Advocating for Change

Ralph’s roots in advocating for CPAs and the accounting profession grow deep. To Ralph, it is a sense of accomplishment when organizations call on him and the NJCPA to ask, “What does your organization think?” Having that “seat at the table” is important to Ralph. And, aside from just being heard, he’s proud to back those sentiments up with data taken from member surveys and polls.

While first at the NJCPA, he supported many initiatives that helped improve CPA firm operations and client relations. As CEO, Ralph oversaw the advocacy efforts of the NJCPA, which included many legislative/regulatory victories such as the following: y Successfully advocating to get a provision removed from a medical malpractice bill that would have placed an annual $50 surcharge on the CPA license fee. (2003) y Governor Jon Corzine signing “mobility” legislation allowing CPAs licensed in other states to practice public accountancy in New Jersey without having to register here. (2008) y “Single sales factor” legislation being enacted. (2008) y Governor Corzine signing a bill extending the net operating losses

(NOL) carryforward period, which eased the tax burden on businesses by allowing them to carry NOLs forward for up to 20 years and mirroring federal tax code. (2009) y Governor Corzine signing an NJCPAsupported financial literacy bill that established a three-year program to provide financial literacy instruction for high school seniors in six public school districts. (2009) y Beating back the legislative initiative to adopt a sales tax on professional services. (2009) y Governor Christie signing legislation to phase out New Jersey’s estate tax. (2016)

Congratulations to NJCPA on 125 years of support to the industry and our best wishes to Ralph