Accounting Educators Workshop (E1911628)

Nicole M. DeRosa is a tax partner with Wiss in Florham Park, NJ and has more than 15 years of public accounting experience, specializing in taxation for closely held businesses and individuals. In addition to working with clients in an array of industries, she was also an adjunct professor at Raritan Valley Community College, where she taught Tax Accounting for Individuals for four years.

Ms. DeRosa is a member of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and is active on the Content Advisory Board and Federal Taxation Interest Group; she is currently a member of the Board of Trustees. In 2019, she was awarded the “Women to Watch” Ovation Award, which applauds the growth and success of female members for their leadership, potential, contributions, and commitment to fostering the success of their colleagues. In 2022, she was awarded the “Impact” Ovation Award, which recognizes those who exhibit exemplary efforts and stellar achievement in advancing the interests and needs of New Jersey’s accounting profession through active engagement, leadership, and advocacy. Ms. DeRosa was also named to the 2022 edition of the NJ BIZ Power 50 List for the third year in a row; this list accounts for the most influential men and women in the accounting profession that helps to keep the states’ business on track. In Nicole’s spare time, she enjoys staying active at the gym, volunteering at the local animal shelter, and is active in various charitable organizations, such as St. Jude.

Ms. DeRosa is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, with degrees in accountancy and a Master of Science in Accountancy.

Richard Gallagher joined the AICPA Examinations team as Director of Content on December 1, 2014. Rich will be leading the Exam’s team of CPAs on the development and monitoring of the current Exam, as well as playing a key role in the Practice Analysis initiative, whose goal is to ensure that the next version of the CPA Exam assesses the knowledge and skills required of newly licensed CPAs. Rich has worked as a CPA for over 35 years. He retired from Ernst & Young’s New York based National Professional Practice Group in June 2014. In this role, Rich supported engagement teams and their clients in resolving complex accounting and auditing issues. He also served as Engagement Quality Review Partner on many of EYs New York and New Jersey based clients. Prior to National Office, Rich was a client handling partner based in the firm’s MetroPark New Jersey office. Rich also has been a frequent instructor focusing on new accounting pronouncements, evolving audit matters and IFRS. Rich began his career in Arthur Young’s Newark office in 1976. Rich attended Villanova University from 1972 through 1974 and graduated from St. Peter’s College in 1976. Rich also was an Adjunct Instructor in St. Peter’s Accountancy program in the 1980’s.

Jerry serves as an independent director and the chair of the Audit Committee for the Cohen & Steers Mutual Fund Complex. He is also a board member and Chairs the Audit Committee of inTEST Corporation (INTT; NYSE), a publicly traded technology company. Jerry also serves as the senior advisor for strategy and growth to the CEO and leadership team of Centri Consulting LLC, a professional services firm which specializes in providing financial reporting, internal controls, valuation, technical accounting research and CFO advisory services to clients in a variety of industries. Jerry is also an executive in residence at Rowan University, supporting the accounting program and coaching and mentoring students as they transition from academia to the business world. Previously, Jerry spent 36 years with KPMG where he was an audit partner serving a variety of clients and specializing in emerging growth companies. He led KPMG’s audit practice in Pennsylvania for five years and served as the firm’s Philadelphia Office Managing Partner for the last eight years of his career. He is a member of the NJCPA and serves on its Strategic Planning Committee. He is the author of Advice for a Successful Career in the Accounting Profession: How to Make Your Assets Greatly Exceed Your Liabilities.

Ralph is the CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs. He was appointed to AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and the AICPA Foundation Board. Ralph is a former national and chapter president of the National Association of Black Accountants, was chair of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s State Society Relations Committee and is a member of the accounting advisory boards of Lehigh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Montclair State, Felician and Thomas Edison universities and Middlesex County College. In January 2018, he was invited by Senate President Steve Sweeney to join his bipartisan Economic and Fiscal Policy Working Group. Additionally, Ralph was selected for the last eight years by Accounting Today as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.”