Firm Profile

"Changing Times Demand Innovative CPA's"

MANAGEMENT TEAM PROFILE

Ross, Rosenthal & Company is a highly respected regional accounting firm which has been serving the needs of businesses in the New York Metropolitan area for over sixty-five years.  We are members of the Private Companies Practice Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, which is dedicated to establishing and maintaining an effective system of self‑regulation of member firms through continuing education and periodic practice reviews.  We have successfully completed all independent peer reviews of our accounting and auditing practice.

We believe the success of our firm can be attributed to our commitment to offering personalized professional services to our clients.  We have consciously controlled the growth of our practice within manageable levels.  Every client enjoys continued partner involvement tailored to the needs of their business.  As a result, we make a positive contribution to the financial success of each of our clients.

We pride ourselves on staff retention.  In order to maintain continuity, our staff members are assigned to the same engagement for several years.  This enables us to provide responsive, personal service to each client.

Our practice has served corporate clients in various industries, including the following:

  • Residential and commercial real estate owners, funds, and developers
  • Construction contractors
  • Facility services companies
  • Corporate and production rental companies
  • Domestic and international manufacturers
  • Plumbing supply companies
  • Wealth management and investment advisors
  • Transportation and logistics companies
  • Health services and medical technology companies
  • Food and beverage providers
  • Golf clubs
  • Nursing registries
  • Alternative energy companies
  • Car rental franchises
  • Start-up companies
  • Nonprofit organizations

Our practice also serves private clients, such as the following:

  • Medical and dental professionals
  • Lawyers
  • Architects and engineers
  • Top corporate executives
  • High-net-worth individuals and families

Current responsibilities for our clients include audit, compilation, and review of financial statements; tax and financial planning; and tax preparation and compliance.  Other special services include pre-acquisition due diligence reviews, business appraisals and valuation reports, litigation support, consultation about and implementation of accounting systems and internal controls, estate planning and administration, and the preparation of estate, trust, and gift tax returns.

PARTNERS

Nicholas S. Gakos, CPA (Managing Partner) 

Nick joined the firm in 1980 and was admitted to the partnership in 1987.  With over 30 years of experience, his industry specialties include commercial and residential real estate, construction contractors, investment firms, a major car rental franchise, and manufacturing and service companies.  His expertise lies in the fields of tax planning and compliance, accounting and financial statement reporting, personal financial planning, estate planning, and capital transactions.  Nick has served on the Committee for Cooperation with Bankers of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.  He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Villanova University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey and New York.

Joseph C. Graff, CPA 

Joe has more than 30 years of tax and accounting experience with industry specializations including real estate, energy, and professional services.  His expertise lies in the fields of capital transactions, estate planning, tax planning, and litigation support.  Joe serves as a trustee and advisor to a family office.  He has served as an expert witness and a court-appointed Special Fiscal Agent/Trustee.  He joined the firm in 1981 and became managing partner in 2007.  He began his career on the audit staff of Price Waterhouse.  He is Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center.  Joe holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Pace University and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey and New York.

Dominic J. Vaccarello, CPA

Dominic has industry specialties in manufacturing, retail distribution, contractors, commercial and residential real estate, not-for-profit organizations, professional services, and franchises.  He received his degree from Montclair State University and is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.  He is licensed as a CPA by the States of New Jersey, New York, and Delaware.  He was admitted to the partnership in 2022.

George Williams, CPA, JD, LL.M. 

George joined the firm in 2010 and was admitted to the partnership in 2013.  Formerly of Dorfman Abrams Music, LLC and PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC, George has extensive experience in the following fields: estate, gift, fiduciary, nonprofit, federal, and state tax taxation; mergers and acquisitions; personal financial planning; and forensic accounting.  Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree from William Paterson University, Juris Doctorate in Law from Seton Hall University of Law, and Masters of Laws in Taxation from New York University, George is currently a member of the following organizations: American Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association, New Jersey Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants.  Also, as an active member of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, George serves on the Estate and Gift Tax Committee, Federal and State Tax Committees, State Scholarship Committee, as well as the Corporate, IRS, and Cooperation with the IRS Tax Committees. He is on the executive board of the Bergen County Chapter of the NJSCPA and a member of the Bergen Tax Law Study Group.  He is an adjunct professor of tax and accounting at Bergen Community College.

RETIRED PARTNERS

Paul Ross (Retired Partner)

Paul joined the firm in 1971 after receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Accounting from Babson College.  Paul maintains a consulting role to his longtime clients as a business advisor.  His expertise is in the fields of banking, real estate, and hospitality management. He was on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of a publicly traded bank that merged with PNC Bank, where he continued to serve on their New Jersey Advisory Board.

Edward Rosenthal, CPA (Retired Partner)

Ed joined the firm in 1969 and was admitted to the partnership in 1974.  He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey (active) and Connecticut (inactive), as well as a licensed New Jersey Public School Accountant (active).  He is a member of the AICPA and the NJ Society of CPAs.  Ed was a former Internal Revenue Agent and a former Department of Defense Contract Auditor.  He was with the firm for almost 40 years and served as the firm's managing partner for 20 of those years.  Ed retired from the firm on December 31, 2007, but he continues to maintain many personal relationships with his clients.

SELECTED STAFF

Teri Law, CPA

Teri specializes in providing tax planning and compliance services to high-net-worth individuals, partnerships, and closely held corporations.  She has over 30 years of experience with various national and local firms in the New Jersey and New York areas.  She returned to Ross, Rosenthal & Company LLP in 2016 after serving our clients from 2001 to 2010.  Teri received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baruch College, CUNY and is a licensed CPA in New York.  She is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, and is committed to providing volunteer services to low-income communities in New York City.

Diane McDonough, CPA

Diane joined the firm in 2016 with over 20 years of experience at various firms in the Northern New Jersey area.  Her experience includes corporate, partnership, not-for-profit, and high-net-worth individual returns.  Diane holds Bachelor Degrees from both Rutgers University and William Paterson University.  She currently serves as Treasurer of the Society for the Education of American Sailors (a non-profit organization) for both the national organization and the Morris County chapter.  She is licensed by the State of New Jersey and is a member of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.

OUR FOUNDER

Marvin Ross, CPA (1923-1997)

Marvin founded the firm in 1951.  He received his Bachelor Degree from Saint John's University in 1947.  He attended Harvard University's Graduate School of Business while serving in the Army Air Corps and received a Certificate in Statistical Analysis.  Marvin was an Internal Revenue Agent from 1949 to 1952.  He was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the State of New Jersey and his memberships included the American Arbitration Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.