Former NYSSCPA President Dies

Former NYSSCPA President Dies
A. Rick D’Arcangelo Valued His Integrity Above All

A. Rick D’Arcangelo, a former president of the New York State Society of CPAs and former chairman of the New York State Board for Public Accountancy, died in February at the age of 85.

A resident of Mamaroneck, N.Y., D’Arcangelo passed away on Feb. 14 in New York City due to complications from surgery for a tumor, a family member said.

D’Arcangelo left a long legacy of service to the profession in the state. He sat on the accountancy board from 1969 to 1979, serving as its chair from 1977 to 1978. In 1979, D’Arcangelo served as president of the Society.

“The first word that comes to mind about him is gentleman,” said Robert Israeloff, who sat on the Society’s board during D’Arcangelo’s presidency. “He was a real polite and classy gentleman. He came from humble beginnings and carried himself with class and dignity.”

D’Arcangelo was born on July 19, 1918, in Iselin, Penn. After graduating from New York University in 1942, he served as a second lieutenant for the 8th Air Force during World War II. D’Arcangelo’s commanding officer commended him for “establishing…the most remarkable and accurate reporting system ever devised in accounting for ordnance,” according to a statement released by his family.

Following his service in the Air Force, D’Arcangelo went on to found D’Arcangelo and Co., LLP, in 1950 at the age of 32. The firm now has offices in Purchase, Poughkeepsie, Millbrook, Rome and Utica, N.Y. D’Arcangelo was noted for developing close relationships with his clients.

“He had no clients: they were all family,” Inez D’Arcangelo, his daughter, said. “He succeeded through hard work, honesty and integrity. Sort of the old-fashioned CPA.”

Inez said her father enjoyed working to the end of his life, even signing paperwork while being treated for a tumor in the hospital. He had a strong passion and commitment to his clients which remained with him until the day he died.

“He died with his boots on,” she said.

D’Arcangelo’s legacy to the profession stretched beyond the state. He served on the American Institute of CPAs’ Governing Council and on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, in addition to numerous positions with Society committees and work for the Westchester Chapter.

Israeloff said that as president of the NYSSCPA, D’Arcangelo faced issues similar to what CPAs confront today. Israeloff said mandatory peer review, accreditation for functions outside the traditional scope of CPA practice, and self-regulation were some of the things D’Arcangelo inherited when he became president.

The Society in 1991 granted D’Arcangelo its Distinguished Service Award.

D’Arcangelo is survived by his wife, Marjorie, and his children, James D’Arcangelo, Inez D’Arcangelo, Martha D’Arcangelo and John D’Arcangelo, along with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. D’Arcangelo is also survived by a number of siblings.