UB School of Management recognizes accounting alumnus and students

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Steven Kreit ’90, audit partner at EisnerAmper LLP, has been named the 2014 Accountant of the Year by the University at Buffalo School of Management.

The UB School of Management’s Department of Accounting and Law honored Kreit at its annual awards banquet on May 1 at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.

Established in 1984, the award honors a graduate who has been successful in the accounting profession and made significant contributions to the School of Management and its students.

“Steve loves the School of Management, and he makes sacrifices to visit campus every year,” says Alex B. Ampadu, associate professor of accounting and law. “In addition to his long-term financial commitment, Steve personally recruits and interviews students for positions at EisnerAmper, and helps mold students through networking events and by speaking to student organizations and classes.”

Kreit, a CPA, has 20 years of experience auditing public companies and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. As audit partner at EisnerAmper, he works with clients from emerging startups to mature corporations across a variety of industries. An internal leader, he also spearheads the firm’s annual research report and serves as dean of its in-house Audit College of EisnerAmper University.

In addition, Kreit volunteers as treasurer for the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre in East Rockaway and serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission Practice Committee for the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Several School of Management students also received awards at the banquet.

The Narang (David) Kim Memorial Award, new this year, was given to Sammy DiSalvo ’14 of Greece in recognition of his strong leadership, willingness to help, outgoing nature, positive attitude and uplifting spirit. The award is presented to an outstanding Beta Alpha Psi member by other members of the student organization.

Louis Galarza ’14 of Hopewell Junction received the PricewaterhouseCoopers Outstanding Service Award, another new honor this year. The award is presented to a graduating senior who will continue into the Master of Science program, who has provided opportunities for development and service and encouraged a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility among Beta Alpha Psi members and professionals.

The New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) Award of Honor recognizes the graduating senior and graduating master’s student with the highest average grade in all accounting courses. The undergraduate recipient was Joshua Seward ’14 of Webster, and three graduate students tied for the honor: Jacqueline Krajacic ’13, MS ’14, of Williamsville; Amilyn Scott ’13, MS ’14, of Forestville; and Matthew Silver ’13, MS ’14, of Plainview.

The NYSSCPA also honored Alec Schon ’15 of Hauppauge with the John T. Kennedy Memorial Award, given to the junior accounting major with the highest overall scholastic average.

Jocelin Thomas ’14 of Buffalo received the Lisa Friedman Memorial Award, given to a graduating female student from the undergraduate program who is highly regarded by her peers as an accountant and friend.

Thomas also accepted the Michael S. Dockery Memorial Award, presented to the senior accounting student who has contributed in a superior way to the Institute of Management Accountants and to the accounting profession, fellow students and the School of Management.

Victoria Fortman ’13, MS ’14, of Grand Island received the Federation of Schools of Accountancy Award, given to a master’s student in accounting for academic achievement.

Anna McCullough ’13, MS ’14, of Lockport took home the Eddy Lin Memorial Award, given to a graduating student focusing on a career with a mid-size public accounting firm, who has actively mentored others, exhibited scholastic excellence and a passion for learning, and has a caring and fun attitude.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school also has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.