At the 2020 annual meeting of the NYSSCPA, held via videoconference on the afternoon of May 27, Edward L. Arcara was installed as the Society’s 101st president.

Arcara outlined goals for the year, including further partnering with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, business groups, chambers of commerce and other professional organizations; showcasing the talents of the Society’s 15 chapters; and growing membership through more outreach to colleges and universities. He said, “We have all experienced challenges due to COVID-19 and we’re working through these uncharted territories. I am bound and determined that our State Society Board and myself do not skip a beat, and make sure that we accomplish the goals that we have set for this year and years to come.”  

The meeting included the formal election of all the 2020–2021 officers and directors, with terms that began on June 1, 2020. In addition to Arcara, the Society’s new officers are President-elect Rumbi Bwerinofa-Petrozzello, Secretary/Treasurer Thomas S. Pirro and four vice presidents: William H. Dresnack, Lynne M. Fuentes, Timothy J. Hammond and Robert M. Rollmann.

Traditionally, the NYSSCPA honors the recipients of its Society Awards at the annual meeting. This year, four Society Awards recipients will be honored at the Society’s Leadership Conference, to be held virtually on July 18–20.  They are Jack Angel—the Dr. Emanuel Saxe Outstanding CPA in Education Award, Sidney Kess—the NYSSCPA Distinguished Service Award,  Janet T. Verneuille—the Outstanding CPA in Industry Award and Lorraine P. Wolch—the Arthur J. Dixon Public Service Award.

The meeting marked the completion of Ita M. Rahilly’s term as president. “This has been a difficult time for all of us in the accounting profession,”  she said, “but I am proud that the New York State Society of CPAs has been so supportive, and such a leader of the profession, during this crisis.”