Taking Aim at Safety

Bianco heard a lot of talk about further restricting gun owners' rights. He thought it was time to exercise those rights before it became too late.

Frank Bianco, CPA, had a couple of epiphanies at the beginning of the new millennium: His accounting career took a turn toward the health care sector, and he developed an interest in firearms — more on that later. Accounting first appealed to Bianco while he was in high school. "I had a teacher who made accounting more interesting, he took it beyond just bookkeeping."

After graduating from Rutgers in 1987 with a B.S. in accounting, Bianco worked for a variety of electronic and consumer product companies and later went into the health care sector. So, why was public accounting’s loss industry's gain? "I like a hands-on focus on a single business," notes Bianco. "Being a decision maker and contributing directly to business outcomes are exciting to me."

Bianco studied for the CPA Exam while commuting on the train to Manhattan for work. "The CPA designation sends a clear message that you are an expert and a professional," comments Bianco.

Bianco heard a lot of talk during the 2000 presidential election about further restricting gun owners' rights. He thought it was time to exercise those rights before it became too late. With the guidance of his father-in-law, who is a Certified NRA Instructor, Bianco purchased a Ruger GP100 revolver. "In order to use this weapon safely, I thought it was important to know as much as possible and be as proficient as possible," says Bianco. He read at length and practiced at the shooting range. "People started coming up to me and asking questions," adds Bianco. "So, I’ve been teaching people for 10 years and have been a Range Safety Officer and a Certified NRA Instructor since 2011."

Though he doesn't compete in official events, Bianco can shoot a three-inch grouping at 25 yards. "I’m really more interested in the teaching aspect than the marksmanship aspect," notes Bianco. One area where Bianco would welcome more government intervention is requiring mandatory training for first time buyers of firearms.

Bianco is a member of the Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club. "It has approximately 500 members who have different interests, including marksmanship, defense and hunting. You'd be surprised at how many accounting and finance professionals are among our ranks," says Bianco.

How does Bianco's hobby complement his profession? "They both gravitate toward precision and accuracy," says Bianco. "You need to put in the time to get the right results."