Feb 27 February Sax Spotlight: John Beckerle and Kathleen Alexander
In this month’s Sax Spotlight, we highlight the work ethic and dedication of Partner, Kathleen Alexander, and Tax Associate, John Beckerle.
John Beckerle, CPA
This month, we are proud to shine our Sax Spotlight on one of our Tax Associates, John Beckerle. John graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and received his MBA in Financial Management from Iona College. He started his career as an intern at Sax in January 2018 and received a full-time offer in June of that same year due to his commitment and work ethic. John also recently passed his CPA exam, further demonstrating his hard work and determination.
In addition to preparing tax returns, John is a large part of the professional development initiative within the firm and frequently gives trainings to new hires and enhances the value of the firm by doing so. He is also a well-rounded tax associate with knowledge in a variety of areas such as the not-for-profit industry, sales tax, general business returns, and Grantor Trusts. In his free time, John has a passion for music and can play a multitude of instruments.
Read on to learn more about John in our Q&A:
What college did you attend? What was your major?
I attended Iona College where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration Degree in Financial Management.
Do you have any credentials?
Throughout my career, I have received my MBA and just recently received my CPA.
When did you start working at Sax?
I started working at Sax as an intern in January of 2018 and accepted a full-time position in June that same year.
What is your current title?
I am currently a Tax Associate.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Sax? What do you specialize in?
I have not yet chosen a niche to specialize in, but my day-to-day responsibilities include preparing tax returns as well as professional development, which includes giving trainings to new hires. One of the main trainings I do is for Grantor Trusts.
What are a few things you have learned here?
Since starting my career at the firm, I have gained extensive accounting and tax knowledge and their real-world applications. I have also learned a great amount of soft skills including organization, working with others, and being a resource for people.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in your career.
My two biggest achievements so far are taking and passing my CPA exam, as well as earning my MBA.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in life.
My biggest personal achievement in life is advancing my career forward by receiving a full-time job offer at Sax after my internship ended.
Do you have a vision or goal for your career?
I really want to become a tax expert and be a go to person at the firm, and just in general. I also want to receive my MST in Tax.
Are there any other interesting facts about you outside of your work life?
I am 1 of 5 children in my family, and I am the only boy. I also have a love for music and can play the guitar, bass, piano, and the harmonica.
Kathleen Alexander, CPA, MST, CFE
This month, we are proud to shine our Sax Spotlight on Partner, Kathleen Alexander. She began her career at Sax in December of 1988 and became a Partner of the firm in 1997. Kathleen is a valued Partner in the firm’s Manufacturing and Distribution Practice and is the Head of our Food and Beverage niche. Daily, Kathleen speaks with clients about their business needs and challenges and uses her extensive knowledge to guide them to success.
As a leader of the firm, Kathleen is a mentor and resource, and is very involved in the firm’s P.O.W.E.R. group, which works to address a woman’s role in the evolving business environment. She manages the firm’s CFO Focus seminar series and frequently speaks and publishes articles on topics meaningful to her clients.
Read on to learn more about Kathleen in our Q&A:
What college did you attend? What was your major?
I attended William Paterson University where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
Do you have any continued education or credentials?
I received a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition to a CPA, I am a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
When did you start working at Sax?
I started working at Sax in December of 1988.
What is your position at Sax?
I am currently a Partner in the firm’s Manufacturing and Distribution Practice and Head of the Food & Beverage niche.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Sax? What do you specialize in?
I focus on the Manufacturing and Distribution and Food and Beverage industries, and I have a specialty in women-owned businesses across all industries. My day-to-day responsibilities include speaking with clients about their challenges and addressing their business needs. My goal is to be their advisor in every facet of their company. I also manage Sax’s CFO Focus seminar series that brings timely and actionable business advice on the issues and challenges faced by CFOs and other business leaders.
Explain some of your biggest achievements at Sax.
When I started working for the firm, we were just on the verge of getting computers and I helped automate our accounting policies and procedures and standardized our client work papers. I was also instrumental in creating the first in-house training program for junior accountants and initiated the firm’s Women’s Initiative Program, which began in 2005 and has now evolved into the Professional Organization of Women for Empowerment & Results (P.O.W.E.R.) program.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in life.
Professionally, I began my career as an auditor and serviced clients through an auditing capacity. As the tax laws became a bigger driver in our client service, I went back to get my Master’s in Taxation so I could best serve from an accounting, auditing and tax perspective. I felt that it was something I needed to do in order to be relevant and stay up to date with current client expectations to serve them in a fuller capacity.
My biggest achievement in my personal life is being happily married and raising my two children. Sax has helped me gain extensive knowledge about networking and other essential business skills, and I am fortunate to pass them on to my children so they can be successful in their career paths.
Do you have a vision or goal for your career?
My goal for my career is to continue to strengthen Sax. My ongoing vision is to make sure that as a firm, we are helping each one of our clients be the best they can be and grow to their full potential by providing them with the tools they need to succeed. I am a strong believer in the power of collaboration with other partners and team members and get a lot of joy and satisfaction knowing we have such a diverse group of staff and advisors that can serve our clients’ needs.
Do you frequently speak at events or publish articles to demonstrate expertise?
I am on multiple business boards such as CIANJ, the Tri-Country Chamber of Commerce and the NJ Food Council, and served in various leadership roles which has lent itself to a number of public speaking opportunities. I have presented on various tax topics and was a champion for the Affordable Care Act, speaking to organizations regularly about the provisions and what they need to do to be compliant. My most recent published article is on supply-chain disruption.
Are there any other interesting facts about you outside of your work life?
I am a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. I also enjoy fishing, playing tennis and golfing. I have a love for dogs, and I have 3 beagles that my family and I rescued. Family is also very important to me and I know I could not do what I do here at the firm without the love and support of them.