Knocked Down, But Never Out

Vijay A. Sammy, CPA, has never understood the meaning of the word no. It's a good thing, too, or he would not be a CPA today. Growing up in the villages of Guyana, Vijay learned early on to put his trust in his mother, grandmother and God.

Those beliefs would come in handy throughout his life, but particularly after a car crashed into him a day before leaving for the U.S. at age 18, injuring his leg and setting him back months. When Vijay eventually entered the U.S. at age 19, he had immense challenges being on his own, paying for college and finding jobs. But those struggles soon became strengths as he achieved his bachelor s degree in accounting from New Jersey City University.

Having a natural aptitude for school (making the highest grades in his British advance exams) and having already worked in his home country as an external auditor with Touche Ross (a Big Eight accounting firm), Vijay focused on being a CPA in the U.S. "I was ready for the next level and the U.S. was my next stop," explains Vijay. "I had a God-given dream to be a CPA, run my own business and make my contri bution to society."

Living His Ideals

In 2006, he founded Vijay Sammy CPA, LLC, based in Mendham, which specializes in fractional CFO services, business consulting, tax preparation, bookkeeping/accounting, payroll and tax resolution services. But owning a practice was not enough. It was my goal to simultaneously set in motion a vehicle of change that will grow as I grow my own CPA practice, he explains. Wanting to give back, Vijay, and his wife, Sherry, founded a 501(c)(3) charity in 2011 called Hope for Family Inc., which provides financial literacy for young adults as well as the underprivileged.

"I conduct Zoom calls with young adults around the world especially in the U.S., Caribbean and South America speaking on financial literacy and having a purpose in life. I connect via collaboration with local churches and community groups," says Vijay, a proud father of four adult children: Alex, 31, who is a senior auditor at a top accounting firm; Mellisa, 23, who is in law school; Angelica, 23, who is on her way to being a physician s assistant; and Aaron, 18, who wants to be an engineer and is applying to colleges.

Paying it Forward

His service mentality is also evident at the NJCPA, where Vijay is president of the newly formed North Jersey Tri-County Chapter for the 2025/26 term and served for several years in the former Morris/Sussex Chapter. He actively participates in the NJCPA career awareness program, speaking to high school students about the accounting profession, and has been a member of several NJCPA interest groups.

Vijay hopes his story inspires young accounting professionals to never give up and pursue their dreams to become CPAs and wherever else their license takes them. It is my strong conviction that in order for the next generation of young accounting professionals to succeed, they need to connect and train with the previous or older CPAs who can pass along valuable knowledge, work ethics and mindset, he notes.

"The accounting profession was good for me, and it can be for others also. I am a man of color and a migrant and if I can do it, anyone can do it. They only have to put their mind to it, follow their dreams and the path they were born to do," he adds. "I am grateful for the many opportunities I got from many people in this great country. I found that if you give love, you get love."

Though his days are busy with his practice and family, the once-hospitalized COVID-19 survivor still has more to give. "I feel this is only the beginning as I have lots to offer my community and profession."