THE BUZZ
MESSAGE FROM OUR MANAGING PARTNER
Team: It’s hard to believe 2019 is already upon us. Reflecting on the past year, I am proud to say that we are on track to reach our growth goals we set out to obtain, we had a great year for professional development, we received a number of accolades recognizing our strength and stability, and we even had our name on billboards throughout the state. 2018 was quite a success, and a step in the direction we wish to take in having a strong foothold in the industry on a national scale. These accomplishments are a reflection of us as a team, and speak volumes to our philosophies, expertise and client service. As we tie up the year, it is important to remember that we are not just trusted advisors to our clients at crucial points in time – but all year long. I hope you all can make our Holiday Party on December 20th to celebrate a job well done. It’s always a great night to relax, enjoy one another outside of the office, and to celebrate all of our hard work. You deserve it, and I look forward to seeing you there!
Joseph A. Damiano
FIRM NEWS
Our annual Healthcare Industry Update addressed the evolution currently in the marketplace and a panel of high-caliber experts discussed the significant changes and challenges physicians face.
Our annual Construction Industry Update was a success. An expert panel provided valuable insights on recent trends, current economic conditions and what we can expect for the future of the industry.
Congratulations to Sax Wealth Advisors for taking home two awards at the BAM National Conference. One for hitting the $1 billion mark and one for the most 401(k) plans won.
FIRM NEWS
Congratulations to Schoenstani Gil for recieving two William Paterson Scholarships this year: The Randi S. Jacobs Scholarship and The Henry J. Shotmeyer Endowed Scholarship.
As a firm, we collected a great deal of goods during our Thanksgiving Food Drive that helped the Family Intervention Services provide meals and household items to over 800 children and families. We thank everyone who contributed for their generosity!
Kyle Stawicki gave a talk to high school students at Calvary Christian High in Old Bridge about what they need to know about investing.
FIRM NEWS
Our New York Office celebrated their October & November birthdays with delicious cake. Jeff Roude was missed!
Candy Gordon-Geanoules and Breana Maher presented at Wayne Valley High School and Butler High School on behalf of Sax and the NJCPA. They informed the students about the CPA profession and to promote the NJCPA scholarship.
Matthew Hahn presented to over 75 Managed Service Providers on positioning the best Disaster Recovery solutions for their clients at the Datto Road Show in California.
FIRM NEWS
Sax's Health & Wellness event featured a Mindful Yoga session with yoga instructor, Angela Hahn. The feedback has been great and it was asked that we hold the event again during busy season!
Jennifer Moroz spoke on an Alumnae Panel to students at her high school, Immaculate Heart Academy about putting their best foot foward in starting their career.
Elena Klarberg, Candy GordonGeanoules, and Stu Berger proudly represented Sax at the BANNJ Annual Business Showcase.
FIRM NEWS
Twas a dark, snowy night and all through the land, not a vehicle was moving because there was no sand. Saxers were stuck watching Deloris spin, and they realized it was safer just to stay in. Joe D said we must be fed, and an expedition to Alexus was led. Thus, the first SAXGIVING had taken place, and you can see the joy on everyone's face. If you missed it, you should feel bad, because that's the only one we better have! - Virginia Dennerlein
ANNOUNCEMENTS | REMINDERS
Both Virginia Dennerlein and Sandra Tufaro received Great Cards for facing the elements in our first snow storm of the year. They walked between traffic to Alexus to pick up food for the stranded employees at the office who were very grateful!
FLOATING HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER DAY
Employees of the firm receive one Floating Holiday and one paid Volunteer Day to be used by the end of the year. These apply to all new hires that started prior to July 1. Floating Holidays and Volunteer Days do not carry over.
ANNOUNCEMENTS | REMINDERS
FOCUS
Volume III of The Sax FOCUS has been released! Hear from our inhouse advisors on relevant topics to the industries we serve. Read it here.
OFFICE CLOSURES
Sax will be closed on December 24 (Christmas Eve), December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 1 (New Years Day). Happy Holidays!
HEALTHY LIVING REIMBURSEMENT
Healthy Living Reimbursement information must be submitted to HR by Dec. 15 for payout in the Dec. 31 payroll. This is in addition to the reimbursement through Oxford. For further information, please reference Employee Handbook.
HUMAN RESOURCES
PTO Carry Over Reminder Accrued, unused PTO for full-time employees may be carried over to the subsequent calendar year up to 120 hours for non-partners/ employees to be used by December 31 of the following year. Accrued, unused PTO in excess of 120 hours will be forfeited. Please reference Sax's Employee Handbook for more information.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the newest members of our Sax family. Mohammed Khaled
Tax Intern | NYC | 1.7.19
Veronica Goyanes
Tax Intern | Clifton | 1.7.19
Adrian Smajlaj
Tax Intern | Clifton | 1.7.19
June Singh
Tax Intern | Clifton | 1.7.19
Rebecca Sheen Hu
Tax Intern | Clifton | 1.7.19
Mirella Arias
Tax Intern | Clifton | 1.7.19
Schoenstani Gil
Tax Intern | Clifton | 1.7.19
The following employees are no longer with the firm. We wish them the best in their future endeavors. Korbone Fong
A&A Senior Associate | Effective 11.26.18
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
NEW CLIENT WINS
ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Equion Financial
Frank Centrella
Jomarch Associates
Frank Centrella
Recom Trading
Josh Chananie
Stone Bridge
Mike Mongelli
Wright v. Wright
Megan Sartor
Schock USA
Vincent Gaspari
PRESS ROOM
Our Construction Industry Update Event was covered in NJBIZ. Read more here.
Matthew Hahn was featured in a Q&A with CRETech on the Dark Web and how important it is for a company to be proactive with their security. Read more here.
Susan Reed was featured in NJCPA Magazine with her article on Healthcare Reform and what it means for the industry. Read more here.
Stu Berger was featured in Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal with his article, "Reshaping Our Work Office: Is the Corner Office Dead?". Read more here.
Gives Back In an effort to drive our culture of giving, Sax offers team members a paid-time-off day to use for volunteering for charity. Sax's Volunteer PTO Code: 9812- Community Service
A number of Sax employees took advantage of their Volunteer PTO Day to serve a Thanksgiving meal to families in need through Oasis' holiday meal program. We thank them for their time and efforts in giving back to our local community.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Oasis – a Haven for Women and Children Thursday, December 20 | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM Description: Serving meals to those less fortunate. If you are interested in registering for a firm sponsored charity event, please email Jessica Peralta at jperalta@saxllp.com.
EVENTS CALENDAR
NOT-FOR-PROFIT EVENT
Thursday, December 13 | NJCDC | 8:00-11:00 AM Are you ready for new financial statements? Todd Polyniak will dive into the significant changes to a nonprofit’s financial statements and their implications. This workshop will help not-for-profits understand the changes and how to address them.
WELLNESS EVENT
Tuesday, December 18 | Sax Clifton Office | 1:00-2:00 PM Stress Reduction Tool Bag How do you know you are stressed? Do you recognize the symptoms? Explore the newest research and what experts are saying about good and bad stress. Participants will gain the tools to manage stress, including mindful communication.
FIRM EVENT
Tuesday, December 18 | Sax Clifton Boardroom | 5:00-6:30 PM White Elephant Gift Exchange Wrap up a gift that is either funny, useful or strange, and if you don't like what you get, you can change! $15 gift value. Food and beverages will be provided.
EVENTS CALENDAR
WELLNESS EVENT
Wednesday, December 19 | Sax Clifton Office | 1:00-2:00 PM Overcoming Burnout If you're feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of everyday work and home life, then this workshop focusing on the issues of burnout will help bring your life back into balance. Learn to identify the symptoms of burnout and explore strategies for coping with and avoiding burnout.
FIRM EVENT
Thursday, December 20 | The Venetian | 6:00-10:00 PM Sax's 2018 End of Year Holiday Party We hope to see everyone at our firm holiday party! Dinner and drinks will be provided, and we will be raffling off some awesome prizes!
December 3-19
Donations will benefit both the Arc of Essex and the NJCDC. Unwrapped gifts will be collected in the third floor kitchen in Clifton.
Suggested Donations Include: Nail Polish, Lotions, Beauty Supplies Hats, Scarves, Gloves Basketballs, Footballs Board Games, Cards Trucks, Dolls, Action Figures Gift Cards
Please see Cheryl Papay if you have any questions or to make a cash or check donation.
SAX TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS
Sax Technology Advisors held a DARK WEBinar and explained how the hidden universe is a threat to businesses. To much surprise, it was determined that 84% of attendees who requested a Dark Web scan of their company domain realized their domains were already compromised.
Watch the DARK WEBinar here
84%