Wiss Gets Personal Archives - Wiss & Company, LLP

The Power of Reconnecting with Old Friends and Colleagues – Ted Lasso Style

Written on March 14, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Bill Haemmerle We all have those people in our lives that we lose touch with for one reason or another. They had a meaningful impact at a specific moment personally or professionally, but life gets in the way, time passes, and you lose your connection. It could be a mentor, a professor, a colleague, a friend, or a character on a television show. Yes, I said a character on a television show. If you read my previous blog on Ted Lasso, you will recognize that reference. My friend...

Advice From Working Mothers

Written on March 7, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

For many years, women have faced significant challenges in the workplace. They have struggled to advance their careers due to discriminatory practices, unequal pay, and a lack of access to opportunities. Additionally, women often face the difficult task of balancing work and family responsibilities, leading to a high burnout rate and limited career progression. However, supporting women in the workplace is essential to achieving gender equality and creating a more inclusive and diverse...

Honoring Black History Month: Rumbi Bwerinofa-Petrozzello

Written on February 27, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator As Black History Month comes to an end, we want to remind everyone to continue making efforts to acknowledge and take appropriate actions to help continue making progress in racial discrimination. We’ve highlighted several African American individuals to bring attention to their incredible stories; however, there are still so many people we could feature. To close out our blog series, we’re finishing strong with Rumbi Bwerinofa-Petrozzello...

Honoring Black History Month: Madam C.J. Walker

Written on February 17, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator Throughout Black History Month, we’ve shared stories of notable figures who have made a significant mark in the accounting and business fields. We continue to share these stories to shed light on African Americans’ struggles and remind us to speak up and act on them. This week, we highlight Madam C.J. Walker, one of the first African American females to become a millionaire. Similar to William Washington Browne, Walker was born...

Honoring Black History Month: William Washington Browne

Written on February 13, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator As we continue our Black History Month theme of recognizing African American individuals who have significantly impacted the accounting and business fields, we want to highlight the influential William Washington Browne. Nothing ever came easy for Browne; he was born into slavery from inheriting his parents’ unfortunate fate and relocated to a plantation near Memphis, Tennessee, after being sold to a horse trader at age eight. Browne...

Honoring Black History Month: Nathan T. Garrett

Written on February 10, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator Black History Month celebrates African Americans’ achievements and contributions to our country. Since the start of the month, we have recognized two influential individuals that have made a lasting impact in the accounting profession – Mary Thelma Washington and John Wesley Cromwell Jr. This week, we want to acknowledge Nathan Garrett, the first African American to open his accounting practice. Like most Black individuals who have...

Honoring Black History Month: Mary Thelma Washington

Written on February 7, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator To kick off our Black History Month blog series, we recognized the first African American CPA, John Wesley Cromwell, Jr. Next, we highlight the first female African American CPA, Mary Thelma Washington. As a young girl, Mary’s father, a carpenter, would often brag that his daughter could read the entire newspaper. At six years old, Washington moved to Chicago to live with her maternal grandparents because her mother had passed away and was...

Honoring Black History Month: John Wesley Cromwell, Jr.

Written on February 2, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator February marks an important time to recognize Black History and the notable figures that have significantly impacted American history for the better. Throughout the next several weeks, we will acknowledge the inspiring stories of African American individuals that have contributed to the accounting and business field. To start this blog series on a high note, we celebrate John Wesley Cromwell, Jr., the first African American ever to become...

The International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

Written on January 26, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Fred Komarow January 27th is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD). Since 2005, the UN and its member states have held commemoration ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. On November 1st, 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 60/7 to designate January 27th as International...

All About Chinese New Year

Written on January 20, 2023. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Hanna Clary Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday widely celebrated across Asia and among Asian communities. As the fresh start of the year, people celebrate unity and goodwill and usher in good fortunes such as wealth, wisdom, health, and happiness. This year, the holiday starts on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023. The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig are the twelve zodiac...

The Christmas Escape of 1854

Written on December 22, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Amanda Bowra Christmas Eve, 1854. At just 32 years old, runaway slave Harriet Tubman braved capture, torture, and death to return to her home in Maryland to rescue three of her brothers, Ben, Henry, and Robert from slavery. The brothers had attempted to escape with Harriet in the past, but unable to bear leaving their wives and children, they turned back to face their punishment. Now five years later, Harriet got news that the brothers were to be sold to new owners immediately...

Is Your Mission Working? Let’s look at the data

Written on December 13, 2022. Posted in General Business, Wiss Gets Personal.

By Paul Peterson In my previous post, I listed two missions without naming the organization they related to and asked you which one resonated more with you. Below are the actual ones with the entity included. Mission Statements USA Basketball sets out to encourage a culture of “basketball for life,” where whether as players, coaches, officials, or fans of the game, people will be inspired to continue their participation in the game in some way throughout their whole life. The Federation’s...

Customer Experience and the USA National Soccer Team

Written on December 8, 2022. Posted in General Business, Wiss Gets Personal.

By Paul Peterson It was a damp and grey Thursday afternoon on June 14, 1990. I convinced a college buddy of mine to join me in rushing to a bar in downtown South Orange as soon as class finished to watch the USA National Soccer team take on heavily favored Italy, in the host country of Italy, no less. Of course, beers would have to be on me. I played soccer my whole childhood, and this was the first time at the age of 19 that I would watch the USA team in a World Cup. American soccer...

Wiss Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Written on September 15, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latinx and Hispanic communities. Every year from September 15th to October 15th we appreciate and honor the colorful cultures, rich histories, and diversity of the American Latino community. The month-long celebration commemorates the significant contributions these communities have brought to the United States economy, culture, and society. This year’s theme, Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger...

Staying Focused on Long-Term Goals: Tips from Wiss

Written on July 15, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

The mid-year mark of 2022 is the perfect time to reflect on our New Year’s resolutions. It can be extremely challenging to stay on track with long-term goals when certain times of the year become busy and overwhelming. The dreariness of winter and the craziness of summer can throw off our goals for the new year. Wiss team members have shared their thoughts on how to stay vigilant in facing challenges to stay on track to reach your goals! Here are three ways you can stay true to...

Welcome to Wiss HQ!

Written on June 14, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

At Wiss, we’re rooted in accounting, but our focus is on elevating others and helping our clients succeed. That’s why when we moved into our new *office location in Florham Park, we purposefully created a more modern design space that would help us achieve our mission to serve and support others. Upon entering the office, you’re greeted by a reception desk that sits in front of a wall of stacked...

Pursuing the American Dream

Written on May 10, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Arnold Macalintal Whenever I think of grit, determination, and more importantly giving, I think of my father, Teofilo Macalintal. My father grew up in the municipality of Alitagag in the province of Batangas in the Philippines. The family didn’t have much growing up and being one of 12 children, there was even less to go around. He found himself running around with gangs in his younger days and had the fading tattoos on his hands to show for it. He could have easily stayed on...

Compassion During COVID: How Wiss Core Values Made a Difference

Written on February 14, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal, Wiss Gives Back.

Advocate, Impact, Care and Collaborate. These are the “four core ways” here at Wiss. These words are lived through everything we do within the walls of the office and beyond. They are how we define the culture of Wiss with our clients and our coworkers. I started my journey at Wiss in April of this past year and have seen these four core ways in action consistently. It is evident that Wiss has a unique culture that transcends the typical workplace. It is ingrained in the people here...

Wiss Celebrates Black History Month

Written on February 1, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

by Michelle Antico, Marketing Coordinator This February, we’d like to take the time to recognize Black History Month and the impact African Americans have had in the accounting field. As citizens of America, it is within the people’s hands to continue creating a home of equality for every race, ethnicity, and culture. Therefore, while it is important to recognize all the major milestones the African American community has hit in accounting, it is also crucial to spread awareness...

Reflecting on 2021: Jeremy Offsey

Written on December 28, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

We’d love to hear your highlights and significant moments from 2021. What are some standouts for you—for better or for worse—reflecting on the year? Definitely coming here. I started at Wiss in July this year. It’s scary changing jobs. It’s been an awesome fit and an exciting change. I was supposed to get married in 2020. We weren’t able to plan our wedding like we wanted to. It was frustrating. Just after we put down our deposit, Covid hit. We had a backyard Zoom wedding. I couldn’t...

Reflecting on 2021: Meryl Dorais

Written on December 22, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal, Wiss Gives Back.

This December we’re taking stock of the year that’s passed and sharing stories of the ups, the downs, and everything in between. Meryl, could you take us through some of your highlights and insights from 2021? Meryl: 2021 in a nutshell: a lot happened! One major change for me professionally this year was switching from Audit to Advisory at Wiss. I had been in Audit for four years since leaving Ramapo college. I didn’t want to leave Wiss, but I wanted to see what other options were...

Reflecting on 2021: Namrita Singh

Written on December 17, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

We’d love to hear about moments during this past year that were meaningful for you. What are some standouts for you—for better or for worse—reflecting on 2021? Being able to work flexibly has made a huge positive impact for me. I moved back home with my parents this year, and I’ve been able to spend more time with them than I ever thought I would again. My parents are immigrants and we don’t have any family close to us so being able to spend all this extended time with them has...

Nicole DeRosa on Leadership, Opening Doors, and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Written on December 9, 2021. Posted in Tax, Wiss Gets Personal.

Nicole DeRosa, Senior Tax Manager at Wiss, sits down with Wiss Marketing to share her story. Could you tell us a little bit about your background? Personally, I have always gravitated toward math and science so I knew it was likely that I’d end up doing something in that general arena. In my junior year in high school, I took an accounting class and knew at that point that I wanted to be an Accountant. Unusual, I know because back then, the stigma of ‘an accountant’ was so “un-cool”...

Reflecting on December: Chirag Sharma

Written on December 8, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

This December, we’re taking a moment to look back on the past 12 months and reflect. It’s been a big year, with ups and downs. What have been your highlights and insights of 2021? Chirag Sharma: I don’t usually stop to reflect, so I appreciate this! OK, here goes! Highlight number 1 was passing the first level of my CFA. I took it in May, and received the results at the end of July. That’s just level 1; I’m currently studying for levels 2 and 3. Just getting over that level 1 hurdle...

Gaining a Higher Purpose Through Giving Back

Written on November 29, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal, Wiss Gives Back.

Tax Assistant, Joanne Spencer, discusses the power of giving back to the community. In what ways do you give back? Joanne: Much of what I do to give back to the community comes from my own life experiences, as well as my being a member of Union Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ, where I serve on the church’s Ministerial Team. Giving needn’t be faith-based. In fact, for many people, their life experiences have had a great bearing on how they have responded to others’ needs within the...

Bringing People Joy, One Belly Rub and Paw Shake at a Time

Written on November 22, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal, Wiss Gives Back.

Above: Daisy, Louie, Jack and Chase. “If people could take one thing away from interacting with my dogs, I hope to think it’s the feeling that they are loved; that there are people, as well as animals, out there that are there for them.” It’s Giving & Gratitude month at Wiss. How do you give back? As a family, we decided to have all our dogs certified to become therapy dogs. To be certified as a therapy dog, each of our pets must be trained and pass a Canine Good Citizen Test...

Doing Better and Being Better: An Interview with Christopher Cowan, Partner

Written on November 8, 2021. Posted in Construction, Wiss Gets Personal, Wiss Gives Back.

Chris, you’re passionate about giving back to the community. Can you tell us more about that? We’re not here without the support of our communities. I believe we really have a moral obligation to give back. It’s an obligation of ours to leverage the voice and respect that we have within the community, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. I’ve always wanted to do better and be better. I give back whenever I can and try to encourage others to do the same. “I’ve always...

Be Who You Are, and You’ll Get to Where You Want to Be

Written on October 25, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Amanda Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer at Wiss, sits down with the Marketing Team to talk about her ever-evolving career. Is there someone you look up to as a leader? Amanda: In his famous work, The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran says on teaching, “If he [the teacher] is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.” I’m thinking of someone I’ve worked with – a mentor, leader and friend who encapsulated this very...

A Company’s Success Depends on its Humanity

Written on October 18, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Marketing Associate, Harriet Levenston, sits down with Managing Partner at Wiss, Paul Peterson, to discuss his take on what’s at the heart of a healthy company. Harriet: Hi Paul. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. Paul: Absolutely! You lead the firm’s long-term strategy and help create an environment where employees can flourish. What was the path like getting here? When I first started out, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do—public accounting, industry, etc....

Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope featuring Isaiah Torres, Litigation Associate

Written on October 12, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Wiss employees Eddy Alay, Omar Francisco Pérez, Jonathan Suarez and Isaiah Torres share their stories in light of Hispanic Heritage Month, a period that formally celebrates the immeasurable contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to US economy, culture and society. The theme of this year’s Hispanic History month is Esperanza (Hope). What are you most hopeful of in terms of Hispanic and Latinx representation in the workforce, today and in the future? Isaiah Torres: A recognition...

A Powerful Message About Mental Health

Written on October 11, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Ashley Zadlock, People Operations Senior Specialist, sits down with Marketing Associate, Harriet Levenston, to bravely share her personal account of dealing with mental health challenges, and her experience of “work-life integration” at Wiss. Harriet: Thank you for courageously shining a light on mental health. Ashley: I previously shared my story internally. Today, I want to share my story externally because I want those who may be considering working at Wiss to know that they would...

Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope featuring Jonathan Suarez, CPA

Written on October 5, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope featuring Omar Perez, CPA

Written on September 28, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope featuring Eddy Alay, Tax Associate

Written on September 23, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

In this series, Wiss employees Eddy Alay, Omar Francisco Pérez, Jonathan Suarez and Isaiah Torres share their stories in light of Hispanic Heritage Month, a period that formally celebrates the immeasurable contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to US economy, culture, and society. The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage month is Esperanza (Hope). What are you most hopeful of in terms of Hispanic and Latinx representation in the workforce, today and in the future? Eddy...

Women in Leadership at Wiss

Written on July 22, 2021. Posted in Family Office, Wiss Gets Personal.

Marketing Associate, Harriet Levenston, sits down with Stephanie Hughes, CEO of Wiss Family Office, to talk success, resilience, and motherhood. “We feel fortunate as women, as mothers, and as leaders, to work for a firm that values balance, and understands that employee wellbeing correlates with productivity.” Harriet: Hi Stephanie. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with me about your personal background and where you are today, professionally. Stephanie:...

Stranger in a Strange Land

Written on July 1, 2021. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Adrienne Moscinski Every one of us has a story. A bit of truth that we tuck away from new eyes. A gaze that we aren’t quite sure of yet. We swim around the unknown looking for the light, where we can finally share who we are – our truth. Interviewing at a new company can be daunting. Poised with a crisp resume in hand, you present your best face. In a tailored suit, you search for the right words to let your personality shine through, while assuring the interviewer that you are...

An Interview with Taylor Parker, P.E., Branch Manager at Bohler

Written on June 23, 2021. Posted in Engineering, General Business, Wiss Gets Personal.

International Women in Engineering Day is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of female engineers. At Wiss, we’re privileged to work with clients like Bohler who support and recognize the importance of women’s contributions in this industry. Taylor Parker, P.E., Branch Manager at Bohler’s Miami office, shares what inspired her to pursue a career in Engineering and what it takes to succeed and stand out in a traditionally male-dominated profession. What sparked...

The Lasso Way: Management Lessons from Ted Lasso

Written on December 1, 2020. Posted in Uncategorized, Wiss Gets Personal.

By William Haemmerle, Director of Transaction Advisory Services There are certain people we meet throughout our lives that we know will change us forever. They encourage us to become a better version of ourselves. I recently met one of those people while watching the first season of Ted Lasso on AppleTV. Yes, I said watching a television show! Beginning with the 2013-2014 season, NBC acquired the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. The network ran promotional commercials...

How our Wiss Team Members Decompress During Busy Season

Written on March 26, 2019. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Wiss Associate While in the midst of busy season, it’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Early mornings, late nights, sacrificing weekends – it’s the life of an accountant: working endlessly January through April (and let’s not forget August through October) to make sure our clients are well taken care of. So, who takes care of the accountants while they’re deep in the trenches? While here at Wiss we do our best to create a fun and inviting atmosphere, encouraging...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 12: Paul Lembo

Written on December 21, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

When you hear about self-care, the first things that usually come to mind are exercising, spending time with family and friends and other types of activities that make you feel at peace. Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out with my daughter just as much as the next dad, maybe more. I also try very hard to be in the gym 4-5 days a week. However, there is one hobby that I participate in which most people probably don’t think of when they talking about self-care. In fact, I am willing...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 11: Laura Grigoriew

Written on December 20, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

In this fast paced world that we live in it is far too easy to forget about self-care. As the holiday season and year end approaches, the to-do lists are only getting longer which is why I love working for a company who cares about prioritizing self-care on that list! When I think of self-care, I think of the pre-flight safety cards that stress the importance of putting your own oxygen mask on first. My favorite form of self-care is backcountry camping. Day hikes are great for a...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 10: Floriana Allen

Written on December 19, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

I have many way that I de-compress after a stressful day at work. I love being outdoors and being physically active and I am very lucky that my family wants to participate. We go for long bike rides, take our dog for a walk, play basketball, play soccer, go swimming, etc. There is something about the fresh air outside that rejuvenates and energies us as the same time creating memorable memories. I really enjoy cooking with my family. My daughter especially loves assisting me and...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 9: Carol Mott

Written on December 18, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived and with it most often comes the most stressful time of year! Especially during this time of year, we need self-care or as I like to refer to it “me” time. This does not come easy for me. It’s something I need to make a conscious effort to do. One way I practice self-care is by exercising. Sometimes I may do it alone and other times I’ll do it with a friend. Either way, I always feel better after doing it. Spending time with my girlfriends...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 8: Jill Clancy

Written on December 17, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. It has so much magic, a peaceful glow of love surrounds it. The joy and memories it brings to my family is everlasting. With that being said please don’t think my home looks like it came out of a HGTV Christmas Special! I have never been an overall “Martha Stewart” type of person. In that I mean, I can cook with the best of them but when it comes to crafts, decorating and gift wrapping I fall short. So I play to my strengths, shopping and cooking. Shopping...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 7: Jay Jenco

Written on December 11, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Self-care is important, and it’s something that is easy to under prioritize in our busy lives. We spend most of the day working and doing things for others, and it’s important to take care of yourself. There are a few activities I do in order unwind and relax. Every day, I take my dog on long walks/runs early in the morning and late at night. This is time I use to clear my head, listen to music, catch up on podcasts, think or nothing at all. It’s my time alone (with the dog), and...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 4: Lauren Stella

Written on December 11, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year, even though I often feel some stress in those last days of trying to find the perfect gift! During the holidays, or any stressful time, I have a few favorite activities that I lean on for self-care. The first, and most helpful, is spending time with my fiancé and our families. I am extremely family-oriented and always do my best to spend as much time with family as I can. I can always depend on my fiancé for a good laugh, my parents and...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 6: Lexie Chen

Written on December 10, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Self-care is extremely important, especially in an industry like ours. As such, I try to do everything in my power to ensure that my work/life balance is in check. During the off seasons, when I have more time to myself, I try to unwind by doing the things that I love: eating good food, spending time with the people I care about, travelling and trying to find new and exciting adventures in the area and abroad! I love to try different cuisines with my family and friends and living...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 5: David Singletary

Written on December 7, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

I have many ways in which I can unwind after a stressful day at work. From exercise to cooking, a lot of my favorite things to do also help me relax. Working out, keeps me energized and feeling good. With all the to-dos we have during the day, it’s an easy one to check off the list. When the weather is nice, I like to take walks, either at work around the building or at home through my neighborhood. It’s always nice to stop and smell the roses when things get hectic. I also always...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 1: Steve Nation

Written on December 3, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Self-care to me is making good decisions, living a healthy and active lifestyle and spending time with family and friends. This starts with making good food choices, foods that are low in carbs, starches and fat. Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely some pizza going down but it’s in moderation. Living an active lifestyle is important. I do group fitness classes with my wife; it’s fun to spend time together and push each other. I also lift weights and walk for miles wearing a...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 2: Michael Suserman

Written on December 3, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

If the question what do I do for self-care was asked to me two years ago, my answer would instantly be: sports, sports, and sports. Playing sports, watching sports, and talking about sports has always taken my mind off everything and has helped me find a peace of mind as this is mostly all I did growing up. But two years later, if you asked me the same question, the number one factor in my self-care is someone who means everything to me in my life, my nephew, Justin. I never knew...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 3: Mary Pratt

Written on December 3, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

For me the best way to de-stress, unclutter the mind and strengthen the body is to take a hike out in the woods. It’s so peaceful to be away from everything, phone off (normally…lol), enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. There are plenty of beautiful places nearby so there’s always somewhere different to go, but I do have a favorite short hike that I do often. I’m looking forward to a snowy winter as it puts a whole new perspective on things! I enjoy hiking alone when I need...

Summer Spotlight: Joanne Spencer Goes to Puerto Rico for Mini Mission Trip

Written on September 5, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

When Tax Assistant, Joanne Spencer, is not working or studying for her Master’s in Divinity at Drew University, she finds time to volunteer. She recently had an opportunity to take a long weekend to help with Hurrican relief in Puerto Rico. Joanne sought out this opportunity after taking a course in Educational Ministry for her Master’s, in which she chose to focus on Puerto Rican history and culture. With the knowledge from that class and the recent events of Hurricane Maria,...

Summer Spotlight: Kelsey Silverstein Soaks up the Antigua Sun

Written on August 27, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Kelsey Silverstein, Talent Development Associate, spent a week in St. Mary’s Parish, Antigua vacationing with her mom and sister. The trip was in celebration of Kelsey’s recent graduation from Rutgers University as well as her sister’s graduation from Concordia College’s Master’s Program. With school completed, the girls were excited to destress. They took full advantage of the all-inclusive resort by jet skiing, sail boating and snorkeling. Despite all of...

Summer Spotlight: Pat Gianforte Explores Northwest America!

Written on August 21, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Pat Gianforte, Senior Associate, takes outdorsy trip to Montana! This summer Pat Gianforte took a trip to Bozeman Montana to visit with his cousin. He spent time hiking, camping and visiting local breweries. The highlight of the trip was hiking through the Bridger Moutain Range all the way to Sacagawea Peak. At the top, not only was there a beautiful view of all the Gallatin Valley, but also mountain goats. There are many great breweries around Bozeman including Bozone Brewery,...

Summer Spotlight: Matt Barbieri Takes On Iceland!

Written on August 16, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Partner, Matt Barbieri, takes advantage of his summer with several trips and fun activities! When he is not at work, coaching baseball or football, making wine or watching dance recitals, Matt finds time for vacation with his family and friends. This summer he took a 5-day trip to Iceland with his wife as well as a trip to the Outer Banks with both family and freinds. One of the many highlights of his trip to Iceland was the beautiful Blue Lagoon. He also enjoyed the food especially...

Summer Spotlight: Paul Peterson’s Scottish Adventure!

Written on August 9, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Managing Partner, Paul Peterson, Heads to Scotland! Paul and his family took a week-long trip to Scotland. From its beautiful blue oceans to its abundant history, Scotland was an amazing trip for the Petersons. Paul’s favorite spots were the Isle of Skye, home to a picturesque fishing village, and Gleneagles, a luxurious hotel, spa and golf resort. Paul was pleasantly surprised with the high-quality cuisine, saying that the fish was fresh, the coffee was rich and carrot...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 12: Lesya Kostyuk

Written on December 22, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Among Ukrainians, the most beloved of all festivities is Christmas, which covers a cycle of important feast days, all centering around the family. The main event is the evening meal called “Holy Supper” (Svyata Vechera). According to the custom, all members of the family should be present that night for a family reunion. Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated on January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar. Many people wonder why the Ukrainian date is thirteen days later and only a...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 11: Cami Sia

Written on December 21, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Romanian Christmas is filled with traditions, superstitions and customs transmitted from generation to generation. Family, food, caroling and traditional outfits (picture below depicts traditional outfits from Transylvania) can be found in each corner of Romania, especially at the country side where customs are more preserved. I am from Transylvania and, for me, the excitement of Christmas begins on December 5th. This is the day every child...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 10: Fu Fu

Written on December 20, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

One of the most traditional festivals in China, which is the Mid-Autumn festival, which is celebrated August 15th on the lunar calendar. When you look at the sky at that day, the moon is round, which symbolizes harmony and reunion in Chinese culture. On this particular day, people get together with their families to spend time and enjoy the full moon together. The tradition is to eat the mooncakes, which is a Chinese dessert in a round shape. That’s the symbol of Mid-Autumn festival....

12 Days of Traditions – Day 9: Joanne Spencer

Written on December 19, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Each year as the season approaches, I have a few traditions that bring out the holiday spirit in me. The first tradition I’d like to share is that I go downtown to Montclair and Newark dressed in an elf hat and deliver gospel tracts with candy canes. I also bake holiday cookies and take them to Penn Station. My second favorite tradition is helping out those in need around this time of year, so I buy and wrap gifts for those who don’t have a roof over their head. I will gift hats,...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 8: Mike Marin

Written on December 17, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Christmas traditions can vary all around the world, but celebrating the holidays outside of your own country, or 3,000 miles away from the rest of your family can be overwhelming and a different experience. During the holidays, many of us realize the importance of keeping our traditions in order to build strong family relationships that will then be passed on to future generations. In my beautiful country, Colombia, Christmas celebrations start on December 7, a day known as “El...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 7: Judy DeJesus

Written on December 15, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

In Puerto Rico, the Christmas celebrations start early! We call Christmas Eve “Nochebuena,” and that’s when my family gathers to eat traditional foods of lechón asado (roasted pork) and pasteles (similar to tamales), arroz con dulce and our famous Coquito! We usually sit around and sing Alguinardos, what we call Christmas Songs. My family celebrates through Dia de Los Reyes, (Three Kings Day on January 6th) and that’s when the kids receive their Christmas presents. On the eve...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 6: Jonssen Angbetic

Written on December 14, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Filipinos have always been superstitious, especially when it comes to the holiday seasons, and the New Year brings a lot of superstitious beliefs into action. One of these beliefs/traditions is preparing what we call the “six bowls of blessings,” for a lack of a better term. It consists of a tray with six containers/bowls of different items. Each item has a different meaning for the upcoming new year: Rice – An abundance in food, in hopes that we will never go hungry Sugar –...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 5: Ruth Raftery

Written on December 13, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

A Christmas Eve Tradition Growing up in a Carpatho-Rusyn Family and attending a Russian Orthodox Church – Christmas Eve Dinner (called the Holy Supper) was full of symbolism and ethnic traditions. First, the entire day was a strict fast day. That meant no meat or dairy was allowed. The Supper consisted of 12 foods (no meat or dairy), symbolic of the 12 Apostles. Foods included Kesalicha (a thick soup made with oats – that my cousin and I referred to as wallpaper paste), pierogi...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 4: Jenna Sanfilippo

Written on December 12, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Growing up I was always that little kid who drove my family nuts around the holidays. Either it was making a list for Santa that was taller than me or the Christmas Eve nights where I forced my sister to stay up and stake out the living room to catch Santa in the act. Even though, at the time, my family wanted to tie me up to make sure I wasn’t getting into any trouble, those are the silly memories that we always reminisce on each and every Christmas holiday! Since I was a baby,...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 3: Chrissy Giamanco

Written on December 11, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is one that our family looks forward to each year. It is not my personal family (Giamanco) tradition, but rather one that developed when my brother married his wife in 1982. My brother was in the Navy stationed in Virginia Beach and spent several weeks and months out to sea. During that time, funds were limited, so my sister-in-law started making Christmas ornaments to gift to our entire family. It started the first year, became her family tradition,...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 2: Taylor Kolbeck

Written on December 8, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Let me preface this by saying I love the holidays. Everything from the tree, music, lights, food, and most of all family. I even love Christmas movies. Not just any Christmas movies, but the B-rated ones with bad acting that they play on the Hallmark channel on the weekends. I think my love for this time of year comes from my grandma who I will reference as Nana from here on out, as she is way too cool to be just a grandma. While our tradition may not be unique, it is one that I...

12 Days of Traditions – Day 1: Andrea Saenz

Written on December 7, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

My personal traditions include kicking off the holiday season as early as Thanksgiving. I join my church in collecting items that would make for a great Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, even including a Turkey! We put it all together and deliver each basket to families in need. Below is a picture of some of the baskets we were able to put together. During the month of December, I gather with my church to put on our Santa Hats and hit the streets! We set up a stand and...

Wiss: Where Family Comes First

Written on August 29, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By: Fatima Wallizadeh, former Audit Staff member Life never prepares you for a loss. When a personal tragedy suddenly pierced my family and I, it was one of the toughest experiences we have ever encountered. Unfortunately, this tragedy occurred in the midst of busy season at Wiss, the most frenzied and exigent time of year at any accounting firm. Now not only would I have to cope with the tragedy—I would have to steady the myriad responsibilities that occur during this period on...

Wiss’ Trailblazing Female Figures: Celebrating National Women’s History Month

Written on August 25, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By: Danielle Patton, former Marketing Intern The observance of National Women’s Equality Day not only celebrates the adoption of the 19th Amendment, but commemorates women’s remarkable and courageous efforts towards absolute equality in the workforce and all aspects of life. To honor this historic day, we would like to highlight Ugochi Oguh, an Audit Senior and inspiration leader at Wiss. Ugochi has a vast history of stimulating diversity and helping nonprofits conquer their financial...

The Power of Language: How Words Can Transform Your Perception

Written on July 18, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Wiss Employee The connection between language, words, emotions and self can transform the reality within which you live. If your goal is to be resilient, confident, successful in achieving goals and able to overcome obstacles, start by taking responsibility for the words you use and the phrases that shape your thoughts. What language makes up the beliefs in yourself? Become more aware of your vocabulary and intentionally focus on life-giving, instead of self-diminishing, words. Here...

From Collator to Colorado

Written on July 5, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Connor Doyle Hindsight is 20/20, but sometimes it takes time to get the full picture. My story begins at college graduation. I was bright eyed, bushy tailed, and without a job. One of my top accounting firm choices, Wiss & Company, had just turned me down for an internship. After an overly anxious two months, a last minute drop from the temporary positions in the Wiss tax department opened up with what I came to know as one of the most unglamorous jobs in accounting. I took...

The Language of Success

Written on June 6, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Wiss Employee Picture yourself hiking in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Miles of warm, red soil stretch out in front of you, dotted by jagged rocks and sporadic cacti. In the distance the sharp ridges of a mountain range catch the sun. What words would you use to build out this scene? Unwelcoming? Desolate? Foreboding? Beautiful? Wonderous? Tranquil? The words that come to mind have a physical effect on your brain and a powerful effect on your behaviors, feelings and actions. Brain...

Advice for Accounting Newbies: Words of Wisdom for Future Staff 1’s

Written on May 9, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Danielle Patton, former Marketing intern Stepping into a brand new position in the accounting industry can be both exciting and intimidating. Even if you have acquired internships in the past, clocking in on your first official day as a Staff 1 will unlock access to a completely divergent domain full of new experiences and opportunities. To prepare yourself, here is some inspirational advice from our very own Wiss team, sharing some pointers on how to make your Staff 1 experience...

The Impact of One’s Actions

Written on December 23, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Paul Peterson This is a story about how an individual’s actions can have an immense impact on others. Let’s be real, as a white male with blonde hair (albeit getting darker with age) and blue eyes, I am one of the least diverse people in my office. The only time I may get a second glance at being diverse is after a bad sunburn. So for me, I want to take the opportunity to share with you a period of time in my life that shaped me and provide you with a better understanding of why...

Using Resilience to Overcome a Bad Habit

Written on December 21, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Ajay Parikh I was fifteen years old when I somehow picked up the habit of smoking. One night, as I was outside my home with friends smoking, I spotted my older brother from twenty feet away, walking in my direction. As soon as he passed me I quickly crushed the burning cigarette in my hand, forming a visible burn on my right palm. But little did I know, I had already been caught. No one had ever smoked in my family before and I was the first person to ever try it, so I was nervous...

Stranger in a Strange Land

Written on December 20, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Life is Short. Live it Right; Leave it Fulfilled

Written on December 19, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Diana Miller We all have stories. How profound is yours? How fulfilling is yours? When your time is up, will you leave behind a story people will remember that you are proud of? So here begins my story . . . I was raised in the United States by two immigrant parents, in a non-English speaking household. My father had an 8th-grade education, and my mother only completed 6th grade. I grew up being told you should stay home, cook, clean, be a good wife to your husband, and raise...

Choosing Your Own Path

Written on December 16, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Brittney Neal I was born and raised in Ohio. Around the time of my sixteenth birthday my parents and I had to move to upstate New York due to the threat of my dad losing his job. Unfortunately, a few years after moving and settling my dad was laid off again. Fast forward a few months later, he was thankfully able to find a job in New Jersey, and we have been in this lovely state ever since. For me, moving was a time of fear and excitement. I was scared to leave behind all my...

My Sister’s Keeper

Written on December 15, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Lori Graham Everyone is capable of inspiring others. I was born into a situation that took me a long time to accept and understand the purpose of it all and while I learned how to make the best of it, but that didn’t come easily. Ultimately, life is a gift; however, it doesn’t always feel that way. From the start everyone is given a deck of cards and it is up to you to choose how to deal with them and find your own happiness. I am not resilient; I’m learning to be resilient....

Divorce from a Young Adult’s Perspective

Written on December 14, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Jack Tawil It happens more than 50% of the time; it happens for many reasons; its emotional result spares few; its societal brand is understood, but a brand nonetheless; it’s happened to me and has possibly in some way happened to you: it’s divorce. I was a freshman in college thinking, “How can the day get any worse after receiving my worst graded exam since third grade spelling?”. A random phone call from my father instantly set off a trigger. Was it my sick grandma, my brother...

Making a Conscious Effort to Choose Happiness

Written on December 13, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Carrie Grotz I think I was born a worrier. I used to worry about everything and anything, especially about things out of my control: things that I thought would happen and especially the worry about what others thought about me. I’ve since learned that worry was a big waste of time and caused me low self-esteem and self-confidence. As the years went on, things happened that broke my heart. I lost my grandmother who I was very close to. I loved my mother more than anything in the...

The Hidden Cost of Assimilation

Written on December 12, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Shelley Lazarescu My story is one of many Asian American experiences. My parents came to the U.S. with $5,000 in cash and no knowledge of the English language or customs. They uprooted our family from Taiwan due to tensions with China. Through extreme hard work and unlimited sacrifice, they created opportunities to build a better life for my sister and I. We hardly took any vacations but when we did travel, it was back to Taiwan for funerals to pay respects to our family. During...

My True Self: A Story of Acceptance and Change

Written on December 9, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Joel Bockhorn When I was younger, both in Middle and High School, coming to terms with my true identity was a serious challenge. I wanted to have a happy and successful future, but based on what I had come to understand about myself, I feared I wouldn’t have the opportunity to live the future that I wanted, or even have the same privileges that others had. Near the end of my time in Middle School, I had figured out that I was gay. It was something that although I knew was true,...

Developing Resiliency – Are You a Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean?

Written on December 8, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Kimberly Bustamante A young woman spoke with her mother about how hard things were for her in her life. As soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose. She did not know how she was going to make it. She wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. Her mother took her to the kitchen and filled three pots with water, placing each on a high fire. The pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second – eggs, and in the last she placed ground...

Millennials: One word to describe us, but we’re not all the same

Written on October 20, 2015. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Abby Blecker, Former Marketing Intern The term “millennial” is not only a noun pertaining to a specific age group, but a trending buzzword that has been permeated with assumptions about personal preferences in our interests, career goals, and culture. I have personally come to dislike the word, as I find I am continually lumped into a large group almost solely based on age. I have found our age dictates an assumed culture we all want to have in our working life. ...

Miracle on the Diamond – A Wiss Softball Tale

Written on August 4, 2015. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Wiss Associate In the now famous 1980 Winter Olympics, the United States Olympic Ice Hockey Team played host to the Soviet Union Nationals. The Soviet team arrived in Lake Placid riding the tailwind of four consecutive Gold Medals, dating all the way back to 1964. At the time of the 1980 Winter Games, the Soviets hadn’t placed anything below 1st in nearly two decades. In contrast, the US National hockey team consisted of amateur and collegiate players that coach Herb Brooks scrabbled...

When I Came to America: A Kickball Tale

Written on July 23, 2015. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Wiss Associate Walking into the Indoor Sports Pavilion in Randolph, you could just tell there was a different atmosphere. The air was crisper, water fountain water was colder, and the staff was more indifferent than I’ve ever seen them in my 5 year history with the building. Sporting our overused-yet-still-trendy “Keep Calm and Kick Balls” slogan t-shirts, Wiss was loose and in high spirits. Some of us reminisced on years previous and fallen teammates, others went out to practice...

My Journey to RESULTS!

Written on May 28, 2015. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Diana Miller As a leader in the field of public accounting, I partner with clients to find solutions to even the most challenging problems while overseeing the direction and strategy of my own team. As a CPA, I work together with organizations to achieve business solutions which optimize each organization’s potential based on their own unique strengths. I am dedicated to empowering individuals to make a difference and build rewarding successes, which is why I’d like to share...

Seize that Opportunity!

Written on April 23, 2015. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Diana Miller When asked if I’d be interested in co-authoring an anthology book called “Results! – Impactful Solutions to Drive Business”, my first thought was “Is this something I can do?” Immediately, I stopped my “old Diana” thinking and said “Of course I can and I should take this opportunity.” Too often we let opportunities like this pass us by, and my word of advice would be, if you are truly passionate about achieving a goal you must believe in yourself,...

A Means to an End

Written on March 12, 2015. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Dylan D’Alessio For most of us, a week vacation to an island or the beach is what we look forward to; but for Erin Silkowski and her family, the week they spend volunteering to help others is the best vacation they could ask for. Erin Silkowski is a Staff Associate here at Wiss. Each summer, Erin and her family participate in the Appalachian Service Project, an organization dedicated to building warmer, safer and drier homes for those who live below the poverty line in...

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