September 15, 2013
It has always been said that knowledge is power, and at St. John's University, our alumni are among the most knowledgeable in their fields. Besides being experts in their professions, these gifted men and women are always willing to share their advice and experiences with their fellow graduates.
Traditionally, among the most valuable and popular alumni events has been the Meet the Experts workshop, held twice a year at convenient locations both on and off the University's campuses. At these information sessions, successful alumni share their expertise on topics including tax and estate planning, legal issues and tips for successful financial planning now and in the future.
Alumni who serve as panelists are grateful for the opportunity to assist their fellow graduates, understanding that it is a way to put the University's mission of service into practice in a very real way.
"Being a part of the Vincentian community is all about giving back," remarked John J. Ceparano, CPA, PFS, M.Tax, CFP, '85CBA, Private Wealth Manager at Joseph Capital Management, LLC. "It's a genuine pleasure for me to join my other alumni colleagues in sharing our expertise with our fellow graduates. Having the right information is so important for making the right financial decisions, and the Meet the Experts programs definitely get that information out to our audience. Once people know where to turn for information, they can make the right plans that will help them for the rest of their lives."
As Ceparano noted, having access to the most up-to-date information is only the first step toward making beneficial choices. Once you have the knowledge, it's important to turn to a professional for additional advice on how to make it work best for you.
Planning Is a Family Affair
A frequent presenter at Meet the Experts, attorney Gerard Wrynn '85CBA, '87L, a Member of Ferguson Cohen, LLP, has practiced primarily in the area of wills, trusts and estates since 1988. He also has extensive experience dealing with the Internal Revenue Service regarding the processing and audit of estate and gift tax returns, both at the agent and appeals level.
Wrynn believes that given the reality of today's economic times, intelligent estate planning is becoming more and more of a family affair. He feels that professional help is vital to help ensure that hard-working families will not be confused by the changes in the tax laws that occur nearly every year.
"Typically, you have parents working hard throughout their lives to build a nest egg and suddenly the potential to have a great portion of that disappear through taxes is a real shock to them," he said. "People today are living longer, their kids are older and more sophisticated and very often they're part of the process of helping to educate their parents about what's out there concerning taxes. Families are now working together to try to minimize those things."
Your Next Step
Making the most appropriate financial decisions isn't difficult, as long as you have access to the most up-to-date information and experts who are ready to show you how to use it. You are invited to take advantage of all that St. John's has to offer to help you secure the best financial future for you and your family.