Firm ‘punches above its weight’

Green and Seifter CPAs bring world class accounting to CNY

By Willie Kiernan

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Ed Green began as a maverick.

In 1957, Green created his accounting firm with Joel Rudolph, who later passed away. In the meantime, Green attended S.U. Law School and received his degree. In 1981, Green brought in Lowell Seifter who was also an accountant and lawyer, but predominantly practiced law.

“Ed Green did something practically unprecedented in accounting and legal services,” said Gary Grossman, CPA, CFP and co-managing partner with Steven J. St. Amour, CPA/ABV, CVA at Green and Seifter CPAs.

By being an accountant and a lawyer, Green conducted two separate businesses under the same roof. He has since sold his two businesses, the accounting firm and the law firm, and now works for a third, Green and Seifter Investment Advisers. He goes to work everyday at 1 Lincoln Center in Syracuse as an investment adviser, not an owner, not a boss.

“Eddie works everyday,” Grossman said. “He’s passionate about the stock market.

Green and Seifter CPAs has been in business for over 50 years. The firm provides its clients with professional services in the areas of accounting, audit and taxation, business planning and valuation, financial planning and investment management, and fraud prevention and detection.

Today, the accounting firm occupies space on the 9th and 7th floors of the building, overlooking the Syracuse skyline. Growing areas for the firm include public school district audits, municipality audits, employee benefit plan audits, valuations and income tax planning and tax preparation for businesses and individuals.

Grossman, a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner indicated that when someone comes in to get their taxes done, there is much more available to the client.

“I’ll ask if they need a retirement plan or have a will,” Grossman said. “If they need a retirement plan, we can provide that service. If they need a will, we can refer them to the law firm. That’s really effective.”

IGAF Worldwide

Green and Seifter CPAs is the exclusive area member of IGAF Worldwide, an international group of accounting firms. IGAF Worldwide is one of the oldest, largest, and most well respected accounting associations in the world. It was founded for the purpose of providing member firms with the tools and resources they need to furnish a broad spectrum of efficient, cost-effective accounting, auditing, and management services to clients around the globe.

“I spoke at the world conference in New York City in 2002 and thereafter was asked to join IGAF Worldwide board of directors,” Grossman said.

IGAF Worldwide’s members are typically regional, full-service public accounting and management consulting firms. With multiple offices in major metropolitan areas, these independent firms provide technical assistance in traditional accounting and auditing, tax services, and specialized services such as privatization support, fiscal management support, streamlining accounting systems, litigation, strategic planning, business valuations, information technology consulting, system planning, and law firm services.

“When my clients have unusual issues, I can rely on the resources of this global association.” Grossman said.

IGAF Worldwide has about 150 member firms internationally.

“The accounting world is trying to standardize rules around the globe because the world becomes flatter everyday,” Grossman said. “But until they do, and even after, it’s helpful to have contacts in 50 countries.”

Grossman offered an example.

“Suppose there was an obscure depreciation technique used on newly constructed office buildings,” he said. “I’ll call on the expert in this area in the association in order to maximize the benefit for a client.”

Qualifying to be a member of IGAF Worldwide requires strict quality service standards.

“There are strict requirements in being a member – and it’s becoming stricter” Grossman said. .”

Of all the accounting firms in America that have passed IGAF’s rigorous tests, Green and Seifter CPAs is the sole entity with a law firm under the same roof.

“Green and Seifter CPAs is a unique member for IGAF Worldwide,” said Kevin Mead, Executive Director of IGAF Worldwide. “They represent the organization in the Syracuse area and serve in-bound and out-bound businesses through their connections with IGAF Worldwide. However, it is their relationship with Green & Seifter Attorneys that makes them unique within our association. This enables them to provide unique insights and services to their global peers within IGAF Worldwide. The firm also provides resources to IGAF Worldwide through service on the board, staffing our peer review services and content planning and delivery for our events. This is truly a firm that “punches above its weight” within our association.” As Treasurer on the IGAF Worldwide Board, Grossman has a keen rapport with the people in the association and the resources they provide.

Green and Seifter, Certified Public Accountants, PLLC and Green Seifter Attorneys, PLLC are separately owned and managed and have established relationships with other certified public accounting firms and law firms.

“When it makes sense for a client to be a client of both Green and Seifter CPAs and Green Seifter Attorneys, we work together. When it makes sense for a client to work with another law firm, we do that too. Whatever is best for the client is what it’s all about” said Gary Grossman.