Long Island CPA Recognized for Service to Nonprofit Organizations

The New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) has awarded David M. Rottkamp, a Long Island CPA from Suffolk County, with the 2018 Urbach CPA Community Builders Award for his effective leadership and service to nonprofit organizations in his community.

“It is an honor to be the recipient of this year’s award, said Rottkamp. “To be linked to such an inspirational fellow CPA as Michael Urbach is truly amazing,” said Rottkamp. “His volunteerism to the not-for-profit community throughout his career was so extensive; to be recognized in that same vein is very humbling.”

The Urbach Award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, who was a partner at Urbach, Kahn & Werlin Advisors Inc. (now called UHY Advisors); a former commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; and former officer and board member of a number of charities. The Urbach Award—co-sponsored by the NYSSCPA and the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON)—is given to CPAs who have made outstanding contributions while serving on the board of directors of charitable organizations.

Rottkamp’s leadership and financial expertise were most recognized for his national and local board service at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (National MS Society), a nonprofit organization aimed at providing resources and support to those affected by MS, while working toward a world free of MS.

“When I was younger, my mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis,” said Rottkamp. “Joining the [National MS Society] Long Island Chapter board 12 years ago allowed me to bring my financial and governance background to the local Chapter.”

After creating Team Rottkamp, in honor of his mother, for the National MS Society’s annual Walk MS event, and successfully raising over $125,000 to date, Rottkamp joined the national board in 2012.

“When I joined the National Board of Directors, it became crystal clear to me the passion, dedication and determination of 1,000 employees have toward fighting this disease. Their inspiration, coupled with that of my mother, continues to keep me focused and has continued to drive me, at both the local and national level,” said Rottkamp.

President and CEO of the National MS Society, Cyndi Zagieboylo, also recognized Rottkamp’s board service.

“David’s leadership in moving to one financial infrastructure and one audit has increased our efficiency significantly,” said Zagieboylo. “It has allowed us to provide in-depth nationwide services so that each person affected by MS, no matter where they live, has access to a supportive partner in addressing the challenges of MS through our MS Navigator service.”

Rottkamp was also recognized for his board involvement with NYCON, as he helped the organization reach major milestones such as the integration and alignment of NYCON’s diverse family of affiliates and programs.

“Joining the NYCON board seven years ago has allowed me to be a part of the deep history that NYCON has with the nonprofit sector. Working with a very talented board and staff leadership, we have been able to accomplish great things at NYCON that will continue to shape the landscape of the nonprofit sector in New York state, including advocacy, education, public policy, nonprofit capacity building, and leadership,” stated Rottkamp.

As a practicing CPA, Rottkamp has provided audit and advisory services for clients in the not-for-profit industry for more than 31 years and currently works at Grassi & Co. as an audit partner, not-for-profit practice leader, and partner-in-charge of the firm’s New York City office.

Rottkamp has been a Society member since 1994, is a member of its Nassau Chapter, has chaired the Society’s Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Organizations committees, and continues to be an active member of the Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee. He continues to serve on the National MS Society’s Board, both nationally and locally, as well as on NYCON’s board, where he is the current chair. He also serves on the board of Governance Matters, Inc.

“Lending your expertise to the nonprofit sector is very rewarding,” said Rottkamp. “As a CPA, we are able to provide a technical resource unlike many others. At the same time, we work so closely with our clients that we can see how they achieve success within their organizations. We are able to share the knowledge we have learned from that work, convert it to best practices and bring it all to the nonprofits where we volunteer.”

Rottkamp will be formally awarded during NYCON’s Annual Business Meeting on October 4 at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y. To register for the luncheon, contact Melissa Currado at mcurrado@nycon.org or call 1-800-515-5012, ext. 100. To register online, visit nycon.org.