Accounting Educators Symposium Webcast

A. Rief Kanan, CPA is a professor of accounting at the School of Business of The State University of New York at New Paltz, where he is the Director of The Business Institute and holds a Sam Walton Free Enterprise Fellowship. Professor Kanan is the lead instructor for the SUNY New Paltz CPA Exam Preparation Program, powered by Wiley Efficient Learning. He is a graduate of Bryant University and Syracuse University’s Whitman Graduate School of Management. He also holds a Certificate in Advanced Management Studies from Yale University. Professor Kanan is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts have designated him a Master Analyst of Financial Forensics (MAFF). He also holds the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. In May 2014, he received the Dr. Emanuel Saxe Outstanding CPA in Education Award. He is a contributing author of his college’s 150-hour CPA licensure qualifying program leading to the MBA degree. His forty-five years of experience include public accounting, corporate auditing and accounting, corporate management and entrepreneurial activities in real estate and retail businesses. Since becoming a “full-time” college professor in 1997, he has maintained his entrepreneurial edge by assembling three “think tanks” each made up of twelve to sixteen CEOs, company presidents and senior executives. These executives work on the strategies and operations of their businesses in association with ALPS Leadership and the international organization Vistage. As Director of The Business Institute, he administers or delivers consulting services to small and mid-sized companies including training programs, company planning meetings, marketing research, operations management, organizational development, and organizational behavior. Recently, he completed the instructional development and facilitation of a multi-national leadership development program delivered to executives in Cranbury, NJ, Melville, LI, NY, Sofia, Bulgaria and Montevideo, Uruguay. He has had articles appear in the Academy of Business Research, Family Lawyer Magazine and The Trusted Professional newsletter of the NY State Society of CPAs. Professor Kanan is Vice-Chair of the Future of Accounting Education Committee and he is campus champion for student membership in the State Society as well as the American Institute of CPAs. He is also the Chapter Education Liaison for the Mid-Hudson Chapter. He is a Trustee of Historic Huguenot Street and chairman of their audit committee. He is chairman of the Mid-Hudson Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) Board and served for three years as Trustee of the Foundation for Accounting Education. Mr. Kanan’s not-for-profit work includes three terms as president of the Middletown, NY, YMCA, eighteen years as a trustee of the YMCA. Finally, he has been admitted as a fellow of the Ethics Network of the Center for the Public Trust, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Mr. Kanan and his wife Nancy live in the Hudson Valley and are great advocates of the natural beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains.

Frank Manzi is the Chair of the Department of Accounting, Business and Economics at The College of Mount Saint Vincent (the Mount).   Frank started and runs a professional Accounting Society at the Mount supporting student’s professional growth and driving the accounting curriculum to maintain the highest standards and to comply with National and Statewide Licensure requirements. Frank has been a full time professor at the Mount since 2017 teaching all accounting courses at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as courses in Finance, Strategy and Information Systems   Prior to joining academia Frank operated in the business world for 35 years in the fields of Accounting, Finance and Operations with increasing levels of responsibilities in the following industries: Public Accounting Telecommunications Advertising Web Development Supply Chain operations and branding   A certified public accountant often in the role of streamlining operations, designing and implementing process improvements and developing and managing public company’s internal control framework. Frank is a member of New York State Society of CPA’s and serves on the Future of Accounting Education Committee. Frank has several articles published in the CPA Journal focusing on the many diverse skills a CFO must have and how to improve those skills for future business requirements. Frank earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Columbia University and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Pace University

Professor Mark M. Ulrich is an Assistant Professor in the Business Department at Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York. He teaches financial accounting and cost accounting. Mark has been teaching accounting at the college level for over 10 years. His research interests include accounting education pedagogy and the CPA licensure process. Mark currently serves in numerous leadership capacities at the New York State Society of CPAs, including President of the Queens/Brooklyn Chapter and Director on the statewide Board of Directors. He is also a member of its Future of Accounting Education committee and the Membership Task Force. He was named one of NYSSCPA’s “40 Under 40” winners in 2020.

Tracey J. Niemotko, JD, CPA, CPE is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She is a member of the Mid-Hudson Chapter and has been a member of the Society since 1991. As an accounting educator, she strives to prepare students for the professional workplace by helping them develop effective communication skills.

Dr. Geraldo (Gerry) Vasquez is an Assistant Professor of Accounting in the Department of Business Management of the School of Business of the State University of New York-Farmingdale State College.​​ His research interests include auditor behavior, going concern opinion, student engagement and experiential learning, blockchain technology and digital assets. His research is published in the Journal of Theoretical Accounting Research and The CPA Journal.​ ​ Dr. Vasquez serves as a member of the Future of Accounting Education Committee of the NYSSCPA. He is a former member of the Auditing Standards and Digital Assets Committees of the NYSSCPA. He also serves as the Founding Chair of the Board of Trustees of Emblaze Academy Charter School, Inc. ​​ Dr. Vasquez is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Global Business Insights and a peer reviewer for The CPA Journal.​ ​ Previously, Dr. Vasquez served as the Chief Financial Officer of Sustainable South Bronx, Inc., the Founding Director of Finance and Administration of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, a Senior Auditor for the Office of the New York State Comptroller and a Vice President of Merrill Lynch and Co., Inc. ​ ​ Dr. Vasquez holds a D.B.A. from the Fox School of Business and Management (AACSB accredited) of Temple University. He also holds a M.Sc. and B.A. cum laude in Accounting from the City University of New York-Queens College. Dr. Vasquez is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.​

Wayne Thomas is the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research Innovation at the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. He holds the David C. Steed Chair in Accounting and OU’s designation as a George Lynn Cross Research Professor. His research interests include accounting information in capital markets, techniques used by managers to manipulate earnings, the importance of financial disclosures, and financial statement analysis. He previously served as an editor for The Accounting Review. The best part of his job is teaching students. He enjoys the challenge of helping students become problem solvers, think more critically about the role of accounting in society, and have a passion for learning. He co-authors three books with McGraw-Hill: Financial Accounting 6e, Intermediate Accounting 11e, and Financial Accounting for Managers 1e.

Rebecca Olson is the Senior Portfolio Director of Quantitative Business at McGraw Hill. She oversees the editorial teams and product development across Accounting, Finance, Operations/Decision Sciences, Business Analytics, and MIS. Rebecca has spent 6 years on McGraw Hill’s Accounting list, previously acting as the Portfolio Director for Accounting and Portfolio Manager for Financial Accounting. She has worked in higher education publishing and ed tech for 15 years.

Moira Tolan, PhD is a Professor of Business at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. Her current research interest in the area of improving communication skills in students is reflected in her upcoming publication, A How-To Guide for Business School Practitioners, (Information Age Publishing 2023).

Carl Peterson, CPA CGMA, AICPA Vice President – Small Firm Interests Carl Peterson is Vice President of Small Firms at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. In this role, he serves as the small firm advocate and representative for the profession. In this capacity, he meets with firms regularly to understand their issues and represent these firms from an advocacy and firm development perspective. Peterson serves as the voice of small firms within the AICPA on standard-setting, regulatory and small business issues. He is responsible for ensuring AICPA initiatives continue to meet the needs of small firms. Carl has been identified as one of the Top 100 Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today, 2014 thru 2021. Carl is also a technical advisor on the International Federation of Accountants Small Medium Practice Advisory Group.

Diana Huntress Deem Director, Congressional and Political Affairs American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Diana joined the AICPA’s Congressional and Political Affairs team in August 2009, where she works to advance the CPA profession’s agenda and enhance its political profile with lawmakers and Administration officials in Washington on important legislative, regulatory and other policy initiatives. Diana’s advocacy work focuses on issues impacting auditor attestation related to public companies, Single Audits, and employee benefit plans; the future of the profession including STEM, global mobility, and management accounting; accountancy licensing boards; and tax policy. Prior to joining the AICPA, Diana worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers (and its predecessor firm Price Waterhouse) for nineteen years in audit, governmental and regulatory affairs, and the work/life quality and diversity practice. She is a CPA, licensed in Maryland, and a member of the AICPA and the Maryland Association of CPAs. She is also a CGMA designation holder. Diana earned a B.S. in Accounting and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland in College Park. Diana served on the AFS-USA Board of Directors for six years through 2021.

My name is Josephina Vondras. I am a CPA and the senior accounting professor at Orange County Community College, which is part of the State University of New York. My academic background includes a BBA in Public Accounting from Pace University, and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University. I worked for KPMG in Stamford, CT in audit and Federal Paper Board Inc. in Montvale, NJ in financial reporting. My academic responsibilities include teaching introductory and intermediate accounting courses, course and curriculum development, academic advising, career guidance, and membership in ad hoc governance committees at SUNY Orange. I have also served as a peer reviewer for several accounting programs at Hudson Valley community colleges. Accounting students regard me at the “go-to” person for resume development and career guidance. I work with local CPA firms and employers to place students and graduates in temporary and permanent positions, and regularly coordinate paid and unpaid internships. Several former students are working for Big 4 accounting firms, while many are working locally in the beautiful Hudson Valley. My former students are now partners, managers and principals throughout the industry. Seeing my best students succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career as an educator. I have a passion for problem solving- especially when the problem involves connecting a student or former student to a quality employer. My ability to help students is supported by actively maintaining connections with local businesses and accounting firms, and faculty at several two year and four-year schools. My committee membership on the NYSSCPA Future of Accounting Education Committee, keeps me attuned to the critical linkage between accounting education, accounting practice, and industry. I have two adult children and live in Newburgh, NY with my husband and our adorable Black Labrador Retriever, Pepper who is a certified therapy dog.

Ellen Glazerman is the Executive Director of the Ernst & Young Foundation, and Director of University Relations, Americas for EY (formerly Ernst & Young). She also supports a variety of initiatives within the firm’s Office of Public Policy, Global Diversity and Inclusiveness. Formerly the Americas Director of Campus Recruiting for EY, she joined Ernst & Young LLP in May of 1993 as the Director of the Ernst & Young Foundation. Ellen joined the firm as the Director of the Ernst & Young Foundation. In 1996, Ellen assumed responsibility for the firm's campus recruiting efforts. As the Americas Director of Campus Recruiting, her responsibilities included providing strategic direction, focus, and infrastructure support for campus recruiters firmwide until spring, 2001. During her tenure, Ellen helped to create the first global recruiting brochure for the firm, the first Intern Leadership Conference and the first formal internal network of recruiters. She reprised this role on an interim basis between 2014 and 2015. Ellen took responsibility for beginning the analysis of corporate giving throughout the U.S. firm until the firm formed its CR initiatives in 2003. Ellen is the past-Chair and current member of the Board of Directors for the Graduate Management Admission Council, a member of President’s Council at Wesleyan University, the Leventhal School of Accounting Board of Advisors, and the BQM School of Accounting Board of Advisors. She was a Commissioner for the profession’s Pathways in Accounting initiatives. Ellen is Past-Chair of the Forte Foundation Board of Directors, a not-forprofit dedicated to “inspiring women business leaders.” She is also a past Board member of AACSB, the AAA Executive Committee, the Ross School at the University of Michigan, the APLG (twice), the AICPA Education committee, the Center for the Public Trust, Gina Gibney Dance Company, T-Zone (Tyra Banks’ charity is support of women and girls), Beta Alpha Psi, AACSB, and the North Carolina Chapel Hill Accountancy Program.

Alexa Greenberg is a campus recruitment specialist for the EisnerAmper NYC Office. She is responsible for connecting with candidates interested in accounting internships and entry level positions at schools across the US, specifically in the New York and California areas.

Taylor Klink, Campus Recruiter at PKF O’Connor Davies. We are a mid-size public accounting firm, with offices across the northeastern region, providing services in Audit, Advisory, Tax, and Family Office Services. My primary responsibilities within the firm are recruiting for our internship programs and our full-time entry level associate roles.

Nicole Steel is the Talent Acquisition & Human Resources Manager with Prager Metis CPAs. In addition to Talent Acquisition, Nicole specializes in Strategic Workforce Planning and Employee & Candidate Engagement and Experience; and is responsible for the company’s national Talent Acquisition, Campus Recruitment efforts as well as Human Resources for the West Coast. Nicole is inspired daily by her husband, Chris and their rescue Boxer, Percy. In her free time, Nicole likes to ride her motorcycle, a T-120 Triumph with her husband, and provide free career building advice for local non-profit organizations centered providing employment assistance.

Lynne Fuentes is a Certified Public Accountant, a Charted Global Management Accountant and the Managing Partner at Fuentes & Angel CPAs, LLC, a full-service accounting firm located in Jericho, NY. Over her 25-year career, Lynne has provided expert accounting, tax planning, and business development services to various industries, including consulting, law firms, online and internet-based retail stores, limited-service restaurants, medical practices, construction, electrical contractors (both union and non-union shops), transportation and wholesale outlets. She also specializes in tax and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals. Before forming Fuentes & Angel CPAs, LLC, Lynne had her own practice; she had begun building it as a student in college. Before going out on her own in 2010, she worked at a mid-sized national firm; there, she managed the tax department, was responsible for overseeing and mentoring junior and senior accountants, and tax preparation and planning for businesses and individuals. Lynne earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University. She is a CPA in New York and received her CGMA from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Lynne also makes time to be involved with professional organizations. She is a member of the AICPA, National Conference of CPA Practitioners, and the NYS Society of CPAs. Lynne has served as the co-chairperson of the Estate and Financial Planning Committee for the Nassau Chapter of the NYS Society of CPAs, where she has been a member since 2004. She has also served on the Nassau Chapter Board as a Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President-Elect. In May 2016, she was installed as the 63rd President of the Nassau Chapter. For the State Board, she has served a 3-year term Director as Chapter Representative-Nassau Chapter for the NYS Society of CPAs and is the Vice President for the current fiscal year. Lynne is currently the President of the NYSSCPA for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, as well as serving a 3-year term on the AICPA Governing Council. Lynne also realizes the importance of giving back. She volunteers at her Alma Mater, Holy Trinity High School’s annual career night, providing the students with information and guidance on careers in accounting. She also assists with the NYS Society of CPA’s Career Opportunity in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program, a unique learning experience developed to expose promising underrepresented high school juniors to accounting and business careers. The program features successful role models and an introduction to college campus life. A Hicksville native, Lynne recently moved back to her hometown to be closer to her family and office. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her nieces and nephews at their family’s bungalow in Oakdale.

Dr. Dorata earned a Ph.D. in accounting from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in 2003. She holds a B.S. in Accounting and a M.B.A. in Taxation from St. John’s University. Dr. Dorata is a registered certified public accountant in New York. Before joining the faculty at St. John’s University, Dr. Dorata taught at the State University of New York at the College of Old Westbury, where she served as chair of the Accounting and Business Law Department. Additionally, Dr. Dorata taught at St. Joseph’s College where she co-founded the Accounting Club. Dr. Dorata has taught numerous courses in financial and managerial accounting in both graduate and undergraduate curriculums. Dr. Dorata’s professional experience includes working as an auditor for Price Waterhouse & Co. where she serviced clients in the financial services and manufacturing industries. She was an Assistant Vice President of Corporate Accounting for E.F. Hutton & Co. Inc. and a Director of Financial Reporting at Staff Builders Inc., which are both registrants of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Her professional experience also includes consulting for various clients and has served on audit committees. Dr. Dorata’s research interest is primarily financial reporting, capital markets and corporate governance. Recent research initiatives include governance structures in public finance, particularly public school districts. She has presented numerous papers to academic forums at national and international venues. She has published in peer reviewed journals such as Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, Journal of Applied Business Research, Managerial Finance, Accounting Forum, Review of Business, and The CPA Journal. Dr. Dorata serves as a Technical Expert in Business Combination accounting for CCH and has authored a book titled “Accounting for Business Combinations, Goodwill, and Other Intangible Assets. Interpretations of U.S. and International Accounting Standards.” She is the recipient of the 2007 Best Paper Award at the Financial Services Institute Symposium. Dr. Bikki Jaggi advised her dissertation, “The Impact of Post-Acquisition Activities on Bid Premium in the Market for Corporate Acquisitions.” Dr. Dorata received several academic honors and teaching awards. In 2008, Dr. Dorata received the Dr. John Dobbins Professor of the Year Award from Student Government. She is also a recipient of the 2008 Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award for dedication to students. She is the recipient of the 2008-2009 Dr. John W. Dobbins Outstanding Service Award from the Peter J. Tobin College of Business in connection with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in the Department of Accountancy, which is now a campus-based virtual VITA program. She is also a co-recipient of the 2019 PwC INQuires Grant, the recipient of the 2010-2011 PWC Faculty Fellowship for Recognition of Teaching Excellence, and the recipient of Ernst and Young Inclusive Excellence Award for Accounting and Business School Faculty 2010 Honors. In August 2011, St. John's University recognized Dr. Dorata with the Outstanding Faculty Service Medal and in 2015, the Outstanding Faculty Achievement Medal. Dr. Dorata is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Accounting Association and currently serves as Chair of the New York State Society of CPAs Future of Accounting Education Committee.