Dec 04 November Sax Spotlight: Todd Polyniak and Jefferson Zotamba
In this month’s Sax Spotlight, we highlight the work ethic and dedication of Partner, Todd Polyniak, and A & A Associate, Jefferson Zotamba.
Todd Polyniak
This month we are proud to shine our Sax Spotlight on Partner, Todd Polyniak. His wealth of experience has led him to lead the firm’s Not-for-Profit Practice, Transaction Advisory Practice, and the Accounting & Auditing Department. Todd received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Rutgers University and also received his CPA License. He joined the Sax team as a Partner when his former firm, Singer Wolf Mongelli, merged with Sax in 2001. Since then, Todd has taken on many internal Sax initiatives including heading the Pathway to Success Program and the Innovation Committee.
Todd has fully embraced Sax’s foundation of being our clients’ #1 advisor and aims to help clients succeed in their own careers. He considers himself creative and not your ordinary accountant. He recently started a podcast with his daughter called SmartGood, geared towards young entrepreneurs who want to make the world a better place.
Read our Q&A to learn more about Todd:
What college did you attend? What was your major?
I attended Rutgers University in Newark, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
I originally went to school to be a marriage counselor, but after realizing it required a doctorate degree and years of an unpaid internship, I decided to explore the field of accounting and actually found that I enjoyed it and wanted to make it my career.
Do you have any credentials?
I have my CPA license.
When did you start working at Sax?
I worked at a tax firm called Singer Wolf Mongelli, which merged with Sax in 2001.
What is your current title?
I am the Partner-in-Charge of Sax’s Not-for-Profit and Transaction Advisory Practices. I am also Head of our Accounting & Auditing Department.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Sax?
My main responsibilities include overseeing our Not-for-Profit and Transaction Advisory Practices to ensure we are providing the highest level of service to our clients and exceeding their expectations. As Head of our A&A Department, I oversee the policies and procedures our firm follows for any attestation engagement. My focus is building strong client relationships based on the delivery of accurate, timely and meaningful financial information.
As Head of Sax’s Innovation Committee, I am leaned on to support the growth and innovation of Sax and to create new opportunities to sustain a healthy firm culture and attract and retain exceptional talent.
As a facilitator of Sax’s Pathway to Success Program, I aim to give our team members the tools and resources they need to reach their desired career goals at the firm.
With that, the duties I enjoy the most have to do with helping my clients succeed, developing strong team members, and propelling Sax forward.
What are a few things you have learned here at Sax?
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that you can be an accountant and still be creative – and you should never take yourself too seriously. I also have grown to realize you can enjoy your job but if you make your job your life, one day you will be a very unhappy person. So, I always try to maintain a healthy work/life balance so I can succeed in all areas.
Explain some of your biggest achievements while working at Sax, or in your career.
One of my biggest career achievements is being able to adapt with the changes that are thrown my way and reinvent myself. This has taught me how to be nimble and flexible in the changing economic conditions.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in life.
My biggest achievements in life are being married to my wonderful wife since I was 20 years old and raising our four children together.
Do you have a vision or goal for your career?
Moving forward, I would like to continue to be a builder at the firm. We recently launched our Transaction Advisory Practice and my goal is to have it grow as much as possible and eventually hand it over to the next generation of leaders to do the same.
Are there any other interesting facts about you outside of your work life?
I enjoy painting in my down time because it gives me a creative outlet. I also started a podcast with my daughter called SmartGood, which is geared towards young entrepreneurs who want to make the world a better place.
Jefferson Zotamba
This month we would like to shine our Sax Spotlight on A&A Associate, Jefferson Zotamba. Starting out as an Administrative Intern for Sax during his last semester of college, Jefferson proved himself to be a valuable member of the firm and was offered a full-time position after graduating. He is currently working towards his CPA license and is eager to grow his career at Sax. He feels as though there is an opportunity to learn something new and strengthen his skillsets every day at the firm.
Jefferson does not yet have a specific area of expertise, but has taken an interest in the firm’s Construction Practice and hopes to explore his opportunities within that industry in the future. His current goals are to receive his CPA license and move up the corporate ladder at Sax. Outside of work, Jefferson volunteers at his college fraternity as a Chapter Advisor and enjoys traveling and photography.
Read on to learn more about Jefferson in our Q&A:
What college did you attend? What was your major?
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from William Paterson University with a major in Accounting and a minor in Economics and Geography.
Do you have any credentials?
I am currently studying for the first part of the CPA exam, which I plan to take within the next few months.
When did you start working at Sax?
I started working at Sax as an Administrative Intern in January of 2018, then became an A&A Associate in November of that same year.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Sax? What do you specialize in?
As an A&A Associate, my main responsibilities include compilations, reviews and audits for all of our niches. I also support the engagement teams in any way I can whenever they need an extra hand (which has been a great learning opportunity for me). I haven’t chosen a specific niche yet, but I would like to eventually get more involved with our Construction Practice.
What are a few things you have learned here at Sax?
There is an opportunity to learn something new every day at Sax, especially because everybody is willing to help you grow your skillset and expand your knowledge. The people here want to see you succeed and move up internally, which is really motivating.
Explain some of your biggest achievements while working at Sax, or in your career.
My biggest accomplishment at Sax is being hired as an intern while I was in college and then getting offered a full-time position as an A&A Associate once I graduated.
Explain some of your biggest achievements in life.
My biggest achievement so far has been graduating college. I am the first generation in my family to receive a four-year degree.
Do you have a vision or goal for your career?
My short-term goal is to pass all four parts of the CPA exam and receive my license, and my long-term goal is to advance my career and work my way up the ladder at Sax.
What volunteer work and/or charities do you participate in?
I volunteer as the Chapter Advisor for the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity at William Paterson University. I advise and assist the collegiate chapter in creating professional and service events to educate the student body on how to become successful business leaders.
Are there any other interesting facts about you outside of your work life?
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling around the country and seeking out various landscapes to photograph. I also love to spend time with my family and always try to enjoy the little things in life.
