The Fox School of Business will honor five accounting alumni who are business leaders in the Greater Philadelphia region at the first annual Accounting Achievement Awards on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Hyatt at The Bellevue.
Hosted by the Department of Accounting, the inaugural event will recognize the following alumni with awards reflective of their professional careers and civic service: Ross S. Reiter, CPA; Lori F. Reiner, CPA; Anthony J. Conti, CPA, MBA; Stanley C. Middleman; and James N. Solano, CPA, MBA, MS.
Ross S. Reiter, CPA, will receive the Rising Star Award, presented to a public or private accounting professional who has demonstrated leadership skills and a commitment to the Fox School. Reiter, BBA ’09, is a senior manager at KPMG’s tax consulting practice in Philadelphia.
Lori F. Reiner, CPA, will be presented with the Public Accounting Award for outstanding success in the public accounting sector. Reiner, BBA ’86, is partner-in-charge of the Philadelphia practice of EisnerAmper LLP, specializing in providing accounting, auditing, and advisory services to closely held and private equity-backed companies.
Stanley C. Middleman will receive the Corporate Award, presented to executive-level professionals in the non-public accounting profession who have shown excellence in the areas of financial reporting, accounting, and/or tax expertise. Middleman, BS ’76, is the founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage Corporation, a national mortgage banker headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J.
Anthony J. Conti, CPA, MBA, will be celebrated with the Community Service Award for outstanding contributions to the accounting profession and local communities. Conti, MBA ’73, maintains an active civic career following retirement from a 36-year career with PwC, including 29 years as a partner. He has served the Philadelphia community in several civic leadership positions, including interim president and CEO of the United Way on a volunteer basis.
James N. Solano, CPA, MBA, MS, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to professionals who advance the accounting profession through sustained leadership in public accounting, business, or academic communities. Solano, BS ’66, MBA ’68, MS ’79, has had a distinguished 48-year career in the Philadelphia area, successfully balancing his professional career as an accounting professor, practicing CPA, and professional sports agent with active involvement in community service as a founder of two charitable foundations.
In addition to celebrating the storied careers and community involvement of alumni, the Accounting Achievement Awards event goes a step beyond traditional alma mater recognition by providing current and new students access to higher education. The event serves as a kick-off to the Accounting Achievement Awards Term Scholarship Fund, a new scholarship created to support high-achieving accounting students in pursuing their undergraduate and Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degrees, funded by the net proceeds from the event.
“The Fox School of Business Department of Accounting Achievement Awards celebrate our outstanding alumni who excel professionally and make impressive contributions to their communities,” said Eric Press, chairman of the Department of Accounting. “We’re proud of this year’s winners and their connection to the Fox School. Using the proceeds from this event to support the Achievement Awards Term Scholarship Fund, we will assist future accounting professionals in reaching the high level of success attained by the winners of this inaugural event.”
Read more about the event and honorees here.