Governmental Accounting & Auditing Conference (E2006160)

John D'Amico, CPA, is a Partner within the Professional Standards Group at Marks Paneth LLP, which is responsible for monitoring quality control in the firm as mandated by professional standards. He specializes in pre-issuance reviews and inspections of nonprofit organizations, governments and Single Audits. Mr. D’Amico also provides consultation on accounting and attestation matters and tests and monitors the firm's quality review policies and procedures. He teaches continuing education classes for the firm and on behalf of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) nationally.

As a sought-out thought leader in his areas of expertise, Mr. D'Amico has authored numerous articles pertaining to nonprofit accounting/auditing, governmental auditing standards and Uniform Guidance. He frequently leads training seminars for his clients and is an instructor for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He has presented at the annual Nonprofit Conferences of the New York State Society of CPAs; the New Jersey Society of CPAs; and the Connecticut Society of CPAs; as well as the annual Governmental Conferences of the Connecticut Society of CPAs and the Michigan Society of CPAs.

In addition to his professional activities, Mr. D’Amico is a dedicated volunteer who regularly donates his time to charitable organizations. He currently serves on several nonprofit boards of directors in a variety of capacities.

Patricia Fede, CPA, is a Senior Director in Marks Paneth’s Professional Standards Group, which is responsible for monitoring and upholding the firm’s quality control procedures as mandated by industry standards. In this role, she executes pre-issuance reviews of attest engagements and trains the firm’s attest teams, to ensure they maintain the most stringent levels of professionalism in their client engagements. She is skilled at researching complex accounting and auditing questions and assisting with strategic solutions.

Ms. Fede’s career and experience at both national and regional firms span more than two decades, with specialties in broker-dealer audits, employee benefit plans, real estate and nonprofit entities. She is an active member of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) and presents regularly on accounting and auditing topics as well as practical applications of new rules.

Beginning her career as an audit manager with a global accounting firm, Ms. Fede has also worked for financial services organizations in quality control, corporate reporting and internal audit. Prior to joining Marks Paneth, she was a Director in the Quality Review department of another nationally ranked Mid-Atlantic accounting firm. She is based out of Marks Paneth’s New Jersey office.

Jacqueline Grama is a CPA, licensed in New Jersey and holds a New Jersey School Business Administrator Certificate. She began her career in 1987 at Arthur Young’s Metropark Office performing audits of state and local government agencies in New Jersey. In 1999, she joined the Department of Education’s Office of Fiscal Standards to develop and implement fiscal policy for the newly established Charter School Program. She currently works in the Office of Fiscal Policy and Planning and is primarily responsible for the development and administration of fiscal policy guiding school districts and for the related provision of technical assistance. She also administers the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) in conjunction with the Departments of the Treasury and Human Services. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Rider University in 1987 and her Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University in 2002. Jacqueline is also an active member of the Association of Government Accountants.

Hollis Hanson-Pollock, CPA, is an associate practice fellow with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). She is currently working on GASB projects related to revenue and expense recognition and other pre-agenda research. Previously, she worked on Statement No. 92, Omnibus 2020, and the implementation guide for Statement No. 87, Leases, and led the GASB’s project on Replacement of Interbank Offered Rates. Outside of her two-year fellowship with the GASB, she is a manager at Crowe LLP, where she has focused on providing audit and consulting services to municipalities, community colleges, school districts, and transportation agencies. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society and is a licensed CPA in the state of Illinois.

Outgoing and charismatic, Chris Mangano thrives in addressing an audience. With over 30 years of experience in the IT realm, Chris brings his industry to life. “Striving for progress, not perfection” is Chris’s motto and how he educates his clients and peers. He enjoys taking a non-traditional approach with both his clients and prospective clients by holding Private Lunch Workshops as well as going out and about presenting on relevant cyber security, risk and compliance topics for various organizations and conferences. As Vice President of Mercadien Technologies, Chris works diligently to develop these presentations to educate companies with the most up-to-date information on cyber risks, preventions and services he and his team provide.

It’s reassuring to know that the person educating you has been in your shoes. As a former business principal, Chris understands the uncertainty his clients face. He managed sales, marketing and operations for an IT company he co-founded and ran for ten years. Later, he became an advisor to help others grow their organizations and determine risks. Chris utilizes his past experience to assist his clients in navigating the uncertainty in areas such as cybersecurity, risk management, disaster recovery, and network design and implementation. Clients turn to Chris when they want an expert who has experienced these issues first hand and is familiar with the nuances of each area.

Chris is motivated by building relationships. He will educate you on the topics at hand, while continuing to act as a sounding board. He assists his clients in determining their risks and vulnerabilities, then develops practical recommendations that meet operational goals aligned with a client’s budget. Chris will be there from start to finish for whatever his clients need.

Phil Marciano, CPA, is a shareholder with Mayer Hoffman McCann CPAs (“MHM”) (the CPA firm associated with CBIZ). He specializes in audits of governments and nonprofit organizations, including federal single audits performed under the Uniform Guidance (formerly OMB A-133) audits, as well as employee benefit plan audits. Prior to joining MHM, Mr. Marciano gained several years’ experience with a mid-sized CPA firm on Long Island, providing accounting and auditing services to his clients within the government, education, and nonprofit arenas. He has led training seminars for his clients and staff, as well as for several professional organizations, on various subjects including governmental and nonprofit accounting/auditing. Mr. Marciano is a member of the AICPA and the New York State Society of CPAs and is a member of the Society’s Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee and the Not for Profit Accounting and Auditing Committee. Mr. Marciano also holds a certification issued by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), as a Certified Government Financial Manager.

Montu Patel is a Planning Associate in the Office of Fiscal Policy and Planning. He joined the Department of Education in 2015 and is primarily responsible for the development and administration of fiscal policy guiding school districts and for the related provision of technical assistance. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Rutgers University in 2006. He holds a CPA license in New Jersey. Prior to working with the Department of Education, his experience includes the audits of profit and not-for-profit organizations.

John Pizzuro has 24 years, experience from a State Police Agency and in that role is The Commander of a Regional Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. John Pizzuro currently oversees 70 law enforcement agencies comprised of over 200 people. John’s unique approach to leadership and partnerships has increased productivity in his task force by 100% over the last three years. John Pizzuro has been able to infuse neuroscience, research, with real world experience. His work in neuro science has provided him with a unique perspective on human behavior, body language and other cognitive behavior.
John Pizzuro has extensive experience in interviewing suspects, witnesses and victims during the course of numerous investigations. His approach to these interviews and countless personal interactions combined with the use of Neuro Linguistic Programming Techniques has provided him with the ability to recognize non-verbal cues and gain more cooperation and information.
John Pizzuro is certified as a Master Neuro Linguistic Practitioner and has an M.A. in Human Resource Development and Training. He currently serves on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Public Awareness and Education Committee and is a Co-Facilitator for a working group for the National Children’s Alliance. He frequently speaks to organizations and audiences on the stress that impacts the law enforcement community. John Pizzuro teaches about personal development, leadership, technology, communication and high impact performance. He inspires, motivates, and empowers audiences to transform their lives by altering their thinking.