A CPA and His HOG

Perhaps many of us who work in offices all day have a heightened appreciation of the outdoors. Such is the case for James A. Kruper, CPA. First, the office part …

Kruper knew during his days at Linden High School that he would major in accounting at college. "I have a natural ability with numbers," says Kruper. "In high school, I tested very well in math and cognitive thinking. So I decided to pursue a career that played to my strengths."

After graduating from Seton Hall in 1984 with a B.S. in accounting, Kruper worked for a few medium-sized public accounting firms. In 1996, he joined what is today Levine Jacobs & Company LLC. "I started as a senior accountant and made partner in 2004," notes Kruper. "My focus is on certified audits and technical reviewing of financial statements."

Kruper reflects on his decision to make public accounting his path: "I like the variety and flexibility it offers. It's never boring and you never know what'll happen tomorrow. In public, our advice is always needed."

In 1989, Kruper made another career-altering decision — to obtain the CPA designation. "I wanted to earn as much as I could, for a better quality of life for my family and me," he comments. "It's a necessary credential for advancement, that's even more true today."

Within months of passing the CPA Exam, Kruper joined the New Jersey Society of CPAs. "Aside from the privilege and prestige of joining the Society," says Kruper, "there's the benefit of having others in the profession with whom to discuss issues as well as the CPE and networking opportunities."

Kruper lives in Garwood with his wife Frances. His three kids (Alexa, Tarra and James) are grown and out on their own. James isn’t too far away, since he also works at Levine Jacobs. For relaxation, Kruper likes golfing, fixing things around the house, and he recently got into clay shooting. He's also an active member of the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department. "Garwood’s a pretty quiet town," notes Kruper. "Thankfully, fires are rather infrequent."

… And now for the outdoors part. In 1999, a friend of Kruper's had gotten a motorcycle. "I had always wanted one and it seemed like the right time," says Kruper. He first took a New Jersey safety course and got the required motorcycle endorsement on his license. "In October, I went to Liberty Harley-Davidson in Rahway and purchased a 2000 Harley- Davidson Sportster 1200 Standard."

While at Liberty Harley-Davidson, Kruper noticed a flyer for the Liberty Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). "I thought joining would be a good way to meet like-minded people, plus I thought it would be more fun to ride with others," comments Kruper.

The HOG chapter takes mostly daytrips on the weekends to places throughout New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Kruper has ridden with the club to Niagara Falls, and goes annually to Wildwood for the "Roar to the Shore" rally. Kruper has also gone on some interesting road trips outside of the group. "A couple of friends and I took the scenic route down to Florida," he recalls. And in 2005, Kruper and a Levine Jacobs partner, Robert Blackwell, CPA, flew to Dallas to purchase a couple of barely used Police Road King Harleys and then drove them back to New Jersey. "I'm a 'buy American' kind of guy," says Kruper. "All of the cars in my family are American made."

In 2003, Kruper was asked to become the membership officer for the Liberty Chapter of HOG. One aspect of the job is helping at the group's annual holiday toy run. "Each November, about 600 of us ride from Rahway to Robert Wood Johnson Children's Hospital in New Brunswick," says Kruper. The group rides along Route 27, complete with police escort and a bevy of spectators. "We bring toys for the kids and spend some time with them, which RWJ really appreciates. The cookies and hot chocolate they provide us are a nice touch. Afterward, we have a celebratory dinner at the American Legion in Rahway. The charity ride has gotten a lot of press coverage, and it’s really great to be a part of that event."