CPA Observation Post

J.H. Cohn LLP and Reznick Group, P.C. Announce Plans to Combine

New Firm will be the 11^th Largest Accounting Firm in the U.S., With More Than 2,000 Employees, 25 Offices, More Than $450 Million in Revenue

J.H. Cohn LLP and Reznick Group, P.C., two of the top-20 ranked accounting and consulting firms in the United States, today announced plans to combine and become the 11^th largest firm in the country with more than 2,000 employees, 25 offices, and combined revenues of more than $450 million. The Partners and Principals of both firms have agreed to the combination. Pending final approvals, the combination is anticipated to take effect in September. 

“The combination of these two great organizations immediately elevates us to a preeminent position on the East Coast with offices from Boston to Atlanta, provides a significant expansion in California, and establishes a national footprint with additional offices in Texas and Chicago,“ said Thomas J. Marino, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, J.H. Cohn.  “This combination of peers changes the landscape of the accounting industry by establishing a firm with an unprecedented concentration of industry experience in real estate, and highly specialized, combined experience in areas such as renewable energy, hospitality, manufacturing and distribution, capital markets, government, construction, life sciences and technology, and valuations.”

“The synergies and opportunities this combination of equals brings to our clients and staff is nothing short of historic,” said Ken Baggett, Reznick Group’s managing principal and CEO.  J.H. Cohn has very diverse clients across a wide array of industries.  When combined with Reznick Group’s deep knowledge of the affordable housing and commercial real estate industries, as well as the tax credit arena, the result is a firm that is a powerful resource for clients across all of their accounting, tax and consulting needs.”

Marino also noted that the professionals of each firm bring a shared commitment to highly personalized client service, deep technical and industry expertise, strategic insight, and dedication to their employees and communities. Each firm has enterprising employee cultures built around giving employees the freedom and resources to chart their own career paths focused on creating new opportunities for themselves -- and for clients.  Both firms have recently garnered recognition by industry and business publications for their excellence and commitment to their people, women’s initiatives, and as best places to work.  In addition, both firms have recently received major awards for their community involvement and leadership in the cities in which they live and work.

NJ firm raises money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (via @AccountingToday)

Members of New Jersey accounting, tax and business advisory firm Fazio, Mannuzza, Roche, Tankel, LaPilusa recently went casual for a cause, wearing jeans to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This was the firm’s first time donating through denim, with those funds going to the LLS’s global blood cancer research, information and support services. Read More>>

Rothstein Kass Merges in HC Associates

Rothstein Kass has announced the addition of HC Associates LLC to its Business Advisory Services Group. HC Founder and CEO Edward R. Tedeschi and President and Chief Operating Officer Carl J. Versella have joined Rothstein Kass as Principals and will continue to provide customized consulting services to clients including hedge funds, fund of funds, institutional investors, family offices, asset managers, banks and broker dealers. The addition of the HC team continues the nationwide expansion of Rothstein Kass’ advisory practice and services. 

As members of the Rothstein Kass Business Advisory Services Group, the HC team will continue to focus on strategic business planning for sophisticated clients, including due diligence services, treasury management, counterparty credit / risk management, service provider analysis, compliance services and interim role responsibilities. Consulting services across disciplines include finance, operations, compliance, credit and risk, and technology support, complementing existing capabilities.

Mr. Tedeschi founded HC in San Francisco in 2002 and brings over 30 years of diverse operating experience to his new position at Rothstein Kass. Prior to establishing HC, Mr. Tedeschi was Chief Operating Officer for Genesis Merchant Group and before relocating to San Francisco in 1993, he held several senior positions at Morgan Stanley. His career commenced in 1979 with Goldman Sachs. 

Mr. Versella joined HC in 2005 and expanded the firm’s regional presence by opening an office in New Jersey. He has 30 years of related experience encompassing senior positions at Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and Tiger Management. Mr. Versella began his career at Goldman Sachs.

Fred Nitting Joins J.H. Cohn as a Partner in Cohn Consulting Group

Fred Nitting, CPA, has joined Roseland-based J.H. Cohn LLP, as a partner in Cohn Consulting Group, a division of J.H. Cohn.

Nitting will work closely with clients in the financial services industry, including banks, investing management firms, broker/dealers, insurance companies, and credit unions, delivering governance, performance, and other value-added consulting services.

Prior to joining J.H. Cohn, Nitting was the chief executive officer of a large provider of internal audit, IT audit, regulatory compliance, and risk management services. Prior to that, he held various senior management positions within the financial services industry. Nitting worked for a Big Four accounting firm in both the auditing and consulting practices at the beginning of his career.

Nitting is a member of the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJSCPA).

J.H. Cohn Announces 2012 Partnership Elections

Roseland-based J.H. Cohn LLP has announced the elections of Kevin Hedden and John Toscano to its partnership. 
 
Kevin Hedden, CPA, joined J.H. Cohn in 1996 and is based in the Roseland, NJ office. Kevin is a member of the Firm’s Manufacturing and Distribution Industry Practice, Technology and Life Sciences Industry Practice, and the Capital Markets and SEC Practice, and has focused on publicly held biotechnology clients. Recently, he joined the Firm’s Quality Control department. Kevin serves as treasurer and board member of Mrs. Wilson’s House, a nonprofit organization in Morristown, NJ, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a graduate of Montclair State University, from which he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

John Toscano, CPA, currently leads the efforts of J.H. Cohn’s Educational Institution Industry Practice in New England and is a member of the Firm’s Not-for-Profit Industry Practice. He has more than 20 years of experience providing accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services to clients in a wide variety of industries, including not-for-profit, manufacturing, and construction. Prior to joining J.H. Cohn’s Glastonbury office, John worked for a regional firm in Connecticut for many years. John is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA) and actively participates in the CSCPA’s Not-for-Profit Committee as well as the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Council. Currently, he serves on the finance and audit committees of Capital Workforce Partners, a not-for-profit organization in Hartford. John has been recognized for his professional accomplishments as a past recipient of the Hartford Business Journal’s 40 under 40 award. John is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Ballezzi & Associates merges with Bartolomei Pucciarelli

Lawrenceville-based Bartolomei Pucciarelli announced today that Ballezzi & Associates has merged into their firm. According to a press release, the move consolidates two accounting practices that share entrepreneurial business cultures, as well as a great deal of mutual respect for one another.

Ballezzi & Associates has provided accounting and business advisory services in the tri-state region, as well as to international accounts, for 40 years. With a majority of their customer base being commercial businesses, Ballezzi developed expertise in several key markets while honing a specialty within the information technology sector. Many of these clients are software development companies that require a wide platform of services, such as outsourced CFO, business consulting, performance analysis and capital procurement.

The relationship between Mr. Bartolomei and Mr. Ballezzi goes back 15 years. Throughout this period of time, the two firms have collaborated on many projects giving both a very solid understanding of each other's capabilities and approach to client services.

The full press release may be viewed at http://www.bp-cpas.com/press.htm.

(From left to right) Enrico J. Ballezzi, Florence H. Lau, James E. Bartolomei and Michael S. Pucciarelli gather in the Bartolomei Pucciarelli lobby in Lawrenceville.

EisnerAmper Merges in Harb, Levy & Weiland

EisnerAmper is merging in Harb, Levy & Weiland, expanding the New York-based firm’s presence to California, Illinois and India. Read More>>

ParenteBeard Promotes Professionals in the New Jersey Metro Region

ParenteBeard announced today that the following professionals have been promoted in the firm’s New Jersey Metro region.

Promoted to Senior

• David Benson has been promoted to senior in the Tax Services practice. Benson graduated from Moravian College where he earned a BA degree in accounting. He is a member of the NJSCPA and AICPA. He resides in Morristown, NJ.
• Damian Janasek has been promoted to senior in the Tax Services practice. Janasek graduated from Moravian College where he earned a degree in accounting. He resides in Warren, NJ.
• Jason Lauretta has been promoted to senior in the Audit and Accounting Services practice. Lauretta graduated from Monmouth University where he earned a BS degree in business administration. He is a member of the NJSCPA and AICPA. He resides in Forked River, NJ.
• Henrique Miguel has been promoted to senior in the Audit and Accounting Services practice. Miguel graduated from Berkeley College where he earned a BS degree in accounting. He is a member of the NJSCPA. Miguel resides in Union, NJ.

Promoted to Manager

• Steven Dioguardi has been promoted to manager in the Audit and Accounting Services practice. Dioguardi graduated from Rutgers University where he earned a BS degree in accounting. He is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association – NJ Chapter. Dioguardi resides in Piscataway, NJ.
• Allison Ligori has been promoted to manager in the Audit and Accounting Services practice. Ligori graduated from Elon University where she earned a degree in accounting. She is a member of the NJSCPA. Ligori resides in Livingston, NJ.

Promoted to Senior Manager

• Eileen Cabatu has been promoted to senior manager in the Audit and Accounting Services practice. Cabatu graduated from Rutgers University where she earned a BS degree in accounting. She is a member of the Financial Managers Society – NY/NJ Chapter, as well as the AICPA and NJSCPA. Cabatu resides in Union, NJ.

Smolin Lupin Merges in McKinley White (via @AccountingToday)

Smolin Lupin & Co. of Fairfield, N.J., has merged with McKinley White & Co., LLP of Paramus, N.J., expanding the firm’s services in the not-for-profit, education and transportation sectors. Read More>>

Gerald Brignola, CPA PA Merges with Traphagen Financial Group

Traphagen Financial Group recently announced a merger with Gerald Brignola, CPA, PA (GB) a Paramus based accounting firm effective January 1, 2012.

Brignola has more than 30 years’ experience in both public and private accounting. He worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Citigroup before starting his own CPA firm in 1988.