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Accounting Students Recognized At Annual NYSSCPA Dinner

  • May 5, 2016
Accounting Students Recognized At Annual NYSSCPA Dinner

Several Niagara accounting students were recognized for academic excellence in accounting as part of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, Buffalo chapter annual awards dinner held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in Depew, N.Y., on April 19, 2016.

The purpose of the event is to honor the outstanding junior, senior, and graduate accounting students from the area’s colleges and universities, and also to provide a setting where professionals and students can network.

Joseph M. Falbo, ’91, partner with Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP and president of the NYSSCPA, served as the event’s keynote speaker.

“Joseph is an alumnus of Niagara and only the second CPA from Western New York to become NYSSCPA president in its 120-year history,” noted Vincent Agnello, professor of law and chair of the accounting department. “His message, directed to the student attendees, urged them to obtain their CPA license.  He encouraged everyone to get involved in the society and volunteer whenever possible. He explained that these will reward you financially as well as build a close network of friends that will last a lifetime.  He also shared a comment from his grandmother, ‘If you had a chance to help someone and you did not, you wasted a day.'”

Tyler Popiela, a Niagara graduate student, and Chanelle Ward, a senior, received the Award of Honor in recognition of outstanding achievements in accounting studies.

Popiela, from Orchard Park, N.Y., is a coordinator for NU’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)  program, and a tutor on campus. He will receive his master’s degree in May and will join Freed Maxick as a member of its enterprise advisory services division.

Ward is originally from San Diego, Calif., and plays for NU’s Division I women’s softball team. She will graduate in May with a bachelor of business administration in accounting and will work as an intern at Deloitte Tax in New York City this summer.

Kelly Coddington  received the John T. Kennedy Memorial Award for having the highest overall scholastic average for a junior majoring in accounting. She is also involved in the VITA program and is a member of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization created to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Also recognized at the dinner were Ed Hoefler and Matthew Peterson, who each received the FAE Excellence in Accounting $2,500 scholarships, and Shannon Truty, who received the NYSSCPA Buffalo Chapter scholarship of $2,500.

NYSSCPA also provided the opportunity for junior accounting students to attend the event. The Niagara students selected to attend this year’s event were Kelsey Braham, Toni Martinucci, Gino Paul, and Maria Sciarrino. Also in attendance representing the accounting department were faculty members Vincent Agnello, Dr. Lei Han, Al Oddo, and Joe Winter.