Schaffstall had the unique opportunity to complete two semesters of accounting before college, giving him a valuable head start and introduction to the field.

“At the time, I was considering physical therapy or accounting. The experience gave me a nice knowledge base before I even arrived on campus at the University at Buffalo,” he says. “It may have helped a bit that the accounting classes in high school were taught by my baseball coach.”

Once at UB, classes with such School of Management professors as Alex Ampadu and Ann Burstein Cohen strengthened his interest in the profession and gave him a foundation in tax.

“Accounting is really the language of business,” Schaffstall says. “The job itself is recession-proof, but beyond that, if you understand accounting — even if you end up in a finance role or owning your own business — you will have a solid knowledge base that will help you make decisions, no matter what direction your career takes.”

Schaffstall launched his career in tax accounting as a corporate franchise tax auditor for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Six years later, he left to become a senior tax manager at EY, specializing in state and local tax consulting. But, when faced with the possibility of relocating his young family during his time at EY due to the needs of the firm, he switched gears to stay in Buffalo and joined Ciminelli Development Co. as a tax manager.

“When I was at Ciminelli, I realized that private industry was not the same as public accounting. I am one of the rare people who love the pace of public accounting and constantly being challenged,” he says.

This realization prompted Schaffstall to join Buffalo-based accounting firm CTBK in 2005. He began as a tax manager, was named a partner of the firm in 2011 and now is responsible for federal and state tax matters for corporate and closely held companies. During his tenure, he has seen the firm grow from 52 to nearly 160 employees.

“The most rewarding part of my career has been the growth of our firm and the opportunities we have been able to provide for so many,” he says.

His expertise has also created opportunities to give back to the local community, serving as treasurer and on the executive committee for Habitat for Humanity for nine years.

“Accounting has opened so many doors for me. Every nonprofit organization board needs a treasurer or an accountant,” he says.

He also shares his time and expertise as chair of the UB School of Management’s Accounting Advisory Council, which assists the school and its Accounting and Law Department by providing external perspective and advocacy for programs and strategic priorities.

Schaffstall advises current students to cultivate skills beyond the numbers to build long-term trust with clients.

“A lot of people think of accountants as being behind a keyboard punching in numbers, but accounting is a relationship-driven business,” he says. “If students focus on putting themselves out there, building networks — whether it is on a volleyball team or at a book club — that will take them a long way.”

Written by Alexandra Richter