Giving Back to the Community
With almost 50% of our work being done in the non-profit sector and 12% of our work being done for school districts, we have always supported our clients by sponsoring events, giving donations, and
attending fundraising galas. But we help more than just our clients. We feel it is important to give recognition to the thousands of organizations
that devote themselves to our communities. In this effort, Cerini & Associates has teamed up with Long Island Business News to present a weekly
spotlight for local non-profit organizations. Though accountants are not typically known for their creative writing skills, managing partner
Kenneth Cerini felt it was important to get the word of the non-profits out there. He has been faithfully writing the
"NFP Spotlight" article on a pro-bono basis since 2001.
In 2004, Cerini & Associates conducted the first annual Long Island Not-For-Profit survey. In 2005, Cerini & Associates conducted its second
survey which had an even greater response. The survey is designed to provide both the not-for-profit
community as well as the for-profit community some insight into the challenges that the not-for-profit sector faces. It focuses on areas such as
operations, development, corporate governance, and strategic planning. Results of
this survey offer valuable benchmarking information for the nearly 5,000 not-for-profit organizations here on Long Island.
Each year, the firm participates in a local "Letters to Santa" program with the help of the United States Postal Service ("USPS"). During the
holiday season, we gather letters from children in underprivileged areas of the tri-state region. Through donations by the firm, its employees, and
its friends, we are able to purchase a large number of items that appear on wish lists from these children and help make their holiday dreams come
true. In addition, our partners and staff have extensive histories of community service and involvement. Participation in community events and giving
back are strongly encouraged by the firm.
Giving Back to the Accounting Profession
As members of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants we are very much involved with the network of Long Island accountants.
Ken Cerini, our managing partner, is the Suffolk Chapter President of the NYSSCPA. Our staff includes both members of the board and chairpersons of
sub-committees for the local and statewide chapters of the society. We are involved in helping to shape the profession for the generations to
come.
Cerini & Associates is involved in various Long Island organizations. Ken Cerini currently serves as the Treasurer
of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Long Island. Cerini & Associates supports the Coalition of
Children with Special Needs, the Interagency Council, the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Long Island,
the Health and Welfare Association of Long Island, and many other nonprofit organizations and groups. Cerini &
Associates is also a member of or affiliated with the Advancement of Commerce, Industry, and Technology (ACIT) of
Long Island, the Long Island Association, the Hauppauge Industrial Association, The MacArthur Business Alliance,
ExecuLeaders, the Suffolk Community Council, the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island, and the Association
for Accounting Marketing. In addition, Ken Cerini also participated in the Long Island Fight for Charity, raising
money for many wonderful organizations. Here at Cerini & Associates, we enjoy participating in community and
professional networking groups that help Long Island grow. Cerini & Associates enjoys giving back to our community
and working together for a brighter future.
About 4 to 6 times a year we take our knowledge of finance and offer it to other professionals through free seminars. In the past we have hosted
seminars for healthcare practices, non-profits, small businesses, and individuals seeking financial advice. In addition, we periodically provide
free seminars and financial planning sessions to the employees of the Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.
We also advocate for the accounting profession by speaking to children in high school about becoming accountants. To give students the chance to
get a closer look at the profession we participate in a mentoring program every year in which a high school student will shadow one of our staff
members for a day. It's a great experience for both the staff and the students. Additionally, we recruit many of our interns and entry-level staff
straight from local colleges. It's a great way to support the local kids and give them opportunities for career advancement.
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