Accounting and Auditing Update (E1805169)

Mel Crystal, CPA, CGMA is a practitioner with over 40 years experience. He is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs since 1970 and has served on many committees throughout the years. Most recently he served on the Peer Review Committee from 1990 to 1997 and from June 2008 to the present; eleven terms on the New York State Society Professional Ethics Committee, five as an assistant chair from 1997 to 2008. He has presented the New York State Professional Ethics course as well as Peer Review performance courses.

An integral part of his practice includes technical support to the accounting profession on auditing and accounting matters as well as Peer Review preparations and consultations. Mr. Crystal has worked for international, regional and local CPA firms allowing him to relate to a wide audience. His article “Food for Thought” in the January 2005 CPA Journal has generated extensive discussion on the state of our profession. His letter to the Editor in the January 2011 CPA Journal addressed the need for transparency in the Peer Review process.

He has presented in excess of 1500 continuing professional education courses throughout the country since 1992, including many in-house programs.

He is a member of the AICPA, NYSSCPA, NJCPA and NCCPAP and Accountants Club of America.

Peter Larkin provides legal counsel and representation to accountants and accounting firms in connection with all aspects of their businesses. He is co-chair of Wilson Elser’s national Accountants practice. In addition to professional malpractice defense and commercial disputes, Peter’s practice encompasses regulatory investigations and proceedings, risk management, ethics proceedings, and transactional matters involving accounting firms. He also represents businesses and banking institutions in a wide array of commercial disputes.

Given his strong working knowledge of accounting principles and familiarity with the New York Office of the Professions, Peter regularly is called upon by accountants facing ethics complaints and the potential loss of license. Peter also is involved in such diverse areas as securities, tax and banking laws, RICO, ERISA, accounting standards, fraud investigations, employment disputes, post-employment restrictive covenants, purchases and sales of professional practices, partnership disputes and separations, and risk management and best practices for accounting and financial professionals. Peter’s effectiveness in these matters is built on his ability to not only translate the law for his clients but also fluently communicate the principles of the accounting profession to judges, juries and opposing counsel.

Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Peter was a court attorney and senior court attorney with the New York Appellate Division, Second Department. He earned his undergraduate degree in accounting.

John oversees the industry specific expertise and risk management for McGowanPRO’s accounting and financial clients. Mr. Raspante is the former Director of Compliance and Risk Management as well as the Director of Education for Graf Repetti & Co. LLP, Certified Public Accountants & Business Advisors. Prior to joining Graf Repetti, Mr. Raspante worked nine years for CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company, a provider of accountants’ professional liability insurance. Mr. Raspante’s primary responsibility at CAMICO was providing loss prevention services to the organization’s largest insured’s. Mr. Raspante is a frequent speaker within the accounting profession on issues relating to risk management and professional ethics. He presents regularly at different conferences for accounting firm associations and CPA State Societies. He is a published author and contributor for accounting firm periodicals such as Journal of Accountancy and Accounting Today.