Storch recognized as Accountant of the Year, exceptional students honored

Storch.

By Katherine Paladino

Adam Storch, BS ’02, was named Accountant of the Year for 2025 by the UB School of Management’s Accounting and Law Department.

Established in 1984, the Accountant of the Year award honors an alumnus who has been successful in the accounting profession and made significant contributions to the school and its students. Storch accepted the honor at the department’s annual awards banquet in May.

Since graduating from the School of Management, Storch has built a diverse and high-impact career across both public service and the private sector. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte, Goldman Sachs and Marsh McLennan and now serves at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. At the SEC, Storch established and leads the Event and Emerging Risks Examination Team, which proactively engages with financial firms about emerging threats and current market events and quickly mobilizes to provide expertise and resources when critical matters arise — including market participants’ use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

His keynote speech emphasized curiosity, continuous learning and doing the right thing, highlighting how nontraditional paths can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Storch has been a dedicated and involved alumnus over the course of his career. He is active on the UB Accounting Advisory Council, currently serving as chair of the curriculum committee. He also has helped recruit UB students throughout various stages of his career and has guest lectured to student groups on UB’s campus and in the New York City area. In addition, Storch has mentored students in both group and one-on-one settings, including through his participation in the Accounting Advisory Council Mentorship Program.

Honoring outstanding students

In addition to celebrating Storch’s accomplishments, the Accounting and Law Department also lauded many exceptional students at its annual awards banquet. The students and the awards they received were:

  • Shaniyah Scott, the PwC Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes a role model in Beta Alpha Psi who demonstrates inclusive and collaborative thinking, a positive attitude and a drive for professional and personal development.
  • Ai Wei Zheng, the PwC Outstanding Service Award, given to a graduating senior and Beta Alpha Psi member who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership.
  • Ai Wei Zheng, the David Kim Memorial Award, presented to a Beta Alpha Psi member who promotes inclusivity by exhibiting strong leadership, a willingness to help and an outgoing, uplifting nature.
  • Candy Zou, the EY Community Impact Award, given to a member in good standing of the UB Accounting Association (UBAA) who aspires towards active citizenship in the Buffalo community, as evidenced through their involvement with the VITA program. They are committed to giving back to the community by using their technical accounting skills to assist low-income residents in completing their income tax returns.
  • Herah Musa, the EY Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, given to a member in good standing of the UBAA who goes above and beyond to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for UBAA members and students in general. They are an advocate for others, fostering both success and belonging for everyone in the club.
  • Shawn Frans, the EY Transformational Leadership Award, given to a member in good standing of the UBAA who is invested in actively mentoring and coaching others and is a role model for their peers. They are a positive influence, connecting with others and lifting them up with their advice and support.
  • Christopher Kerr, the EY Outstanding Involvement Award, given to a member in good standing of the UBAA who has been actively seeking out personal and professional development opportunities through their participation in UBAA initiatives and events. They are highly motivated, curious and dedicated to furthering their growth in numerous facets.
  • Eleanor Usen, the Eddy Lin Memorial Award, presented to a graduating student focusing on a career with a mid-sized public accounting firm. The recipient must mentor others and exhibit scholastic excellence, a passion for learning, and a caring and fun attitude.
  • Shawn Frans and Morgan Stockmeyer, the New York State Society of CPAs Award of Honor, given to graduating bachelor’s and master’s students, respectively, for scholastic excellence.
  • Ai Wei Zheng, the Lisa Friedman Memorial Award, which honors a female accounting senior who is highly regarded by her peers for her integrity and potential contributions to the profession.
  • Christopher Kerr, the New York State Society of CPAs John T. Kennedy Memorial Award, given to a junior accounting major for scholastic excellence.
  • Trey Kubitz, the Accounting and Law Outstanding Fifth-Year Student Award, presented to a student in the fifth year of a 150-hour program based on academic performance and service.
  • Shawn Frans, the University at Buffalo Accounting Association Michael S. Dockery Memorial Senior Award, given to a graduating UBAA member who has provided exemplary leadership and service to the club and school.
  • The following students were recognized for successful completion of the Institute of Internal Auditors Internal Auditing Education Partnership Program: Sebastian Affronti, Morgan Bluhm, Justin Brooks, Jillian Burghardt, Nicholas Capizzano, Dominik Cardamone, Nicholas Cascione, Sunny Chen, Rafael Damian, Mikhayla Edwards, Aidan Hotaling, Connlan Hotnich, Rachel Iavicoli, Kristina Jiang, Cianna Kusmierski, Jaaron L’Esperance, Camryn Lisante, Lauren Nawojski, Brandon Pettit, Collin Pichany, Lauren Pollack, Charlotte Reczek, Nicole Santucci, Justin Schultz, Jake Shin, Quinn Skotnicki and John Velasquez

Finally, the department also recognized the following scholarship winners:

  • Ivanna Tyrkot, Xinjing Weng, Samiur Rahman, ZhiWei Zhang and Michael Tortorello, Accounting and Law Department Undergraduate Scholarships
  • Esteban (Stevie) Colon, the Judith and Allan Felong Trinkwald Endowed Fellowship
  • Clarence Mosley, the Accounting Advisory Council Fellowship
  • Zhi Peng Chen, Timothy Yam, and Yelan Chen, the Gloria and Oscar Goldstein Memorial Fellowship
  • Loren McMichael, the Paul W. Sweet Memorial Health Care Finance Student Financial Assistance Fund
  • Jack Dormitzer, the KPMG Accounting Excellence Fellowship
  • Candy Zou, the Kathleen M. Hamm, BS ’85, Accounting Fellowship
  • Herah Musa, the Keith M. Stolzenburg Fellowship
  • Shawn Frans, Grace Wansor, ChrisAnne Mosier, Kimberly Butler, and Christian Egger, the Victor and Joan Brown MS Accounting Fellowship