collection matters and audits; and secured the release of levies, liens, and judgments against Taxpayers.  Melanie also develops and presents continuing education seminars for other CPAs on best practices in representing clients.

Melanie worked as a Financial Adviser with MetLife, where she provided clients with a financial needs analysis and recommend and implemented appropriate solutions to meet their goals.  By guiding financial decisions based on each client’s needs, she was able to recommend and execute step-by-step strategic and tactical plans to meet client objectives.  In addition to developing informative presentations to potential clients and strengthening client relationships, she also provided financial education seminars in the community.

Melanie began her CPA career as an Auditor for Deloitte & Touche.  Shen then worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for Johnson & Johnson, where she coordinated and led worldwide consolidations of financial statements from 16 affiliates.  

Melanie was a recipient of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (“NJCPA”) 2016 Women of Note Award.  As an active member of this group, she is currently serving on the Board of Trustees.  She has also served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director of the Middlesex / Somerset Chapter of NJCPA.  

She is very involved in community service projects, especially those focusing on education and development.  She has volunteered her time at the News 12 New Jersey Tax Help Hotline, where she answered viewers’ call-in tax questions.  At the Asbury Park Press Taxpayer Assistance Clinic, Melanie met in-person with taxpayers to provide guidance, and she also provided free tax preparation for low-income individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  She has also presented to high school students on career opportunities for CPAs.

As the Donations Coordinator for Every Day Angels Foundation, a national nonprofit that promotes volunteerism at the grassroots level, Melanie assisted coat and blanket drive organizers across the country identify organizations that will distribute the items directly to those in need in their local communities.  

Melanie graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University with a double major in Accounting and Criminal Justice.  In her spare time, Melanie enjoys traveling, concerts, reading, and spending time outdoors with such activities as hiking and camping. 

Jeffrey Jacobs is a tax attorney, based in Westport, Connecticut, providing tax counsel to individuals and professional practices. In addition to his monthly webinar commentary on Surgent's "Monthly Tax Update," Jeff is the dean of tax training at a major accounting firm. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Pace University and is a frequent contributor of tax-related articles to scholarly and popular journals. Jeff earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He earned a law degree from Pace University, where he was elected to Law Review. A member of the New York State Society of CPAs as well as the American Bar Association's Section of Taxation, Jeff's biography is included in Who's Who in America.