Citrin Cooperman has named a pair of co-managing partners to handle the operations at its New York City headquarters, Patricia Cummings and Michael DeVito. They will be reporting to Joel Cooperman, who is transitioning from managing partner to CEO of the firm.
The management transition took effect Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014.
Citrin Cooperman ranked 25th on Accounting Today’s 2014 list of the Top 100 Firms and it is considered to be the 10th largest accounting firm in New York City by Crain’s New York Business. The firm has 625 partners and staff, with locations in New York, N.Y.; White Plains, N.Y.; Norwalk, Conn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Livingston, N.J.; and Plainview, N.Y.
“As our firm has grown, the complexity of governing and running our business has changed significantly,” Cooperman said in a statement. “I have for some time contemplated the need for our New York City office to have managing partners, allowing me to spend more time on the overall business of Citrin Cooperman. Pat and Mike are extraordinary leaders with a skillful combination of technical expertise and passion for innovation.”
As CEO, Cooperman plans to work with the firm’s office managing partners and Executive Committee to focus on expanding Citrin’s footprint in the marketplace and continue to steer the operation and entrepreneurial culture of the firm.
As members of the firm’s Executive Committee, Cummings, who is the partner-in-charge of the Private Equity and Capital Markets practice, and DeVito, the practice leader of the firm’s Real Estate practice, will continue in those capacities. They will jointly handle the day-to-day responsibilities of the New York City office and facilitate the office’s overall vision, strategy, and commitment to client service. This includes building out emerging industries, targeting new business, increasing the firm’s talent ladder to expand current service offerings, and venturing into new areas that will best suit the firm’s client demand.
Each will also have their own separate roles. Cummings’ emphasis will be overseeing office operations and marketing, including brand awareness, culture, and community involvement, while DeVito will focus on the firm’s human capital and talent management, as well as quality client service and experience.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for growth in so many new directions,” Cummings said. “I’m delighted to be appointed to this new position, with a particular focus on New York City. I look forward to working with Joel and Mike in this new capacity and bringing our firm—which is brimming with talent and industry luminaries—to the next level.”
“I am thrilled to be stepping into this role,” DeVito said. “Citrin Cooperman has grown so much and at such a fast rate that we needed to think about our structure differently. Pat and I are ready to put the spotlight on New York City and liberate Joel to allow him to focus on the future of the firm.”
Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, Cummings spent 17 years with Grant Thornton LLP, most recently as an assistant managing partner of its New York office. She has more than 25 years of experience providing audit, accounting, and advisory services to public and private multi-national clients in a number of industries including real estate, alternative energy and technology. Her client service experience includes leading complex engagements and helping clients confront challenging business issues. Cummings has extensive experience in acquisitions, divestitures, capital-raising transactions, including initial public offerings, and complex financial reporting issues. She was named one of Long Island’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business by Long Island Business News. Cummings received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Long Island University, C.W. Post Center and a Master of Business Administration in General Management from Dowling College. She is licensed as a CPA in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New York State Society of CPAs.
DeVito is an audit and business consulting partner with more than 30 years of experience in public accounting with a focus on providing accounting, audit, and advisory services to private clients in the real estate, distribution, and retail industries, as well as high net-worth individuals, their families and their businesses.An experienced auditor and consultant, DeVito helps clients improve efficiency; review and negotiate contracts, sales, and purchases; evaluate profitability; and structure acquisitions and large transactions. DeVito earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Pace University and is licensed as a CPA in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
