Dec 18 December Sax Spotlight: Michael Benguigui and Joshua Chananie
In this month’s Sax Spotlight, we highlight the work ethic and dedication of Partner, Joshua Chananie, and Senior Tax Manager, Michael Benguigui.
Michael Benguigui, CPA
This month, we are proud to shine our Sax Spotlight on Senior Tax Manager, Michael Benguigui. Michael joined the firm in June of 2017 and plays an active role in the firm’s Real Estate Practice. Daily, he is working with clients, business partners, and team members to ensure projects and engagements are being completed in a timely and efficient manner, while ensuring his clients’ needs are addressed and they are on track to meet their goals.
READ ON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHAEL IN OUR Q&A:
What college did you attend? What was your major?
I attended Touro College where I received my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting.
Any continued education? Credentials?
I earned my CPA license and am currently working towards my Masters of Taxation degree from Pace University.
When did you start working at Sax?
I began working at Sax on June 5, 2017.
What is your current title?
I am currently a Senior Manager in the firm’s Tax Department.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Sax? What do you specialize in?
Daily, I am working with clients, business partners, and colleagues to make sure that all projects that I am involved with are being managed appropriately. This includes day-to-day tax compliance and transactional work such as structuring an investment with a Qualified Opportunity Fund, or a build-to-suit Like-Kind-Exchange.
What are a few things you have learned at Sax?
Sax has given me the opportunity to take a number of trainings to gain in-depth knowledge of the new tax law changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and I can apply this knowledge to our diverse client base. Through other trainings Sax provides geared towards professional development, I have also improved upon my time management and prioritization skills since being with the firm.
Explain some of your biggest achievements while working at Sax.
I have seen Sax expand its client base and services within the time I have been working at the firm, and I am grateful to have been a part of it. The firm has been able to support clients that are investing in Qualified Opportunity Zones, and we are currently working in private equity deals which one would typically see in a “Big 4” accounting firm.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in life.
Raising four children has definitely been challenging, but I am having fun with the process.
Do you have a vision or goal for your career?
Eventually, I would like to become a Partner of the firm.
Do you frequently speak at events or publish articles to demonstrate expertise?
Some of my most recent internal presentations have been on topics such as the “Background of Qualified Improvement Property” and “Final & New Proposed Regulations for Sec. 163(j) and Application of Debt Financed Distributions”. Externally, I have led presentations covering COVID-19 Tax Provisions Accelerating Cash Flow for Owners & Operators. I have also published articles covering Business Interest Limitation and Qualified Opportunity Zones.
Are there any other interesting facts about you outside of your work life?
I grew up in the Amazon region in Brazil and moved to the U.S. when I was seven and used to vacation there every summer until I was 18. I am fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Outside the office I spent as much time as possible with the kids. Also, I am a big soccer fan as well and love to watch the World Cup games.
Joshua Chananie, CPA
Please join us in shining our Sax Spotlight on Partner, Joshua Chananie. Josh started his career as a Junior Associate in September of 2003 and has worked his way up to serving as Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Manufacturing & Distribution niche. Josh is a member of Sax’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, advising clients on the Paycheck Protection Program and other relief strategies, in addition to working within the firm’s Not-for-Profit niche and Transaction Advisory Group.
READ ON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOSHUA IN OUR Q&A:
What college did you attend? What was your major?
I attended Binghamton University where I graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Any continued education? Credentials?
I currently hold a CPA license.
When did you start working at Sax?
I began my career at Sax in September of 2003 as a Junior Associate and have been with the firm ever since.
What is your current title?
I currently serve as Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Manufacturing & Distribution niche and am a member of the firm’s Executive Committee
What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Sax? What do you specialize in?
To me, the biggest thrill of working at Sax is that no two days are the same. Much of my time and energy is dedicated to my client relationships and working to exceed the expectations of those I serve through new ideas and delivering meaningful results to them. I am also committed to generating new business for the firm by demonstrating our industry expertise and the resources we have at-hand. Just as important, I work to create an environment of collaboration among our clients to leverage synergies between them and help them grow their businesses. Finally, team member development and knowledge transfer are critical so that we are continually molding our younger associates to be true and overall business advisors to those we serve.
Although I lead the Manufacturing & Distribution Practice, I also concentrate on the Not-for-Profit community and our Transaction Advisory services.
What are a few things you have learned at Sax?
At Sax, I have learned how to best leverage all the resources of the firm – whether that be internal trainings, our professional relationships, or the depth of our own bench – to gain the knowledge to best serve my clients. As I have gone through the ranks of the firm, I also learned that with great success comes greater responsibility. As you gain more experience, it is important to pass that on to other team members so the firm as a whole is growing and getting stronger.
Lastly, I learned that you can never be too complacent, and you need to have the ability to adapt as needed in an ever-changing business climate. In order to stay relevant, you must be able to reinvent yourself, think outside the box and always work to sharpen your skills to be the best professional possible for clients and co-workers.
Explain some of your biggest achievements while working at Sax.
Some of my biggest achievements while working at Sax include passing my CPA exam, becoming a Partner in my early 30’s, and serving on the firm’s Executive Committee.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in life.
My biggest achievements in life include getting married and having my 2 daughters.
Do you have a vision or goal for your career?
I want to finish what I started and continue to be a leader of the firm and have people look up to me. Sax has provided me with so many amazing opportunities, and I want to try and give back everything that was given to me.
Do you frequently speak at events or publish articles to demonstrate expertise?
I frequently speak on Sax’s Recovery Update webinars aimed at providing businesses with information and resources to get on the road to recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to industry-specific events and writing articles on meaningful topics to our client base.
What volunteer work and/or charities do you participate in?
I currently serve as Treasurer of the Paterson Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps other organizations in the Paterson community.
Are there any other interesting facts about you outside of your work life?
I am an avid golfer and Giants fan. I take a lot of pride in being a girl dad and dance dad.
