NYSSCPA member Allen L. Fetterman has been chosen to receive the 2015 Urbach CPA Community Builders Award, for his leadership in the merging of two Rockland County synagogues this past year.
Fetterman led the consolidation of Temple Beth Torah of Nyack, N.Y., and Temple Beth El of Spring Valley, N.Y., into a newly formed 501(c) (3) entity called The Reform Temple of Rockland, helping to stave off a looming financial crisis in the process. He is currently the co-president of the temple’s board.
The Urbach Award is given to CPAs in New York state who have made outstanding contributions while serving on the board of directors of charitable organizations.
“Without Allen’s leadership, financial insight and strategic considerations, his family, along with the entire congregation may have lost their second home,” wrote David Rottkamp, an audit partner at Grassi & Company CPAs, in Fetterman’s nomination letter. “This merger has brought new opportunities to the entire congregation and ensures that the future will be brighter for all.”
The Urbach Award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, a Society member who was also a partner at Urbach, Kahn and Werlin (now called UHY Advisors); a former NYS Commission of Tax and Finance; and a former board leader of a number of charities. The NYSSCPA and New York Council of Non-Profits (NYCON) co-sponsor the award.
Fettterman worked for nearly four decades as an auditor and consultant, serving more than 1000 non-profit clients for Loeb & Troper LLP in New York City. Since his 2013 retirement he’s worked as a national public lecturer and speaker on topics related to not-for-profit, auditing, tax compliance and governance.
He has chaired the Society’s Not-for-Profit Organization, Professional Ethics, Audit, and Quality Controls committees.
“I really enjoy donating my time and effort to not-for-profit organizations and community based charities,” Fetterman said. “Everyone should make time to give back to not-for-profit organizations and other charities. When it comes to not-for-profit organizations, you always end up getting back more than what you initially give.”