Secrets for Advancing Your Career Webcast (E1609584)

Chris is a partner at Withum and serves as the firm’s Practice leader for the Technology and Emerging Growth Services Group. With over 15 years of experience, he has dedicated his time to servicing this industry and tech community and has had the privilege of working and building relationships with some of the most well-known and successful technology and emerging growth companies in the space. In addition to servicing his clients, his responsibilities include representing the firm in the marketplace, developing marketplace strategies, leading the growth and success of the firm’s technology and emerging growth practice.

Beyond accounting, he has developed a deeply focused skill set within the sector as a strategic advisor and consultant. With an emphasis on M&A and auditing, he often consults with clients on accounting for complex capital structure, interpretation of revenue recognition standards, capitalized software, acquisition accounting, exit planning, and software selection/implementation among others.

His expertise spans a variety of industry verticals within the technology and emerging growth community including but not limited to Ad-Tech, E-Commerce, Ed-Tech, Digital Media, Social Media, AR/VR, AI and Crypto based companies.

Sarah Krom, CPA, MST is Managing Partner at SKC & Co. CPAs and is well-respected by her clients and business associates for bringing tremendous value to those relationships for over ten years. Sarah works closely with clients to establish realistic financial goals and helps create reporting systems to ensure that they are on track to achieve those goals. By immersing herself in the daily operations of the business, she is able to consult on operational efficiencies, cost-saving tactics, and real-time financial reporting. Sarah is a past President of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is a trustee on the board of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and also serves on its strategic planning committee.

Michael VanderGoot, CPA, CGMA is a manager in BDO's Corporate Real Estate Advisory Services Practice. Michael has over 25 years of real estate accounting and finance experience. He began his career working for a real estate developer and his path eventually led to controller and finance/operating officer positions for local, regional and national real estate companies. His responsibilities included overseeing rent and additional rent billings to tenants, and resolving disputes when they would arise. In addition, responsibilities included analyzing the contracts and invoices of all the vendors. Prior to joining BDO, Michael was director of audit at BC Compliance Group where his primary focus was representing tenants with lease auditing. His accounting and finance experience working for real estate owners and developers added an alternative perspective to tenant-related issues and accounting treatment by landlords. He also currently serves as the Secretary for the NJCPA Board of Trustees and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Kait Zech, CPA, manager, PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, Cranford, has been a member of the NJCPA since 2010. She has served on the board of directors of the NJCPA Union Chapter since 2015. Kait has also served on the Emerging Leaders Council since 2014 and is the current Chair. She champions networking for Young Professionals within her firm and other industry organizations. She is a graduate of Seton Hall University and resides in Cranford with her husband and two daughters. Kait enjoys reading, baking and watching the Mets win a handful of games every season.