Attorney Advertising Material * CPA Advertising Material
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NEERAJ SHAH, Esq., MBA, CPA
owner of Shah CPA Firm, PLLC
owner of Shah Law Firm, PLLC
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I graduated with a BA from the University of Rochester, an MBA from Cornell University and a JD from Washington University in St. Louis. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I am able to prepare taxes in all 50 states. In addition, I am also an attorney - admitted to practice in New York State courts and the US Tax Court. Taken together, I am uniquely positioned to serve the financial, estate planning, and business needs of my clients.
MY ETHICS AND VALUES
Of most importance, I lead a life of strong ethics and expect the same of my clients. Similarly, I hold my family values in high regard. I am a proud husband and father of two boys.
HAT TRICK
Sometimes I feel like I scored a hat trick! As a CPA, an attorney, and MBA, I can offer clients a depth of knowledge, skill, and business acumen that very few practitioners can match. For example, when forming new businesses, I educate my clients on both risk mitigation and potential tax consequences. When formulating an estate plan, I do a deep dive into the client's balance sheet. Other attorneys engage me to prepare transfer tax returns such as estate tax or gift tax returns.
You can see how my CPA practice and law practice dovetail nicely with each other. I work hard to build a long-term trusting relationship with my clients.
The hat trick! Neeraj Shah is a CPA, an attorney and MBA
FEW PRACTITIONERS CAN MATCH
CPA - expertise when it comes to money
- identify and solve financial problems
- handle financial responsibilities
LAW - expertise when it comes to managing risk
- recognize potential future risk
- help guard against these risks
MBA - expertise when it comes to business strategy
- think critically about business
- understand business concepts
Centers of Expertise by Professional Type
WORK EXPERIENCE
My prior work experience stems largely from Citigroup, where I was Vice President. Some of the areas that I supported include: asset management, audit, business planning, mortgage and financial control (both domestic and international). I worked in a variety of localities including NYC, St. Louis and Hong Kong. In addition to Citigroup, I also worked for the IRS (Office of Chief Counsel) and Ernst & Young (tax services). I have been quoted on tax and legal issues in the Daily Record, and have presented on legal and tax topics to several organizations in the Rochester area.
Neeraj Shah, Esq., MBA, CPA
EDUCATION AND DESIGNATIONS
Esq. New York State Bar - admitted as Attorney and Counselor at Law
CPA Certified Public Accountant - New York State
JD Washington University in St. Louis, School of Law
(tax and estate planning)
MBA Cornell University, Johnson School of Management
(finance)
BA University of Rochester
(economics and political science)
New York University
(Certificate in Accounting)
University of Rochester
(Certificates in Management Studies)
(Certificate in International Relations)
(Special Achievement Citation in Finance)
JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE AS AN ATTORNEY
Courts of New York State, including:
- Court of Appeals, Supreme Courts, County Courts
- Surrogate's Courts, Family Courts, Court of Claims
U.S. Tax Court
SPEAKING OR WRITING ENGAGEMENTS
Sep, 2011 - “IRS Offshore Deadline is Friday,” Daily Record is Western New York’s premiere daily law publication with a focus on law, real estate, and finance.
Jan, 2018 - presentation on President Trump's landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Penfield Rotary Club
Jan, 2019 - panel discussion on tax reform highlights and buying and selling homes in 2019. Panelists included David Browne of Keller Williams and Jolene Flaherty of Premium Mortgage.
Feb, 2019 - presentation on tax reform impact and buying and selling homes in the current market. Co-presenter was David Browne of Keller Williams. Irondequoit Public Library.
Jan, 2020 - Income Tax Update (2019) presentation, Penfield Rotary Club
Jan, 2020 - delighted to have been invited by local libraries to speak on our current income tax code. Co-presenting with Happy Homes by The David Browne Team at Keller Williams Realty, Tax Update and Buying / Selling Homes in 2020. Various presentations at the following libraries: Gates Public Library, Fairport Public Library, Mendon Public Library, East Rochester Public Library, Livonia Public Library, Geneseo Wadsworth Public Library, and Irondequoit Public Library
Feb, 2021 - Income Tax Update (2020) presentation, Penfield Rotary Club
Mar, 2021 - webinar with Patrick Caufield (Edward Jones, Penfield Office 250/441), "Key Life Decisions: Are You Prepared?" and "Understanding Taxes"
Nov, 2022 - presentation to a local investment club at the American Association of University Women, "Investment Taxation and Basic Estate Planning"
Feb, 2023 - Income Tax Update (2022) presentation, Penfield Rotary Club
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERING
Board of Trustees, Penfield Public Library (2016-2025)
- Current Member (2023)
- Current Committee Appointment, Finance & Budget Committee
- Current Committee Appointment, Policy and By-Laws Committee
- Chair, Communication Committee (2018 and 2020)
- Chair, Finance & Budget Committee (2021, 2022 and 2023)
- Officer, Secretary (2018, 2019 and 2020)
- Officer, Finance (2021, 2022 and 2023)
- Liaison, Penfield Public Library Foundation (2023 and 2024)
- Adhoc Committee Appointment, Officer Nomination Committee (2022)
- Longest current serving member of the Board of Trustees. Some of the more important accomplishments during my term are as follows: 1) extended operating hours to accommodate earlier mornings, 2) new logo 3) freestanding sign installation in front of library entrance, 4) hiring and transition to a new library director, 5) Ruth Braman Room capital improvements, 6) communication between Penfield Public Library Foundation and the Board and 7) fiscal responsibility.
New York State Bar Association, Trust and Estates Law Section, Business Law Section
Monroe County Bar Association, Tax Section
- Co-Chair-elect, Continuing Legal Education Committee, YLS (2010-2011)
- Former Member, Law Practice Management Committee
- Former Member, Elder Law Committee and Lawyer Referral Service Committee
Penfield Central School District, Town of Penfield
- Member, School Website Committee (2023 and 2024)
Penfield Recreation, Town of Penfield
- Member, Strategic Master Plan Update Committee (2024)
- Member, Strategic Master Plan Update Committee (2019)
Cub Scouts, Pack 250 (Penfield)
- Recruiting Lead (2018-2019)
Annual Penfield Charity Golf Tournament at Shadow Lake Golf Club sponsored by Town of Penfield, Penfield Rotary and Kiwanis Club of Penfield-Perinton Foundation
- Proud Supporter (2021, 2022 and 2023)
SUPPORTER, PENFIELD BOYS BASKETBALL
Booster Business Sponsor
- Two-year Sponsor (2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons)
Professional Buzzer Finger
- tendency to hold the buzzer button for several seconds when my son enters the game
ALL IN THE FAMILY - 40+ YEARS STRONG
LALIT SHAH, MBA, CA - my dad
My dad is a rock star - and accounting is where he shines the most. I heard stories of him spending late nights (and early mornings) studying when he was a school-age boy. He enjoyed tutoring other children and was very proud of his hair style.
Dad ended up graduating from a distinguished college where he focused in commerce and economics. He took the Chartered Accountant (CA) exam, and earned one of the top scores in India! Mom and dad immigrated to America, and dad completed his MBA while working as a busboy to help make ends meet. He worked for a Fortune 500 company and a local accounting firm in Rochester, NY.
In the late 1970s, dad established an accounting practice to serve the local community. Today, his firm in Penfield is one the more successful accounting practices around. It is hard to go around town without bumping into someone who knows him. Dad's big smile seems to be contagious on the people he meets. The community is grateful for the decades-long service, and I am thankful for the close mentorship of hard work ethic and family values.
Thanks dad - I love you!
Lalit Shah, MBA, CA - my dad!
Photo by J. Thakar, long-time loyal, bosom buddy... dost!
ETHICS AND VALUES - Thanks Mom!
I thank my mom for all the values she instilled in me because those values are really at the core of my thoughts and actions today. Parenting isn't easy, and parenting in a foreign land can be overwhelming - she and my dad immigrated to America in the 1970s.
Mom delicately balanced western norms with traditional eastern values. She never let us forget where we were from. At night, mom would lead my brother and I in reciting religious scriptures - there wasn't any temple to visit in Penfield. She and dad spoke to us in our native tongue, and always reminded us of proper grammar when speaking Gujarati. Today - because of my mom (and cousins), I am one of few A.B.C.D.'s (look it up) who can speak, read and write in Gujarati. I'm just so grateful to have had the opportunity to play alongside my American friends, while still holding onto my Indian values.
Give respect to your elders.
Remember to say thank you.
Treat your family and friends with care.
Those are some of the value statements that my mom told me as a boy - and the same set of ethics and values that guide me today.
Thanks mom - I love you!
my mom!
Photo by J. Thakar, long-time loyal, brother-friend... bhai!
ON THE PERSONAL SIDE
I grew up in Penfield and graduated from Penfield High School. Spending time with my family is my #1 priority. We love all kinds of family hikes, but some family adventures were 100% more daring than others like:
* flying in a hot air balloon with my family over Letchworth State Park,
* snorkeling among the fish at Turks and Caicos,
* sand-boarding down the dunes at the Great Sand Dunes NP
We are huge fans of the National Parks. We just booked Glacier NP and hope to visit Everglades NP in the short-term. We really have a beautiful country, which is the backdrop of great family memories.
More routinely, however, we enjoy seasonal activities and watching our boys play. In the summer, we are usually outdoors. When the temperatures cool down, Kansas basketball and Buffalo Bills football dominate our TVs. I have yet to take the family to a Cornell Hockey game at Lynah Rink, but I will.
MY WIFE AND OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH COFFEE
Last but not the least, one of my most favorite thing to do is to share a small cup of Dunkin coffee with my amazing and accomplished wife - we always get 1 pump of mocha swirl to make our mornings extra special.
Life is short, and love is simple.
