NYCPA Building a Resilient Career in Accounting Panel Discussion

Calvin Harris, Jr., CPA, is the CEO of The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYCPA). He also serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for Accounting Education, Inc., and the Moynihan Scholarship Fund, Inc. He is Treasurer of the Society’s CPA PAC, Inc. A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., Harris began his career as an auditor at Arthur Andersen LLP, later serving as the 24th Chairman of the Board and National President of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Before coming to the NYSSCPA, Harris was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the historic National Urban League (NUL), based in New York City. Harris has over 30 years of executive-level experience in working with complex organizations.

John M. Spatola, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, CFE, is a Manager of Business Valuation, Forensic Accounting & Dispute Resolution Services at Nawrocki Smith, LLP. He has extensive experience providing business valuation, forensic accounting and consulting services. Diversified experience in business valuations, enhanced earnings capacity calculations, due diligence, insurance loss consulting, economic damages, agreed upon procedures, income taxation and various other complex matters. Provides assistance to counsel in all aspects of litigation-related matters. In charge of day-to-day operations of the business valuation, forensic accounting & dispute resolutions services division. He has been qualified as an expert in the courts of Suffolk County.

Taylor VanSlyck is a highly accomplished Manager in the CFO Advisory Practice at Wiss, where she blends over seven years of public accounting experience with a forward-thinking approach to solving her clients’ financial challenges. Known for her innovative mindset, Taylor has been instrumental in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and deliver cutting-edge solutions. She specializes in CFO services and outsourced accounting, providing strategic financial guidance, supporting management with Business Process Reviews (BPRs), serving as an interim controller, and streamlining billing cycles for enhanced efficiency. Her expertise extends to navigating complex government programs like the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and PPP Loan Funding/Forgiveness, where her guidance has helped numerous businesses not only weather difficult times but also emerge stronger. Her proficiency in accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks Online (QBO), Deltek Vision, and Deltek VantagePoint, as well as her extensive experience with Bill.com, Wise, Ramp, and Fathom, ensures streamlined and efficient client support. Taylor focuses on building strong, lasting relationships with her clients so she can continue to provide them with advisory services in the future. Her professional and personal commitment to excellence reflects her focus on fostering meaningful, ongoing partnerships throughout her career.