Young CPAs Committee Co-Chairs:

Pasquale Rafanelli, CPA, CFE, and Amanda Sexton, CPA, CFE

Mission Statement:

To introduce and recruit young accounting professionals into the industry by providing access to other professionals in many areas of business, including accountants, financial specialists, attorneys, business owners, etc.

To provide opportunities to improve young professionals’ technical and soft skills.

To provide young accounting professionals and CPAs with access to the other committees within the NYSSCPA’s Suffolk Chapter.

Young CPA Committee Overview:

The Young CPAs Committee provides a forum to assist younger members in becoming acclimated to the NYSSCPA and allows them to learn how to plan and organize events, develop their public speaking skills, establish a network among their peers, and participate in community service. Traditionally, our Committee hosts three annual networking events (two dinners and one golf outing); these events are attended by CPAs, bankers, attorneys, and other professionals. In addition, our Committee assists and supports an annual Toys for Tots drive for less fortunate children on Long Island, and a Treats for Troops program to benefit U.S. soldiers who are serving our country overseas. Moreover, through our joint efforts with the Cooperation with Educational Institutions Committee, we provide an opportunity for our members to reach out to college students at our annual student night, as well as to high school students during our high school visits. Lastly, our Committee holds at least one technical event each year to enhance our members’ technical skills.

We have found that our events promote connections at the earlier stages of one’s professional career; these connections grow and develop as one’s professional career progresses. Finally, we have also learned that our Committee often serves as a springboard for other Committees within the Chapter, as well as for involvement with the Executive Board. The majority of our Chapter’s Officers and Executive Board members are current or former Chairs of the Young CPAs Committee. This demonstrates that the Committee helps to groom the future leaders of our Chapter.

The Young CPAs Committee is the most active committee within the Suffolk Chapter. We are always looking to create new events and opportunities for mingling. Please join us, and feel free to pass along this invitation to your colleagues.

Young CPAs Committee Responsibilities:

Committee responsibilities are shared by the Committee members. All of us take a part in planning technical, social networking, and philanthropic events. The Committee generally meets monthly for breakfast (outside of tax season) to gather ideas for new events, divide up responsibilities for upcoming events, and discuss strengths and weaknesses of prior events.

How to Join:

To get involved in our Young CPAs Committee, please contact one of the Committee’s Co-Chairs listed on the “Committee Members” page. Also, see our “Committee Meetings” page for the next Committee meeting.