IssuesWatch Live: Professional Issues Update (E2312684)

Nicole is the director of tax  with SKC & Co, CPAs LLC  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. Nicole is a member of the NJCPA and is the leader of the Emerging Leaders Council. She is also active on the Content Advisory Board, Federal Taxation Interest Group and Emerging Leaders Interest Group. In 2015, she was awarded “30 Under 30” by the NJCPA, which recognizes young professionals who are making a name for themselves in the New Jersey accounting landscape. 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. Most recently, Nicole was named to the 2020 edition of NJBIZ’s Power 50 List which 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 teaches Zumba Fitness and is active in various charitable organizations, such as St. Jude's and the American Heart Association. She is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, with degrees in Accountancy and 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) is the CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA). Previously, she 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, AJ worked for a range of associations including Vizient, the nation’s largest healthcare performance improvement company, where she supported members with complex benchmarking needs. She has more than 20 years of wide-ranging global experience working for nonprofits and professional and trade associations. AJ 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 2024), named on the NJBIZ Power 100 and Accounting Power 50 lists (2023 and 2024), and cited as one of its 2023 People to Watch in Finance. She was also named to ROI-NJ’s ROI Influencers: Accounting Power List (2024), its Top 50 Women in Business (2024) and its 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.

Ed is a partner at WithumSmith+Brown and is the 2023/24 President 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.

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.