Sarah Robinson, a partner at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C. (TBC) has recently been named to the Albany Business Review’s list of Forty Under 40. The award honors 40 professionals in the Capital Region who are under 40 years of age for their outstanding business achievements and community influences. To be eligible, candidates must live and do business in the Capital Region counties that the Business Review covers for business news.

Robinson, 38 years old, is the third TBC employee to receive this accolade since the program’s inception in 2000. As one of the 40 honorees selected by an advisory committee of business leaders, she will be honored on May 12^th at the Albany Capital Center, Albany’s newest convention center.

“It is an honor to be included on a list of such an accomplished group of people who have received the award this year and in years past,” Robinson said. “I’ve been fortunate to be involved with two great organizations throughout my career. At both TBC and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY I’ve learned a great deal from the people I’ve worked with which has helped me become the professional I am today.”

Robinson joined the Firm in 1999, after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from the College of Saint Rose. She passed the CPA exam two years later. “I have been incredibly lucky to work with people who allowed me to take on leadership roles on client engagements early on,” Robinson said in regards to her advancement to partner at TBC. By 2014, she was named a partner at the Firm and found herself in charge of many of TBC’s client engagements in the various areas of the business including employee benefit plan audits, automobile dealerships and not-for-profit audits. Outside of the office, she gives back to the community in a significant way by participating as a Board of Director, specifically serving as the Treasurer, for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

According to Mark Quandt, executive director of the organization, Sarah is a model board member. Quandt says, “Sarah chairs the Finance Committee and has overseen a restructuring of the Food Bank’s investments and assisting with creating a new investment policy.  She has acquired new sponsors and auction items for fundraising events and is a generous contributor and supporter of these events.  Sarah always makes herself available for consultation when needed, and is a highly respected voice in discussions at Board meetings.  The Regional Food Bank is very fortunate to have such a dedicated, caring person on its Board of Directors and serving as Treasurer of the organization.”

In addition to Robinson’s client work, she plays an important role in leading the Firm’s internal senior accountant roundtable to encourage younger staff’s growth through sharing of experiences and knowledge. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is involved specifically with the AICPA’s employee benefit plan quality control center and internally, she sits on the firm’s employee benefit plan audit niche committee.

“Sarah is a very team-oriented, hard worker who never wants to be called out for individual success. It makes me very happy to see her being recognized in this special way,” said James Drislane, managing partner. “On behalf of everyone at TBC, I want to congratulate Sarah on this incredible honor. As one of the younger partners, she’s a role model to others who want to become outstanding professionals and community leaders.”

Serving clients in the areas of accounting, auditing, tax, and advisory services, the Firm offers specialty services such as trusts and estates administration, business advisory, valuation, litigation support services, fraud investigation, forensic accounting, and pension services for a diverse clientele in six primary markets: commercial businesses, governmental, employee benefit plans, labor organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals. Commercial clientele includes construction contractors, distributors, manufacturers, professional service firms, automotive dealers, real estate developers, retailers, technology companies, and wholesalers among other businesses.