NJCPA Convention & Expo (E2306010)

Ash is the head of Social Security planning at OneTeam Financial. With nearly thirty years of experience, he is one of the nation’s foremost experts on Social Security and oversees the development of Social Security claiming strategies to maximize retirement income benefits. Ash is the former president and founder of National Social Security Partners, LLC (NSSP). He has two certifications in Social Security planning: National Social Security AdvisorSM and Certified in Social Security Claiming Strategies (CSSCS). Ash was recognized with the “National Social Security Advisor of the Year” award in 2016 from the National Social Security Association. He obtained his Chartered Accounting degree (a Canadian CPA.) and Certified Financial PlannerTM designation. He then went on to obtain an MBA from Wharton Business School. Ash has been published in numerous newspapers and magazines.

Ron started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute — the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionals internationally — and a radio talk-show host on the Voice America show: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy. In addition, Ron has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored over twenty courses for them. He is also the author of seven best-selling books and has been named on Accounting Today’s 2001 to 2007, and 2011 to 2021, Top 100 Most Influential People in the profession; voted among the Top Ten Most Influential People in the profession in 2012—2021; selected as one of LinkedIn’s Influencers; inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018; and received the 2003 Award for Instructor Excellence from the California CPA Education Foundation. In addition, he is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society.

Jim has over 25 years of professional experience in advising clients in the areas of ASC 450 (fka FAS 5), reverse sales and use tax audits, audit defense and appeal, sales tax systems automation, negotiation of voluntary compliance agreements, transaction analysis, Sarbanes/Oxley requirements, Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement and sales/use/excise tax compliance services. He assists numerous clients with complex indirect tax issues in industries including pharmaceutical, technology, retail, financial services, utilities, hospitality, entertainment, defense contractors, telecommunications and manufacturing. He is a leading sales and use tax specialist and developed trusted relationships with New Jersey and New York state government officials. He is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs and the NJCPA as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Jim is a partner at WithumSmith+Brown, where he serves as director of firm technology and managing director of advisory services. He is a frequent speaker at many international accounting and trade associations, such as the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and state CPA societies, as well as industry technology organizations, incubators, accelerators and others on topics specifically related to various accounting, technology, practice management and advisory services. Jim is also global advisory and technology leader for HLB International. He is a past president of the NJCPA and past board and council member for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

Frank is an emeritus partner of WithumSmith+Brown, PC (Withum) with over 35 years of accounting and auditing experience. He is a licensed CPA in New York and New Jersey and has significant experience working with SEC registrants, small and large private entities in various industries, including hedge funds, private equity funds and finance companies. Frank is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and was a former member of the AICPA Peer Review Board. He is a past president of the NJCPA and currently chairs its Peer Review Executive Committee. Frank is a frequent lecturer on accounting and auditing and is a co-author of three accounting books.

Roosevelt is a senior investment strategist with AllianceBernstein’s Wealth Strategies Group. He is a member of the firm’s Private Client Investment Policy Group, which provides asset allocation, investment and risk management advice for high-net-worth clients, endowments and foundations. Roosevelt began his investment career at Bernstein in 2000 and re-joined the firm in 2019. He brings 20 years of experience in investment research and portfolio management with a focus on global fixed income, monetary policy, and data science. Prior to returning to Bernstein, Roosevelt was head of foreign exchange trading and strategy at MetLife, where he was a portfolio manager and conducted fundamental and quantitative global macroeconomic research. Previously, he was a senior fixed income strategist at U.S. Bank for retail and institutional clients and was a research analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His work has been featured in prominent media and economic research publications.

Alex is an audit partner in the Not-for-Profit and Health Care Practices of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP. He has eighteen years of experience in public accounting. His areas of specialty include audits of not-for-profit entities, health care entities and special needs clients, cost reporting as applicable to health care and not-for-profit entities, and single audits conducted in accordance with the Uniform Grant Guidance. Alex is also an adjunct professor of accounting at the City University of New York. He serves on a number of professional and academic affiliations and is a board member of the New York State Education Department State Board for Public Accountancy. He has authored articles on accounting, audit, tax and education and he has presented on both a professional and academic level.

Melissa is the founder and managing member of MD Advisory, a boutique forensic firm. She has an extensive background in forensic accounting, data analytics, and cash flow analyses, as well as in diagnosing and remediating business problems. Melissa is a member of several NJCPA interest groups, including the Cannabis Interest Group, the Student Loan Debt Task Force and the Emerging Leaders Council.

Dave is the founder of Futureforth.com. He is an author, corporate trainer, executive consultant, host of the NICE Podcast, and keynote speaker known as a communication connoisseur. Dave is the creator of the NICE Method. His acclaimed book, New Business Networking, explores online and offline tools, tips, and techniques to grow and nurture one's professional network by communicating - the nice way. He helps fast-growing tech companies reach their people through comprehensive communication workshops and presentations. Dave regularly works with brands like Google, FedEx, LinkedIn and UPS. He is an American Marketing Association award winner and has appeared in USA Today, Entrepreneur, Inc., Fortune, and Billboard Magazine. He has also been mentioned in multiple business communication books.

Nicole is a senior tax manager with Wiss 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 also teaches various continuing education courses for Surgent CPE and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). A valuable resource for "all things tax," she regularly assists clients with federal and state tax controversy matters. Nicole is an NJCPA Trustee and serves on its Content Advisory Board and Federal Taxation Interest Group. In 2019, she was awarded its “Women to Watch” Ovation Award and in 2022, she was awarded the "Impact" Ovation Award. For the third year in a row, Nicole was named to the NJBIZ Accounting Power 50 List, which accounts for the most influential men and women in accounting who keep New Jersey's businesses on track. In Nicole’s spare time, she enjoys staying active at the gym, volunteering at her local animal shelter, and is active in various charitable organizations, such as St. Jude.

Regina is president of the Garden State Initiative (GSI), and has held senior positions in both the private sector and public service. In 2008, Regina concluded a 30-year career as an officer at AT&T after holding leadership positions with expanding responsibility in product management, network operations, human resources and sales and marketing. Regina was honored to serve as Governor Chris Christie’s chief of staff from 2015 to 2016. Previously, she was the New Jersey State Treasurer’s chief of staff in 2010 and 2011 and served as the Governor's director of the Authorities Unit beginning in 2012. Concurrent with working at AT&T, Regina was first elected locally to the School Board of Education (2003-2007) and her home town’s Township Committee (2008-2012), serving as Deputy Mayor in 2010.

Jim is a shareholder at Kulzer & DiPadova, P.A. He is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court, is a member of the Bar of the State of New Jersey, and is a member of the Camden County Bar Association, the New Jersey Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Jim is a member of the tax sections of the NJBA and the ABA. In addition, he is a former president of the NJCPA, and has served as chairperson of the State Taxation Interest Group. He is a past president of the Southwest Jersey Chapter Board of Directors. Jim is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and serves on AICPA Council, its governing body. He is also a member of the New Jersey Tax and Fiscal Policy Commission and chaired the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Review Commission.

Melisa is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of accounting experience, Melisa designs and facilitates CPE courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. She supports essential professional development, audit level training and train the trainer efforts. Melisa is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. She serves on the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), American Institute of CPAs' (AICPA) Council, and the Virginia Society of CPAs' (VSCPA) Board of Directors. She was on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC) and is a past chair of the North Carolina Association of CPAs' (NCACPA) A&A committee. Melisa authors the AICPA’s State and Local Government Guide and is an SME for the Center for Plain English Accounting. She was a 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award recipient and a CPA Practice Advisor “40 under 40” in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She was a 2019 Rising Star by her regional National Association of Women Business Owners' (NAWBO) chapter and won the Don Farmer Award for technical content instruction.

Joe is an assurance senior at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), primarily serving not-for-profits and small businesses. He takes pride in understanding how he can help any organization reach their goals and continue to serve those in the community. Joe has contributed to New Jersey CPA magazine and for the NJCPA website. He is a member of the NJCPA Emerging Leaders Council and was a 2021 Emerging Leaders Ovation Award winner. Joe is also a member of the Finance Committee at The Salvation Army Morristown Chapter.

Jennifer is co-chair of Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s state and local tax practice. She represents companies and individuals in all aspects of state and local tax litigation, controversy, compliance and planning. She has extensive experience handling state and local tax matters involving corporate income taxes, franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, personal income taxes, sales and use taxes, business privilege taxes and real estate taxes.

Jeff is the vice president of government relations for the NJCPA. He works with the CEO and the Board of Trustees to create and implement advocacy initiatives that protect and promote the interests of the CPA profession, the business community and the public. Jeff monitors legislative and executive branch activity that impacts CPAs by writing position papers, developing grass roots membership activities to enhance lobbying efforts and raising money for the NJ-CPA-PAC. He is also a liaison to other pro-business groups like the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) to coordinate legislative strategies. Prior to joining the NJCPA 25 years ago, Jeff worked on several political campaigns, worked for former Governor Jim Florio and for Common Cause New York. He previously owned a lobbying and public affairs firm. Jeff belongs to Compassion and Choices, the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

John is the CEO of Board Advisory, a firm that assists public companies, or companies aspiring to be public, with corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting and financial strategies. He has more than 10 years of experience with three large public accounting firms and served as CFO of both public and private companies. John currently is on the boards of three public companies, serving as chairman of one company and audit committee chair of another. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Jeffrey heads his own consulting firm, Lieman Associates LLC, in Owings Mills, Maryland, where he provides consulting services, contractual assistance services and training to CPAs, their firms and their clients. He is recognized nationally as a lecturer for various accounting, auditing and technology topics and has been quoted in various trade journals. Since 2016, he has received the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award. Jeffrey's previous experience included serving as the chief financial examiner for the Maryland Insurance Administration and being a director for Ellin & Tucker, Chartered. He trained staff in many areas of accounting, administration and consulting. He also served as a senior manager and national trainer with KPMG in Baltimore, Maryland, where he developed training materials for staff and instructors. He was elected Chairman of the Year by the Maryland Association of CPAs for chairmanship of the Computer Resources Committee.

Gene is a columnist, author and owner of the Marks Group PC, a provider of technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. He writes daily for The Washington Post and weekly for Forbes, The Huffi Post, Inc Magazine, FOX Business, Entrepreneur.com and Philadelphia Magazine. He has written six books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. His most recent is The Manufacturer’s Book of Lists. Gene frequently appears on FOX News, MSNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg and CNBC discussing matters affecting the business community. Prior to starting the Marks Group PC, he spent nine years in the entrepreneurial services arm of KPMG in Philadelphia.

Don is the chief marketing officer of the NJCPA, responsible for setting the vision, strategy and direction for the organization’s marketing, communications and membership campaigns and for driving the success of a deep and broad swath of organizational initiatives. Functional areas of accountability include digital assets (web, social media, email), content and news distribution (including the organization’s flagship publication, New Jersey CPA), membership, media relations, public relations, next generation recruitment, executive communications and internal communications. He also oversees graphic design, market research, and advocacy and legislative communications. Don came to the NJCPA from the Craft & Hobby Association, where he was director of marketing and public relations.

Matthew is a Staff II Accountant at WithumSmith+Brown. He is in his second year in public accounting, specializing in accounting and auditing services. Matt has worked with 990s and is proficient in documentation and assessment of internal controls and risk assessment. He graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from Stockton University.

Jennie is the partnerships manager at Ignition, a client engagement and commerce platform for professional services businesses. She is responsible for engaging with and delivering Ignition content to accounting professionals through professional associations. With over 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Jennie is passionate about financial technology and helping accounting professionals find efficiencies across their practices. A self-proclaimed problem solver armed with SaaS, Jennie pushes mindsets to break through barriers and find a solution. Previously, she spent a number of years at Intuit in the Trainer Writer Network, where she created the Intuit Mentoring program to help her accounting peers adopt cloud technology. She also founded, and continues to operate, her own practice, Moore Details Inc., to help businesses optimize their accounting systems. Jennie is regarded as a global FinTech expert and accounting influencer, receiving national recognitions from HubDoc, Ignition, Alvara, Wagepoint Hero and more. She also holds certifications from Xero Advisor and Intuit Quickbooks Online (QBO).

Brad is an assurance principal at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). He has significant experience in financial reporting, tax compliance and planning for closely held businesses, SEC registrants, nonprofit organizations and strategic business planning, and in industries, such as real estate, construction, architectural and engineering, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Brad is a member of the AICPA and the NJCPA, and was a former NJCPA president. In addition, Brad has served as an adjunct professor of accounting at William Paterson University and the College of Saint Elizabeth.

Ed is a partner at WithumSmith+Brown and is the 2022/23 President-Elect of the NJCPA. He has more than 20 years of accounting, auditing and consulting experience for both public and private companies in the technology, life sciences, manufacturing, distribution, construction, government and service industries. Ed is a former inspection specialist with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). He has obtained certificates in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and is also certified in financial forensics. He is the Team Leader of Withum's International Accounting & Auditing Services Group, which includes IFRS implementation, convergence and reporting. He currently serves on the American Institute of CPAs' (AICPA) Technical Standards Subcommittee and formerly served as an Independence and Ethics Joint Trial board member. He is also a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He was one of the honorees of the 2008 “Forty Under 40” list by NJBIZ.

As the former president of the NBA's Washington Bullets (later renamed Washington Wizards), making her the first female president of a professional sports franchise, Susan is a pioneer in both sports and business. Originally an intern for both Washington Bullets and Washington Capitals, Susan joined Washington Sports and Entertainment in 1986 as a director of advertising for the Washington Bullets. In her first season handling off-court activities, the team experienced the largest ticket revenue increase in the history of an NBA franchise. The club also achieved the highest renewal rate of season tickets ever by the franchise, including the year following the 1977–78 Championship season. Susan helped attract over 21.2 million patrons at the Washington, DC-based Verizon Center. In 1991 she became president. She went on to earn her law degree from Georgetown University, where she also taught a sports business marketing class and was awarded the Adjunct Professor of the Year Award. She served as St. Joseph’s University’s first sports marketing professor and is currently a full-time senior instructor at the University of South Carolina. She also consults with The Sports and Entertainment Company (Sports-EntCo).

Parag is a tax attorney with the Patel Law Offices in Iselin. His practice concentration is in tax, business transactions and estate planning. He is a board certified estate planning law specialist, a board certified elder law attorney, and a frequent speaker on legal issues affecting tax, offshore tax planning and estate planning. Parag was named a New Jersey Super Lawyer by New Jersey Magazine for tax and estate planning. He has also received an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating System, which is the highest professional rating possible among lawyers. He is the 2011/12 chairman of the Tax Law Committee of American Bar Association’s GP Solo and Small Firm Division. Parag also serves as a part-time municipal court judge for Edison Township. He is a member of the New Jersey State, New York State, Middlesex County and American Bar Associations.

Debbie operates her own tax controversy practice, specializing in partnership and S corporation tax law as well as IRS audits and procedures. She has been successful petitioning and resolving tax issues under the jurisdiction of the United States Tax Court. She is proficient in Section 199A provisions and computations as well as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She prepares all types of tax returns and utilizes her forensic accounting skills for potential IRS criminal prosecution. Having spent more than 32 years at the IRS, Debbie retired from its Large Business and International Division, where she was a senior manager in the Flow-Through Issue Practice Group, which specialized in S corporation and partnership tax. She was the operations and technical assistant to the Deputy Commissioner International; the technical assistant to the Director of PFTG; a territory manager in the retail, food and pharmaceuticals industries; a team manager in the heavy manufacturing industry; and the IRC Section 263A Technical Advisor. Debbie taught accounting and taxation as an adjunct at Delaware State University, Wilmington College and Goldey-Beacom College. She has been a seminar presenter for over 24 years and a textbook author. She regularly receives the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.

With 20 years of experience in the Human Capital Management industry, Doug provides a seasoned and unique perspective of business and sales to the next generation of professionals. He has trained over 3,000 business consultants inclusive of new associates as well as delivered a wide array of content for seasoned veterans, executives and vice presidents. Doug has been a significant contributor to ADP’s accolades and awards in the arena of training and development. Recent accomplishments include ADP receiving the Gold Level Learning Elite Award. His unique approach to training, whether virtual or in a live environment, has helped him grow a legion of fans spanning the country. In 2018, he launched ADP’s first internal business unit spanning podcast, Genuinely Curious, which has now spawned no less than four other unique podcast adventures, focusing on all areas of the business. As part of the learning and development team, Doug gives 100 percent to each and every associate to provide skills and habits that will make them successful. He strives to be an agent of change.

John is the budget and finance writer with NJ Spotlight News and covers the annual New Jersey budget, the public-employee pension system, tax policy and more. He has received numerous honors and awards including most recently first-place recognition from the New Jersey Press Association for specialty writing in 2020. He has appeared as a guest on CNN, CBC, Fox, MSNBC and News 12 New Jersey, and now analyzes tax and budget issues on a regular basis for NJ Spotlight News' evening broadcasts. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from The College of New Jersey.

Charles is one of New Jersey’s foremost retirement planning experts, drawing upon his 25 years of industry experience to provide trusted counsel to clients and skilled leadership to INTAC Actuarial Services’ highly trained advisors. His career began at family-operated INTAC in 1994 as a pension consultant. Today, as INTAC’s managing partner, he spearheads the firm’s pension sales and marketing programs with an emphasis on delivering a high-touch, personalized customer experience. He proactively consults with clients and advisors on all forms of defined contribution and defined benefit plans throughout the planning process. He also sits on the TPA Advisory Boards for Nationwide, VOYA and Transamerica. Prior to joining INTAC, he was vice president of finance at Oxford Medical.

Jason is a senior manager at Withum in the State and Local Tax Practice in New York. He has over 10 years of experience, within State & Local Tax at large international accounting firms. As a specialist, he provides compliance, provision and consulting services for a wide array of clients within a mixed industry base, which includes manufacturing, bioscience, real estate and technology. His practice areas include Multi-State Income Tax Planning, Business Compliance, Nexus Considerations, Income Tax Accounting, Group Filings, State Apportionment, Personal Residency and Audit Defense. Jason is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is licensed as an Enrolled Agent by the Internal Revenue Service.

Jenna is a senior tax accountant at WilkinGuttenplan, focusing on the real estate industry and high-net-worth individuals, while also serving as a consultant for state and local taxes. She specializes in providing tax consulting, research and compliance services for her clients. She is member of her firm's WeGive committee which is geared towards their community services initiatives. Jenna was a 2022 NJCPA Ovation Award Winner for Women to Watch. She also serves on the NJCPA's Emerging Leaders Council and the Atlantic/Cape May Chapter Board.

Shaune is a partner at CohnReznick with 13 years of diverse experience in public accounting. He is a member of CohnReznick's Technology and Life Sciences Industry Practice and National Tax Practice and has a background in corporate, partnership and individual tax planning and compliance, including multi-state and international companies. In addition to general accounting, Shaune’s experience in working with small start-up entrepreneurs includes setting up accounting methods, standards and procedures, state registration and employment issues. Shaune has also worked closely with public entities and large public affiliated corporate groups, providing services that include corporate tax compliance, partnership tax compliance, sell-side due diligence for companies and shareholders, and ASC 740 work. Shaune has knowledge and experience in both inbound and outbound international tax issues. Prior to joining CohnReznick, Shaune worked for a local private accounting firm in Ocean County as well as for a West Coast-based accounting firm.

Aliza represents clients in a variety of state tax matters, including corporate income, franchise, sales and use, realty transfer and personal income taxes. Her experience from working in accounting firms, as in-house counsel and as an attorney handling complex state tax litigation provides her with a comprehensive perspective to handling state tax matters. Aliza assists clients with state tax audits, administrative appeals and, when necessary, litigation. She has represented clients in state tax controversy matters before the New Jersey Tax Court, New Jersey Appellate Division, New York Division of Tax Appeals and Tax Appeals Tribunal, New York Appellate Division, Pennsylvania Board of Appeals and Board of Finance and Revenue and Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board. Aliza also provides clients with advice regarding the state tax implications of their everyday business operations as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Duncan leverages his more than 40 years of experience in accounting, including public accounting, forensic accounting, consulting and audit and tax compliance, to deliver the high-touch, high-quality CAMICO experience. He works closely with the Loss Prevention Specialists to manage the department’s efforts to deliver policyholder service. Duncan's specialties are accounting and auditing and business valuation-related risk management. He advises policyholders through the CAMICO Loss Prevention Hotline, speaks to CPA groups and writes articles on a wide range of accounting risk management and ethics topics, such as complying with the AICPA’s Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, doubts about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, cybersecurity and serving clients in the cannabis industry. Duncan began his accounting career in 1979 as a staff accountant in the Washington, D.C. area and spent most of his public accounting career in California and Florida. He is accredited in business valuation and certified in financial forensics. A Certified Fraud Examiner, Duncan is an active member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Ed is a partner with the firm of Thomas, Zollars & Lynch, Ltd, in Phoenix, Arizona, and specializes in tax issues for closely held businesses and individuals. He has served on committees with the American Institute of CPAs' (AICPA) Tax Section and currently serves on the Arizona Society of CPAs' (ASCPA) legislative tax liaison committee. Ed has published tax podcasts on tax matters and is currently producing the weekly audio and video for the Current Federal Tax Developments podcast on current tax matters for Kaplan Financial Education and the related blog with regular tax updates throughout the week. Along with writing, editing and presenting courses for the past 15 years, Ed has written articles published in Practical Tax Strategies and The Tax Adviser. He is a frequent contributor to a number of online professional tax discussion groups, including the NJCPA Member Open Forum.