New Jersey’s CPA profession owes a debt of gratitude to Assemblyman Sterley Stanley for introducing and taking the lead on the passing bill that provides an additional pathway to CPA licensure. It never would have happened without his tireless efforts! And his work on behalf of the profession continues this year as he has introduced a bill that designates accounting as a STEM subject for purposes of state aid.
So, let’s meet the lawmaker behind one of the most important NJCPA legislative victories in decades. Assemblyman Stanley represents the 18th district, which includes East Brunswick, Edison, Highland Park, Metuchen, Milltown, South Plainfield and South River. He is the first Asian American to represent District 18 — a district with one of the highest concentrations of Asian Americans in New Jersey. He serves as the Assembly Deputy Parliamentarian and was Chair of the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.
Born in Karnataka, India, he emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, as a child. After high school, Stanley eventually relocated to East Brunswick, where he has lived for more than two decades with his family.
Stanley works in the insurance and financial services sector — including roles as an insurance broker, mortgage loan officer and professional in financial services. He works with many CPAs in his business ventures, making him familiar with the profession and the perfect lawmaker to lead the charge on our issues.
When discussing his passion for advocating for the CPA profession, he said, “As a lifelong financial services professional, I have seen first-hand how CPAs guide our communities towards financial wellbeing that is crucial for making the American dream a reality.”
“As legislators, it is imperative that we live up to our responsibility as policy makers to ensure that the professional needs of CPAs continue to be met so they can continue guiding our communities and our families to a brighter and more sustainable financial future, which is why I am incredibly grateful to have been able to work closely with the New Jersey Society of CPAs on this incredible piece of legislation,” he added. “AJ Johnson, Jeff Kaszerman and the entire team over at NJCPA were an invaluable resource to me and my staff in making sure we crafted legislation that comprehensively addressed the issues at hand and we are lucky to have them advocating for our state’s CPAs.”
In addition to his role in working to pass pro-CPA and business-friendly issues, Stanley is also proud of his role in passing the following laws:
- Provided free cancer screenings for firefighters
- Enacted once-in-a-generation reform of Medical and Pharmaceutical Prior Authorization
- Reformed New Jersey’s criminal code to hold home burglars and juveniles who would commit crimes accountable
- Created more legal protections for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking
The NJCPA looks forward to working with Assemblyman Stanley on future legislation.