Former Chapter President Named Tax Commissioner

Pataki Nominates Arthur J. Roth

Governor George E. Pataki nominated Arthur J. Roth, former NYSSCPA Northeast Chapter president, as commissioner of the Department of Taxation and Finance on May 12. Last year, Roth received the NYSSCPA Outstanding Certified Public Accountant in Government award. He also is a former member of the Society's board of directors.

Roth succeeds Michael Urbach, who recently resigned after completing his tenure as tax commissioner. The nomination to the post, which pays $120,650, is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

"Arthur Roth's more than thirty years of experience in public accounting and community service will be invaluable as we work to make the tax department more responsive to New Yorkers while continuing to cut the tax burden," Gov. Pataki said. "I'm confident he'll be able to build on the achievements of Michael Urbach, who was an outstanding commissioner."

Roth has served as deputy commissioner for tax operations in the tax department since March 1996. He was director of financial services advisory practice for upstate New York from 1991 to 1996. He founded and was managing director of Roth Nobis & Co. PC in Albany from 1968 to 1992.

"I appreciate Governor Pataki's confidence in me and look forward to working with him to continue to improve services to our customers while making the department as efficient and effective as possible," Roth said.

In addition to his work as an accountant, Roth has served as chair of the city of Albany's Special Commission on Tax Exempt Property, chair of the Albany Municipal Water Authority, director of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management at SUNY-Albany.

Roth served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, 31st Artillery Brigade, Army Air Defense Command from 1962 to 1964. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University. *