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An Interview with James B. Evans — 2003/04 President

As the 2003/04 President of the New Jersey Society of CPAs, James B. Evans Jr., CPA, still finds himself a bit surprised to be leading one of the largest associations for CPAs in the nation. The position, he explains, is not one he sought, but rather one that came his way. But those who know Evans know that he is a person who gives his all to his profession, to the issues that affect it, and to trying to make New Jersey a better place for businesses. As an additional testament to his energy and commitment, he was asked last year to chair the Corporation Business Tax (CBT) Study Commission, which will assess the performance of New Jersey’s Business Tax Reform Act of 2002. In a recent interview, Evans talked about his goals for the year and his experiences as an active and involved CPA.

What inspired you to become a CPA and a lawyer?
That’s something I haven’t thought about for a while. But as an undergraduate, like many students, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I took some business courses — and, of course, accounting was in the mix. It was some of the accounting teachers who captured the attention of a number of us. An adjunct professor brought us into his practice and shared his war stories. He gave us a real taste and feel for the profession, and it got me interested. I don’t think my experience as a student was unique. In fact, I am certain that it continues to happen. The hooks that will catch the brightest students for our profession are being baited each day by dynamic accounting educators. We are fortunate to have so many of them active in our Society. After graduation, I joined Bowman & Company, where my close friendship with (Immediate Past President) Jack Dailey began. After several years, I decided to go back to school and study tax law.

What area of law does your firm — Kulzer & DiPadova, P.A. — specialize in?
We are a law firm in Haddonfield, about 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia. We have about a dozen professionals, and more than half of us are both attorneys and CPAs. We limit our practice to tax planning and compliance, estate planning and business transactions. Our typical client is a closely held business and its owners. The firm is a good place to work and encourages participation in both bar and accounting organizations. It is their support that has allowed me to take on this role with our Society. I am indebted to them.

How did you get involved in politics?
I don’t think of myself as being involved in politics. In fact, except for my NJ-CPA-PAC contributions, I have never made a financial contribution to a political campaign. My first experience with the legislative process was back when New Jersey was finally getting around to recognizing S corporations. I was already involved with the Society and pitched in to help several members who were leading the effort for change. Being involved with the Society provided me with an opportunity to get involved on the state legislative front.

How did you become involved with the Society?
I first got involved on the chapter level. I’ve been lucky to have always worked with firms that encouraged participation in professional associations. Years ago, I got a call from one of the leaders in the Southwest Jersey Chapter asking if I would serve on the chapter board. I said yes — and later found out what was involved! Seriously, though, active participation in our Society brings great opportunities and rewards. I look back on my involvement as a chapter and committee member and there isn’t one meeting I have attended where I was not impressed by the contribution of the other members and motivated by the ideas I came away with. I am convinced that there is a multiplier effect to participation in our Society that ensures you will always receive more than you give.

As the 82nd president of the Society, what are some of your goals?
As an organization, we have to continue to offer all our members the opportunity to be an active participant in our Society. We are fortunate that as a professional association our membership penetration is pretty high — the vast majority of CPAs in the state are members of our Society. But it’s not just about being a dues-paying member, it’s about being involved, contributing to and drawing from our Society.

The Committee and Chapter task forces that Jack Dailey brought together last year revealed a startling number of unengaged members. Each task force took a hard look at how we can get more members actively involved in our Society. They have come up with some great ideas that we will be piloting this year. We have to have a variety of ways for members to participate. Whether it is through chapter or committee meetings, technical task forces that address current professional developments, special programs or statewide electronic discussions, participation opportunities have to be convenient, flexible, effective and valuable to each of us as members.

During the next three years, we have a unique opportunity to reach all New Jersey CPAs. Each of us is now required to take a state board–approved ethics course. Our Society’s Law & Ethics course will be a great new opportunity to reach out and involve member and non-member CPAs alike. It’s critically important that each of us renew our commitment to be active participants in our profession and our Society. My goal over the next year is to get every CPA in New Jersey to do just that.

Do you feel the reputation of the CPA has been tarnished by recent events?
Sure, we’ve taken a hit. But I don’t think most people view the events of the recent past as being a true reflection of our profession. What will reflect on our profession is how we respond to the reforms that have been brought to us and the reforms that originate from us. We need to reemphasize the importance of our core values — especially integrity and objectivity. We have to make sure those values remain at the center of what we do, where we are going, and how we conduct our practices and businesses. Some CPAs still feel that the changes taking place will not affect them day-to-day. They will. They will affect us all. Fortunately, CPAs continue to be the most trusted business professionals. That trust is rooted in the audit and attest responsibilities our profession has assumed. We all benefit from the goodwill and public confidence that have been built around those core functions. We also all have a duty to protect and add to that professional goodwill. I’m constantly reminded of that goodwill. For example, when I’m sitting with a potential client and volunteer that a number of us in my firm are not only attorneys but also CPAs, it always seems to bring a sense of reassurance to the client. That is because of the goodwill the CPA designation carries with it. We all benefit from more than 100 years of accumulated goodwill, and it is our ongoing responsibility to make sure that goodwill is never compromised.

Can you talk about your role as chair of the CBT study commission?
I’m the guy who takes the lunch order! It’s also a great opportunity to work with a talented group of people. The commission members bring a broad range of tax and business experience to the commission. In some ways, the commission has an unusual challenge. We have been asked to report on the effectiveness of New Jersey’s recent business tax revisions just as the first results are becoming known. It’s kind of like being a sportswriter and having to write the story as the game is being played. To meet our mission, we will have to draw upon insights from members of the general public and the business community, including the members of the NJSCPA and its State Taxation Committee, who are directly involved with the businesses that are working through these new tax provisions.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy gardening. I used to garden more than I have in recent years. Fortunately, my dear friend Margie shares my love of gardening and has taken up the slack for me. One of my favorite recent projects was building a garden pond. There was a spot in my garden I called the "valley of death" — everything I planted there died. With the help of a friend and my uncle, we "planted" a pond there over the course of a several weekends. I’ve always loved water in the garden. The pond with its water lilies and fish has become the focal point of my garden. I’m also fortunate to live in Haddonfield, the town where I grew up. It has allowed me to stay close to my parents and my sister and her family.

The materials and information contained within New Jersey CPA are offered as information only and not as practice, financial, accounting, legal or other professional advice. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the New Jersey Society of CPAs.

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