IssuesWatch Live: Professional Issues Update (E2412004)

Nicole M. DeRosa is a New Jersey-based CPA with over 15 years of experience 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.

Theresa is the chief operating officer of the NJCPA. She oversees the management of all programs that support the organization's strategic plan, mission and objectives. Theresa provides overall staff supervision as they work to achieve the organization's goals and objectives. She also manages all aspects of budgeting and resource requirements. Theresa has been with the organization for more than 15 years. Prior to her role as COO, Theresa worked with NJCPA chapters, committees and interest groups as director of member engagement.

Aiysha (AJ) Johnson, MA, IOM, is CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA). Prior to joining the NJCPA in 2023, Johnson was executive director of BKR International’s Americas Region, where she was responsible for overseeing the implementation of all strategic efforts for BKR accounting and business advisory member firms in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to serving the accounting profession, she worked for a range of associations including Vizient, the nation’s largest healthcare performance improvement company, where she supported members with complex benchmarking needs. Johnson has more than 20 years of wide-ranging global experience working for nonprofits and professional and trade associations. She was elected to the boards of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) in 2024 and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She was a member of BKR’s Center of Excellence Advisory Board and is on the boards of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Together for Youth and Junior Achievement of New Jersey. In addition, she was recognized among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today (2023) and on the NJBIZ Power 100 list (2024) and has received numerous honors and awards including being named No. 1 on NJBIZ’s Accounting Power 50 list in 2023 and 2024 and one of its 2023 People to Watch in Finance. She was also named one of ROI-NJ’s ROI Influencers: People of Color 2023. She served on the Alumni Board of the University of Chicago (2021-2023), where she graduated with a Master’s in Administration and Policy. She also completed the Senior Management Program in Business Management at University of Chicago/IE School of Business and holds a certificate in Management Accounting for Leaders. She holds a B.S. from Western Illinois University. Johnson enjoys entrepreneurship, the arts, volunteering, writing, reading and travel. She is also a food and wine enthusiast and a member of Chaine des Rotisseurs. She resides in Hudson County.

Carla is the managing partner of AAFCPAs, a leading 350-person CPA and consulting firm in New England, and chair of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Named among the Most Powerful Women in Accounting from 2020 to 2024 by AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor Magazine, her leadership is noted for its bold innovation and commitment to mission-driven growth. She has spearheaded AAFCPAs' diversification into areas like wealth management, IT & cybersecurity, and data analytics, always centering on client needs. Carla initiated the firm’s Women’s Opportunity Network in 2011, its DEIB initiative in 2017, the Innovation Lab and Changemaker Challenge in 2018, and the Automation Initiative in 2021. She also started the Zip2CPA and E3 Intern Accelerator Programs in 2022 to foster new talent in the field. Dedicated to mentoring and nonprofit support, Carla's authentic leadership and dedication to volunteerism inspire sustainable growth and excellence.

Marita was appointed the acting director of the New Jersey Division of Taxation, effective Sept. 25, 2023. She had been a deputy director since 2017 and started at the Treasury Department in 1987 as a technical assistant. She steps into her new role as the tax division takes on lawmakers’ overhaul of New Jersey’s corporate tax system and creation of StayNJ, a property tax relief program for senior citizens. Her goals include improving the customer experience, facilitating tax education with the public and engaging with employees.

June is a principal at WilkinGuttenplan and is the president of the NJCPA for the 2024/25 term. She has been a member of the NJCPA since 1995 and has served in a variety of capacities, including the Peer Review Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Volunteer Relations Committee, and was chair of the NJ-CPA-PAC Board of Trustees, chair of the Committee Operations Committee and vice leader of the Business Valuation, Forensic & Litigation Services Interest Group. She is also an active participant in the Accounting & Auditing Standards and Nonprofit interest groups. Before WilkinGuttenplan, June was the managing member of zbt Certified Public Accounting & Consulting, LLC. She is a former treasurer of Garwood Municipal Library; a recipient of NJCPA’s Volunteer Award in 2018 and its Women to Watch Award in 2019; one of New Jersey Monthly’s Leading Women in 2015 and one of NJBIZ Accounting Power 50 from 2020 to 2022.