Michael Zovistoski Praised for His Community Service and as an Inspiration to the Next Generation of CPAs

Partner Michael Zovistoski is honored with the Arthur J. Dixon Public Service Award. This award recognizes CPAs who have a demonstrated history of public service and volunteerism for a charitable, community or civic organization. It celebrates the quality of, and dedication to, philanthropic service and the CPA’s overall contribution to building and fostering community.

Michael Zovistoski, who served as president of the NYSSCPA in 2016–2017, has also held multiple positions at the Society, including secretary/treasurer, director-at-large and president of the State Society and the Northeast Chapter. In addition to his service to the Society, he remains actively involved in fostering community by dedicating his time and efforts to various civic and philanthropic organizations. For all of his achievements and contributions, Zovistoski is the 2024 recipient of the Arthur J. Dixon Public Service Award.

“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of a public service award than F. Michael Zovistoski,” said Beth van Bladel, the president of the Society’s Northeast Chapter, who nominated him for the award. “He authentically dedicates his time and talents to our profession and community organizations. He is an inspiration to me and the next generation of CPAs!”

“Mike is very deserving of this honor,” said Marilyn Pendergast, a longtime partner of Zovistoski’s at UHY Advisors, where he has worked for 36 years. She also served as the first female NYSSCPA president, in 1994 –1995. “It is an honor to work with him at the Society and at the firm,” she said.

Zovistoski first discovered accounting at Granville High School in his native Middle Granville, N.Y.

“As [with] most high school students. I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career, with my life, and, unfortunately, the guidance counselors weren’t much help,” he said. “In my junior year, I took an accounting class, and I realized, ‘I can actually do this.’ It appealed to me in high school. So that became my focus.”

“That’s why I advocate for financial literacy,” he continued. “If you don’t get the right advice coming out of high school from either your parents or your guidance counselor, it’s a hard road to get somebody to consider accounting.”

After earning a two-year degree from Albany Business College, later acquired by Bryant & Stratton Business Institute, he worked as a full time controller at Albany City Hostel, a provider of housing and services to developmentally disabled adults, while studying for his four-year degree at Siena College at night. Two months before graduation, “I let my fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages,” he said, sending his résumé and cover letter to “pretty much every CPA firm in the area,” and ultimately landing at Coopers & Lybrand, a predecessor to PwC, while still in school.

After four years, he moved to the Albany office of UHY. He is now partner at UHY LLP and managing director of UHY Advisors. He is a member of the firm’s National Manufacturing/Distribution and Marketing groups and a former member of the Northeast Executive Committee, as well as a co-founder of UHY Advisors’ wealth management practice.

Zovistoski joined the NYSSCPA in 1987 and has never stopped serving the organization, said van Bladel.

“I proudly had a front seat view of Mike’s contributions to the NYSSCPA when, during my first chapter presidency over 20 years ago, he volunteered to co-chair the Northeast Chapter Members in Industry Committee and joined the Northeast Chapter Executive Board, where he advanced through the officer ranks to president,” she said. “Whatever the position, Mike invests himself in each role and brings enthusiasm, dedication and firm resources to benefit NYSSCPA members. Since I reassumed the role of Northeast Chapter president, he has supported me in re-engaging our members by participating in monthly board and CFO Committee meetings, legislative events, NextGen events and the annual COAP [Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession] program. He has encouraged his colleagues to become NYSSCPA members, and I am proud to say that a colleague he is mentoring has stepped up to become president-elect of the Northeast Chapter.”

After Zovistoski completed his term as president of the Northeast Chapter in 2008, he volunteered for statewide service. His committee service included chairing the Professional Liability Insurance, Member Benefits, Finance, Awards and Nominating committees, as well as the Selections Subcommittee. He served on the Board of Directors as both a director-at-large and as a director as chapter representative. He then joined the Executive Board in 2012, where he advanced through the officer ranks to president. He also chaired the first NYSSCPA Cannabis Symposium, in 2016.

While serving on the Executive Board, Zovistoski also served as a trustee of the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE), holding the position of treasurer, and he represented the NYSSCPA on the AICPA Council from 2015 to 2021. He also served on the Moynihan Scholarship Fund (MSF) Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2023, working to establish MSF as a standalone 501 (c)(3) organization, separate from FAE. He is chair of the AICPA Life Insurance/Disability Plans, which provides oversight for plan administration of insurance products that are responsive to the needs of AICPA members.

His philanthropic contributions include serving as president, board member, and member of the Finance and Governance Committees of 518 ElevatED, a college success program for inner-city students. It offers personalized, long-term academic support and guidance for students in Albany, Troy and Schenectady high schools, beginning in the 10th grade and continuing through college graduation.

He is also the board treasurer of Double H Ranch, which provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

“He is very concerned about others,” said Pendergast. “He is always ready to serve".

Zovistoski is an active member of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee, and has served on the boards of Siena College School of Business Advisory Board, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, and the College of Saint Rose Planned Giving Committee.

“I have had a storybook career,” Zovistoski said about his life as an accountant. “When I was graduating from high school, I really had no idea as far as where being a CPA … would take me. It’s really been amazing. … There have been ups and downs, but, for the most part, I wouldn’t trade any of it in for the world.”

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