It”™s all about numbers and keeping businesses on the straight and narrow for certified public accountants.
“They are a very important part of the success of a business,” said Joseph B. McCoy, commercial lending team leader and senior vice president with People”™s United Bank in White Plains. “Providing the assurances that the financial numbers are accurate is a large part of what helps a bank feel comfortable lending money to the company. Also the guidance and counsel they provide is what makes them a trusted partner for most companies.”
In an effort to shine a spotlight on the accounting profession, People”™s United Bank joined with the Westchester County Business Journal to create an event to honor unsung heroes in the accounting profession.
Called Beyond the Bottom Line, the inaugural event will be held Nov. 17 at Manhattanville College, whose School of Business is the sponsor.
Out of nearly 40 nominations, winners were chosen in five categories:
Ӣ Ahead of the Curve: Anthony Justic, Maier Markey & Justic LLP.
Ӣ Most Community Oriented: Frank Pellegrino, Pellegrino & Company LLP.
Ӣ Top Accountant Under 40: Anson Augustine, Marcum LLP.
Ӣ Most Trusted Adviser: Michael S. Hymes, Hymes & Associates CPA PC.
Ӣ Best Managing Partner: Kevin Keane, OӪConnor Davies LLP.
Justic”™s nomination form said in part that he “has earned his clients”™ trust with his comprehensive technical knowledge of auditing and accounting principles and his thorough understanding of various business industries.”
Pellegrino supports the accounting club at Westchester Community College by speaking to the students about this career as well as the opportunities available in his industry.
Augustine became an accountant in 2003 after graduating from Fordham University. He later earned from the school an MBA in finance and information systems.
For Hymes, “His 34 years of putting his clients first and (becoming) their friend, mentor and adviser have helped to distinguish him,” his nomination said.
As a nominee, Keane was lauded for creating “an environment of transparency” at his firm where the “staff feels a partnership with the firm”™s goals.”
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges: Larry Gottlieb, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. in New Windsor; Mark G. Leeds, CFO of Win Properties Inc. in Rye Brook; Eon S. Nichols, attorney with Cuddy & Feder LLP in White Plains; Don Albert Kiamie, president and CEO of Windsor Management Corp.
McCoy applauded the choice of winners.
“For our inaugural event I wasn”™t sure how the process was going to play out,” he said. “The mix is good as you have large to small firms represented with the honorees and I think the judges did a great job in making their decisions. Hopefully this event will create enthusiasm for next year and the event will grow year over year.”
Dee DelBello, publisher of Westfair Communications Inc., said, “We are delighted to be partnering with People”™s United Bank in honoring CPAs who are such a vital part of most businesses. People”™s is indeed a bank for all people and from our company”™s point of view our CPA is an invaluable partner in everything we do at the Journals. We have had personal experience with our CPA helping during challenging times and making good times even better.”
For more information on the event, contact Holly DeBartolo at hdebartolo@westfairinc.com.
Frank Pellegrino has also been donating his time raising monies for Mt St Michael to fund disadvantaged children to attend the school as well as several major upgradesto the school, and for the aged and retired Marist Brothers for over 35 years in various, continuous, fundraising activities.
To Xtrag: this is Fran Pellegrino a member of the New York State Society of CPA’s and I would like to thank you for your comments. Unfortunately they were being addressed to another Frank Pellegrino. I do not know the Frank you are referring to but from your comments it is obvious that he is a dedicated supporter of Mt. St. Michael’s. I commend him for his efforts and would not ever take credit for someone else’s life long comittment.