2003 NJCPA College Scholarship Recipient

I moved to the United States at the age of 18, when I left my family and home country of Hungary to attend college in New Jersey. I chose to pursue accounting because it was something that came easy to me even though I had not yet mastered the English language.

I began my studies at Bergen Community College. After earning my associate's degree, I transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). During my junior year, my professor nominated me for the NJCPA scholarship. I interviewed for the scholarship and was delighted to find out that I was selected as a scholarship recipient. Thanks to the NJCPA scholarship, I was able to graduate with minimal student loans and complete FDU's 150-credit program and complete my master's degree in just one semester.

After I graduated in 2003, I took a job with JH Cohn (now CohnReznick LLP) in Roseland where, as an audit manager and member of the manufacturing and distribution Industry practice group, I work on audits of publicly traded and private companies and employee benefit plans. One of the things I enjoy most about my job is it allows me to meet and interact with a variety of people.

A few years after receiving the scholarship and starting my professional career, I became actively involved with the NJCPA. I wanted to give back and stay connected with the organization that helped affirm and support my goal of becoming a CPA. Today, I am a member of the NJCPA Young CPAs Council as well as the NJCPA Student Programs and Scholarship Committee. Additionally, I have the privilege of mentoring an NJCPA high school scholarship recipient, which gives me the opportunity to encourage a student who is on their way to becoming a CPA just like my professors did for me. I enjoy being a part of their journey as they prepare to enter the accounting profession.