Samuel Traum, Prominent Society Member, Dies at 90

Samuel Traum, Prominent Society Member, Dies at 90

Samuel Benjamin Traum, an active New York State Society of CPAs member for almost 50 years and one of the “founding fathers” of the Society’s Nassau Chapter, passed away in June. He was a resident of Great Neck, N.Y.

For virtually all his career Traum worked as an independent CPA with a loyal roster of clients. “He had this base of clients who wouldn’t leave him no matter what,” said Michael Borsuk, past Society president and Nassau Chapter president.

Irene Gold, one of Traum’s three daughters, remembers him as “a real champion” for the advancement of women in the accounting profession. “He wanted to see that women were promoted in the ranks and given positions at the local and state level. He would encourage women and help them get that equal recognition,” she said.

Gold added that her father vocally supported the cause of continuing education within the Society.

Traum served as Nassau Chapter president in1964–1965 and participated with chapter-level committees and activities well into his 80s.

“He was always eager to participate in committee meetings and to share his knowledge and experience with younger members and anyone who would ask his opinion,” said Jerry Klein, a Society member who met Traum through the Nassau Chapter. In fact, Traum insisted that Robert Jay Schaffer, the current Nassau Chapter president, pay him a visit at home to discuss the state of the chapter before Schaffer took office.

In addition to his chapter involvement, Traum served as a member of more than 15 Society committees, most recently the Accounting and Review Services, Further-ance, Annual Leadership Conference and Nominating committees.

The Society in 1993 granted Traum its Distinguished Service Award.

“Just by being with us, Traum naturally imparted his knowledge and experience. He was the consummate gadfly because he wanted things to be better—if something was wrong he’d speak up loud and clear,” remembered Borsuk. “He cast his shadow over the chapter, the Society and the entire profession.”

Traum is survived by his daughters, Sara, Jessica and Irene, and grandchildren Marcel and David.