Michael T. Hanley, CPA – 2018 40 Under 40 Honoree

• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Member, NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants
• President, Irish Business Network
• Director, Kings  Park Chamber of Commerce
• President, Suffolk Business Executives
• Treasurer, Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• Member, Accountant’s Resource Group
• QuickBooks ProAdvisor
• Past President, Kings Park/Smithtown AOH
• Member, Smithtown Industry Advisory Board
• Member, Smithtown Chamber of Commerce

Highlights

In addition to having three small business accounting books published (Choosing the Right Structure for Your Business, Effective Tax Planning for the MicroBusiness, and Why You Should Incorporate Your Real Estate Business), Michael’s expert tax advice has been featured in Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, Long Island Business News, and dozens of other publications nationwide.  Michael started his accounting practice in 2003 and has grown it organically in rapid fashion.  Last year, Michels & Hanley CPAs, LLP was rated the Top Accounting Firm on Long Island by readers of Long Island Business News.  Also last year, SmartCEO Magazine recognized Michels & Hanley as one of the 50 fastest growing companies on Long Island.  Michael has received numerous awards, including Long Island Business News Business & Finance Award, ExecuLeaders Excellence in Small Business Accounting, and Long Island Business News 40 Under 40.

What are you doing to make a difference in the profession, your community, the world?

Outside of performing accounting and tax services, Michael stays very active in his community.  He is the founder of Networking for a Cause, which hosts an annual Toy Drive for Angela’s House, Food Drive for Kings Park Food Pantry, Pet Supply Drive for Smithtown Animal Shelter, and Handmade Holiday Card Drive for Angela’s House.  Along with his wife and two children, he volunteers twice each week to care for 15-20 dogs living at a local animal shelter – walking, feeding, and giving them rubs.  His community service has been recognized by Salvation Army, receiving their 2014 Doing the Most Good Award and the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, receiving their 2010 Person of the Year Award.  Irish Echo named him on of 2012’s Irish-American Young Leaders and he has received numerous proclamations from the NYS Senate, Suffolk County Legislature, and various other governmental organizations.

What do you see yourself doing professionally in 10 years?  My passion is preparing Corporate Tax Returns.  As our firm grows, I hope to be able to continue to prepare every single Corporate Tax Return for my clients without having to hand them off to staff accountants.  Not only is it the aspect of accounting that I enjoy most, but I see this as a very unique position for our clients to be in – having their tax returns physically prepared by the Managing Partner of their accounting firm.
What websites/magazines do you use to keep up on news of the accounting profession?  CPA Journal, CPA Practice Advisor, Accounting Today

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See more of the 2018 40 Under 40 Honorees, and the 20 Under 40 Vendor Stars.