THE BUZZ
MESSAGE FROM OUR MANAGING PARTNER
Team, First and foremost, I wish to express my gratitude for all your hard work in wrapping up another successful tax season. The current pandemic we are facing certainly brought about a number of unique challenges for us and all other accounting firms. Still, we were able to get our work done and out on schedule. This was no small feat and took the team work and diligence of all individuals under the Sax banner. I wish to thank everyone for their tireless efforts, especially those who went above and beyond to ensure our operations were functioning at peak capacity and that there was no disturbance to our clients. We could not have done it without you. On behalf of all Sax partners, I want to once again congratulate our team members who were promoted effective July 1, 2020. You can find those internal promotions highlighted again within this issue of the BUZZ. We wish them continued success in their new roles and in the advancement of their careers here at Sax. Again, we thank each and every one of you for your efforts and dedication to the firm and those we serve. Enjoy your summer!
Joseph Damiano
2020 OVATION AWARDS
Kathleen Alexander Recipient of the Impact Award for exemplary efforts and stellar achievements advancing New Jersey’s accounting profession.
Megan Sartor Recipient of the Women to Watch Award which applauds her growth and success in the industry and recognizes her leadership, contributions and commitment to fostering the success of her colleagues.
Elena Klarberg Recipient of the Women to Watch Award which applauds her growth and success in the industry and recognizes her leadership, contributions and commitment to fostering the success of her colleagues.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RECENT WINS (June 10 - July 31)
TOTAL WINS YTD
TOTAL RECURRING WINS YTD
$2,134,550
$1,499,550
NEW CLIENT WINS
ENGAGEMENT TEAM
1. Monocon Inc.
Ermal Luzaj
2. LCRE Group
Jeff Roude
3. West Caldwell Animal Hospital
Megan Sartor
4. Asembia, LLC
Joe Shannon
5. UniMak Construction LLC
Ermal Luzaj
6. Work Force Opportunity Service
Todd Polyniak
7. Sharp Electronics Inc.
Chris Gaffney
8. KLR Enterprises LLC 9. Dr. Adrian Jackens / Metro Eye Care 10. Joseph Vitagliano, DMD 11. CSI Consulting Group 12. Sachem, LLC 13. Essex County College Foundation 14. Gary Lowney and Sharon A Courtney
Ermal Luzaj Megan Sartor Sue Reed Jennifer Moroz Kevin Hansen Josh Chananie Ermal Luzaj
15. Center on Addiction
Todd Polyniak
16. MTM Design Group
Kathleen Alexander
HUMAN RESOURCES
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the newest member of our Sax family. Jonathan Yassa
Proofreader/Stat Typist | Clifton | 7.20.20
The following employees are no longer with the firm. We wish them the best in their future endeavors. Leslie Nash Meera Srinivas
Typist | Clifton | 7.9.20 CSA | Pennington | 7.31.20
Congratulations
to the following team members on their recent promotions
Tax
Lisa Mela Promoted from Manager to Senior Manager
Mani Gupta Promoted from Manager to Senior Manager
Jennifer Han Promoted from Senior Associate to Manager
Schoenstani Gil Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
John Beckerle Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Yan Yu Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
A&A Elena Klarberg Promoted from Senior Associate to Manager
Adam Apidopoulos Promoted from Senior Associate to Manager
Joe Saverino Promoted from Senior Associate to Manager
Michael Doyle Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Congratulations
Julia Goldshlag Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Daniel Sanchez Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Ella Valdez Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Anthony Sanchez Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Brandon Pasapane Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Agata Majdanska Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Alec Marceles Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
Jefferson Zotamba Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate
JOE DAMIANO NAMED TO NJBIZ'S ACCOUNTING POWER 50 The 2020 Accounting POWER 50 is a list of the most influential men and women in the profession that keep the state's businesses on track. In the words of NJBIZ, "These individuals listed are more than accountants. They are trusted advisors who are counted upon to provide sound guidance on every facet of an organization’s operations." Congratulations to Joe Damiano for ranking #21!
Great Card Mayank Shah deserves a Great Card for his assistance with E-file rejections at a critical time that allowed Sax to accomplish a successful, unprecedented season. Mayank took the lead with reporting and following-up on E-file rejections to our PICs and used his extensive knowledge to contribute meaningful solutions.
Rukiatu Lawal, CPA Ruki began working for the firm in November of 2017, and was recently promoted to Senior Associate in July of 2019. Some of her main responsibilities include ensuring engagements with our clients are completed efficiently and effectively, as well as advising them through any challenges they may be facing.
Jennifer Moroz, CPA Jenn began working for the firm in September of 1997 and leads Sax’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Department. On a day-to-day basis, she is consulting with her clients and serving as a mentor to her staff. She also serves as a planning member of the firm’s P.O.W.E.R. Group and is a Trustee on the Sax Charitable Foundation Board.
Read more about Rukiatu and Jennifer in our Q&As here
SAX LLP Savings and Investment Plan Update: The SAX LLP Savings and Investment Plan offers professionally managed investment model portfolios that allow plan participants to invest based on their risk tolerance. Effective September 29, the existing allocation of the model portfolios will be reinvested into a new model allocation. Participants in the plan will soon receive an investment change notice outlining the upcoming changes. Sax Wealth Advisors will be hosting information sessions in mid- late August about plan features and provisions, and to discuss the changes. Please be on the lookout for the investment change notice and invitations for the information sessions. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss your retirement plan account and the options available, you can reach the team at Sax Wealth Advisors by emailing retirement@saxwa.com. To reach out directly for any retirement plan related items, please contact Eric Seidman or Joe Piela.
Check out SaxWA's new service videos!
PRACTICE OVERVIEW
FINANCIAL PLANNING OVERVIEW
THE FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS
ASSET MANAGEMENT
RETIREMENT PLANNING
COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER
Now is the time to help our clients prepare for the road to recovery. With changes constant and released guidance ongoing, lean on Sax's Resource Center to stay in the know with the most recent updates.
LOAN PROGRAMS
TAX ALERTS
BUSINESS RESOURCES
WEBINARS
NJ, NY UPDATES
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
SAX'S "WALL OF SUPPORT"
These are trying times for us all as the question of when we will resume “business as usual” is surrounded by uncertainty. In an effort to assist our clients when they need it most, we have created a “Wall of Support” which includes a number of organizations who could use our backing. We encourage you to explore to see if there is a way you can lend a hand, whether that be by utilizing their services or donating to their cause.
If you have a client that would like to be included on our “Wall of Support”, please have them email covid19@saxllp.com with their company logo (.png, .eps, .ai, or pdf format) and the proper URL where to direct supporters.
VIRTUAL WELLNESS SERIES
We are taking our Wellness initiative virtual and partnering with Peter Kofitsas MS, PT – an expert in health and well being – to bring you a variety of virtual classes to ensure we aren’t forgetting to take care of ourselves while we work from home. Peter is a speaker, author, International Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist, and Physical Therapist to name a few of his credentials. He has appeared on ABC, FOX, MSN, TLC and in Fitness Magazine, and is currently focused on assisting companies and their employees with ways to stay healthy and find balance during this pandemic. We invite you to our first series installment: A cooking class with Peter Kofitsas!
Virtual Class: Better Than Chipotle, Sol Bowl Recipe Date & Time: Wednesday,August 5 @ 4:00 pm Description: Get out your cutting board, sharpen your knives and have your ingredients ready as you create your own Sol Bowl with Peter in this fun, skill enhancing, interactive cooking class. Create a delicious, better than Chipotle, Sol bowl by using healthy ingredients and tricks of the trade cooking tips that will take your cooking to the next level! You will receive an ingredient list and the chance for you (and your family) to cook live with Peter in this one of a kind, life changing virtual program! To attend, please accept the Outlook invite with the Zoom access information included.
Don't forget to join our
MONTHLY VIRTUAL HAPPY HOURS Led by Michael Rolls and Matt Goldstein AUGUST 20 4:30 PM If you have a suggestion for future happy hour themes, email your idea to marketing@saxllp.com
ANYTHING TO ADD? Email marketing@saxllp.com