George Follini Jr, CPA, CGMA, MS: Accomplished CPA and Financial Executive with Extensive Expertise in Accounting, Asset Management, and Financial Leadership

George Follini Jr is a distinguished Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) with over 35 years of comprehensive experience in public accounting, finance, and alternative asset management. His expertise encompasses tax strategy, financial reporting, asset management, investment oversight, and executive financial leadership, positioning him as a trusted advisor and business leader within the financial services, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors.

George earned his Master’s degree in Taxation (2002) and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting (1989), both from Pace University, New York. His academic foundation, combined with practical experience, has enabled him to develop a robust skill set in tax compliance, financial modeling, and complex regulatory environments.

Currently, George is the sole owner of Follini & Associates CPA, P.C., a successful multi-office CPA firm operating across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. Since founding the firm in 2014, he has grown the practice from a single office to seven locations, providing accounting, tax, and advisory services to small and mid-sized businesses. Under his leadership, the firm maintains a dedicated staff of twelve professionals, with offices strategically located in Ramsey, NJ, and Fishkill, NY. His ability to scale operations across multiple states highlights his strong operational acumen and commitment to client service excellence.

Before founding his firm, George held a prominent leadership role at Guggenheim Partners, where he served as Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer, and shareholder of their alternative asset management business from 2002 to 2014. During this period, he was instrumental in scaling the business to a multi-billion dollar enterprise, guiding strategic business planning, budgeting, and compliance oversight. As co-chief compliance officer early in his tenure, George ensured rigorous adherence to regulatory requirements and fostered strong relationships with legal counsel, insurance providers, accounting firms, and other key stakeholders. He also developed and implemented executive compensation packages and pioneered innovative treasury and cash management programs that optimized firm liquidity and investment returns.

George’s career foundation was built at leading global accounting firms, including PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte & Touche, where he specialized in tax management for financial services clients. He managed large teams and served hedge funds, private equity firms, and broker-dealers, advising on complex tax and compliance issues. His expertise includes drafting partnership agreements, conducting international tax structuring for multi-jurisdictional entities, and advising on derivative and real estate transactions. George also developed national training programs on industry regulations and tax compliance, demonstrating his commitment to education and professional development.

George is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and maintains active memberships with the AICPA, NYSSCPA, NJSSCPA, and CSCPA. He has served on several professional committees related to international taxation and financial product taxation, underscoring his thought leadership in the field.

Fluent with a broad range of financial products and technology platforms, George is well-versed in hedge fund strategies and third-party administrator relationships, bringing valuable operational insight to his clients and collaborators.

George’s blend of technical expertise, operational leadership, and strategic vision continues to drive his commitment to delivering superior financial services and guiding organizations toward sustainable growth and compliance excellence.

Character: George is a dedicated and trustworthy financial leader known for his integrity and commitment to client service excellence.

Knowledge: He possesses deep expertise in public accounting, taxation, asset management, and complex financial regulations developed over 35 years.

Strategic: George has a proven track record of scaling businesses, implementing innovative financial strategies, and driving operational growth across multiple states.

Communication: He effectively builds consensus among stakeholders, fosters strong professional relationships, and has led national training programs on regulatory compliance and tax issues.