Accounting & Auditing Standards Interest Group Meeting & Technical Session (E2010238)

Laura Crowley is a Partner in *Citrin Cooperman’s New Jersey office, focusing on serving the needs of middle market business leaders by learning about their business aspirations and translating them into prudent actionable recommendations. Laura excels at understanding and unraveling complex financial accounting and reporting matters, and the business needs that impact them. She brings her extensive network of professionals to solve her client’s biggest challenges with impactful results. Laura is also a partner in the firm's Quality Control Department helping to ensure that each of Citrin Cooperman's clients receive the highest level of attention.

Laura mentors, coaches, and develops the next generation of internal and external accounting professionals. Her clients are primarily in the financial services, manufacturing and distribution, and restaurant and hospitality industries. Laura is passionate about ensuring that the future of the firm and the profession provide for equal opportunity and fairness in the workplace. She is the winner of NJCPA's Ovation Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award (2021), Volunteer Award (2018), and Women of Note (2016), among others.

*“Citrin Cooperman” is the brand under which Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm, and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC serve clients’ business needs. The two firms operate as separate legal entities in an alternative practice structure.

Susan Firriolo, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CISA, is the owner of Tax Correspondence Service, Inc. She is the incoming leader of the Technology Work Group for the NJCPA Accounting & Auditing Standards Interest Group. She is also a member of several other NJCPA interest groups, including the Emerging Technologies Interest Group (#NJCPATech) and the Federal Taxation Interest Group. She can be reached at susan@tacs4it.com.

Michael Gilchrist, CPA, is a senior manager at Marcum, LLP servicing closely held businesses and their owners. He manages the firms' employee benefit plan audits. With over thirty years of diverse experience in public accounting and private industry, he is able to provide clients with comprehensive and expert client service. Michael serves on the NJCPA Accounting and Auditing Interest Group as the Employee Benefit Plan Subcommittee Chairman. He is involved with many community organizations and is a graduate of Seton Hall University.

Michael is a member of the firm at Smolin, Lupin & Co and is responsible for quality control of the firm's Audit and Accounting practice. As a licensed CPA in New Jersey and New York, he assists clients with their annual audit requirements in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, life sciences, construction, real estate, broadcasting, retail, restaurants, apparel, publishing, software, technology and professional services. He has practiced public accounting for more than 25 years and also served private clients, assisting with audits of employee benefit plans, including 401ks, 403bs, 11Ks, and health and welfare benefit plans. He has been a speaker on employee benefit plans and had presented on national webcasts, at seminars and at continuing professional education (CPE) courses. In addition, he has written articles on various employee benefit plan topics. Michael is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the NJCPA.

Jay is a partner at Prager Metis, a member of Prager Metis International Group. He has over 30 years of experience in the accounting profession, servicing family businesses and manufacturing, advertising, public relations and wholesale and distribution clients with accounting, audit, and advisory services. Jay has particular expertise in all matters related to mergers and acquisitions, such as financial due diligence and budgeting for businesses. He helps provide his clients with peace of mind, often acting as a sounding board or confidant, and ensures that they achieve their goals, financial and otherwise. Jay is a noted presenter. Prior to joining Prager Metis, he was a member of LFL Veritas LLC. Jay is a member of the NJCPA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

June is a principal at WilkinGuttenplan and is the president-elect of the NJCPA for the 2024/25 term. She has been a member of the NJCPA since 1995 and has served in a variety of capacities, including the Peer Review Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Volunteer Relations Committee, and was chair of the NJ-CPA-PAC Board of Trustees, chair of the Committee Operations Committee and vice leader of the Business Valuation, Forensic & Litigation Services Interest Group. She is also an active participant in the Accounting & Auditing Standards and Nonprofit interest groups. Before WilkinGuttenplan, June was the managing member of zbt Certified Public Accounting & Consulting, LLC. She is a former treasurer of Garwood Municipal Library; a recipient of NJCPA’s Volunteer Award in 2018 and its Women to Watch Award in 2019; one of New Jersey Monthly’s Leading Women in 2015 and one of NJBIZ Accounting Power 50 from 2020 to 2022.

Robert J. Valas is an accounting and finance professional with extensive experience providing audit, accounting, tax and consulting services to clients in diverse industries ranging from Fortune 500 to closely-held middle market companies.

Robert is a graduate of Pace University and has his masters from St Peters University.

Paula M. Young is a principal in the Audit & Assurance department of Amper, Politziner & Mattia with over 15 years experience with the firm. Ms. Young is a Certified Public Accountant in New York and New Jersey. She is a graduate of Wagner College with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a minor in mathematics. Ms. Young has serviced both public and private companies throughout her career in various industries including, supermarkets, cooperatives, biotechnology, franchises, construction contractors, leasing and marketing companies as well as many manufacturers and distributors. She also has experience in SEC compliance and reporting requirements. As a member of the quality assurance department, Ms. Young spends the majority of her time performing quality reviews, research and technical consultation to all offices. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants where she is also a member of the Accounting & Auditing Standards Interest Group.