2000 NJCPA High School Scholarship Recipient

My Wife

I met my wife Liron, who is also a CPA, while in grad school at the Rutgers University Professional Accounting MBA program, which was the fifth year of my NJCPA scholarship. We came from very different backgrounds; she was a political science major that decided to reinvent herself after a year in the workforce and pursue a career in business, I was coming right from finishing my undergraduate degree in management information systems ready to wrap-up my academic career and break into the business world. We began as strangers, but eventually became quick friends and study partners (which, in fairness, mostly meant she studied hard and then shared her notes with me).

Before I knew it, we were taking trips into Manhattan for job interviews together and debating which firm was the right fit for us to start our careers. We both chose PricewaterhouseCoopers, her in New Jersey with a focus on pharmaceuticals, and me in New York in their real estate assurance department. We kept in touch over the next few hectic years, trying to schedule our annual staff training sessions and CPA review classes together. We could always count on one another to share our "war stories" of public accounting and find ways to laugh about it all.

Shortly after I left PwC, Li moved into Hoboken (just a five minute walk from my apartment) and that about sealed it. Once we lived in the same town we quickly moved from "work friends" to "more than friends" and never turned back. I am happy to report that we just recently celebrated our one-year anniversary with a trip to Bermuda, and are enjoying our "honeymoon" years. It's funny to think that we never would have met if it weren't for our common interest in accounting.

Who knew that pursuing a CPA license could lead to love?

Networking

One of the great parts about the NJCPA and the various student programs, in my opinion, is the opportunity it provides young professionals to meet other CPAs and develop their network. When I was fresh out of school, or for that matter in school, I was amazed at how much exposure I had to CPAs and CPA firms through my involvement in the Society. Now that I am a bit further down the road, I relish the opportunity to meet the next generation of CPAs and help them get started on their career. Whether it is through presentations at my old high school as part of the Career Preparedness program, or moderating a panel discussion at the annual Scholars Institute, I love to see the enthusiasm and perspectives all the new faces can bring to the profession.

One example that sticks with me is Ellyn Ultz, who I met at the NJCPA scholarship awards presentation in [2008]. We spoke only briefly, but I was impressed by how aggressively she was pursuing the 150 credit-hour requirement that I made note of her potential and filed her away as someone to remember. Fast forward a few years when Ellyn was looking for her first job and was interested in PwC. I immediately forwarded her resume to HR and told them she was on the "must-interview" list. Fortunately they took my advice, and currently count Ellyn as one of their highly-rated Senior Associates.

Of course, recommending someone for a job is one thing, while giving someone a job is something else entirely. I currently serve as the Controller of Capital Trust, Inc., and last year when we needed to find a top-notch Senior Accountant I immediately turned to my NJCPA rolodex (speaking metaphorically, of course). I put a call in to Dan Drake, a fellow scholarship recipient I met a few years ago at the Scholars Institute. I knew Dan had the right background we were looking for and the right attitude to be a strong member of our team. Plus, as any employer or manager will tell you, you cannot beat having a personal connection or reliable referral when it comes to a job candidate.

After the success we had hiring Dan, I look forward to the next opportunity to leverage my involvement with the Society and connect with another of its young CPAs.

Financial Advisor

We all know that CPAs are divided into two camps … tax and audit … or public and private … or Big Four and small/mid-sized firms. However you think of the CPA profession and your role in it, one of the most-important, if under-recognized roles CPAs play is that of a trusted advisor. I am not referring to providing advice to clients and consulting on business strategies, which are important to be sure, but rather I mean becoming an advisor to friends and family.

Starting with my college days and when I was just beginning my career, my friends and family knew that as a CPA I was a reliable source of financial advice and trustworthy as a confidant. Some of people’s most closely-guarded secrets are financial after all, and I am proud of the fact my friends are comfortable confiding in me. From basic budgeting questions and college graduates drowning in credit card debt, to retirement planning and real estate transactions, I have advised my friends and family on these sensitive issues and, I hope, helped provide guidance during these difficult economic times.

We all work to get paid, and appreciate our year-end bonus checks, but the satisfaction I get from putting my professional knowledge and experience to work helping the ones that I love? You just can’t put a price tag on that.