Knowledge and Insights
Mercadien Announces Executive Promotions; Names Ms. Raji Sathappan A Partner
September 2019
The Mercadien Group is pleased to announce several promotions within the firm’s corporate leadership team. Ms. Raji Sathappan, CPA, MBA, CRCM, CAMS, a member of the Financial Institutions Services Group, is promoted to managing director of The Mercadien Group and principal in Mercadien, P.C., CPAs (the official titles of firm partners). Raji has been employed with Mercadien since 2014 and resides in Lawrence Township, NJ.
Three professionals were promoted to the level of director: Ms. Holly Sabo, CPA, PFS, MST, CGMA, a member of the Individual & Family Office and Tax Services Groups and resident of Hamilton, NJ; Ms. Bjondina Karpuzi, CPA, PSA, a member of the Private Company Services Group and resident of Marlton, NJ; and Mr. Jorge Olazagasti, MBA, a member of the Financial Institutions Services Group and resident of Reading, PA.
Four associates were promoted to manager: Mr. Matthew Daly, CPA, a member of the Government Services Group and resident of Doylestown, PA; Mr. Benjamin McDannell, CPA, a member of the Nonprofit & Human Services Group and resident of Lower Bucks County, PA; Mr. Raphael (RJ) Carletti, CPA, member of the Nonprofit & Human Services Group and resident of Burlington, NJ; and Mr. David Sullivan, CPA, a member of the Compliance Oversight Services Group and resident of Gloucester Township, NJ.
An additional 22 professionals in various practice areas of the firm also were promoted. Mr. Conrad L. Druker, CPA, CGMA, the managing principal of Mercadien, stated, “We congratulate our colleagues on their advancements in executive leadership position, which is in recognition of their skills, dedication, and contributions to the service of our clients. Their promotions also reflect our firm’s continued business growth and focus on the development of our people.” Mercadien, which marked its 55th anniversary in 2018, employs approximately 160 individuals and provides accounting, auditing, tax, consulting, technology, and wealth management services.
Profiles of the eight promoted executives follow:
Ms. Raji Sathappan, CPA, MBA, CRCM, CAMS, manages engagements for financial institution clients, primarily
A sought-after expert, author and professional trainer on these topics, Raji has earned several important banking industry credentials, such as Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager and Certified Anti-Money-Laundering Specialist. She frequently presents to, and is a member of, numerous organizations, including: New Jersey, American and Pennsylvania Bankers Associations; Insured Financial Institutions, Association of International Bank Auditors; Central NJ Compliance Group; and various chapters of the Financial Managers Society and Institute of Internal Auditors.
A member of the American Institute of CPAs, Raji earned her Bachelor’s in Accounting from the Northern University of Malaysia and her Master’s in Business Administration from the Ashcroft International Business School, in Cambridge, England. She serves on the boards of directors and as treasurer of both the United Way of Greater Mercer County and the Lawrence Township Community Foundation and is fluent in four languages: Tamil, Malay, Indonesian and English.
Ms. Holly Sabo, CPA, PFS, MST, CGMA, works with individual and business clients, providing expert financial, tax and
A member of the American Institute and NJ Society of CPAs and Mercer County Estate Planning Council, Holly assists with in-house training and continuing professional education programs. She is a frequent presenter to groups and authors articles on tax laws and related topics. Holly is a Personal Financial Specialist and Chartered Global Management Accountant and earned a Master’s in Taxation from Philadelphia University and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from The College of New Jersey. She serves on the board of directors and as treasurer of The Learning Cooperatives of Princeton, Bucks and Raritan.
Ms. Bjondina Karpuzi, CPA, PSA, is responsible for planning and overseeing various corporate and nonprofit client
Bjondina is a member of the American Institute and NJ Society of CPAs and earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Rutgers University. She is a member of the board of directors of Millhill Child & Family Development Center and the audit committee of the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey.
Mr. Jorge Olazagasti, MBA, has more than 20 years of progressive banking industry experience in all areas of enterprise
Mr. Olazagasti earned a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor’s in Agribusiness Management from the University of Puerto Rico. Jorge completed the Executive Graduate Program in Retail and Consumer Banking Management at the Darden Graduate School of the University of Virginia and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Matthew Daly, CPA, oversees staff engagement teams and planning and performs audits and agreed-upon procedures for
Mr. Daly also reviews the effectiveness of clients’ internal controls, as well as financial reporting, disclosure and compliance issues of entities subject to Uniform Guidance, OMB 15-08, Government Auditing Standards, and state, local and municipal reporting requirements. Matthew is an active member of the firm’s Associate Advisory Committee and the American Institute of CPAs, the Lymphoma Research Foundation and the Alumni Association of Lehigh University, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance.
Benjamin McDannell, CPA, manages engagement teams in the performance of audits of nonprofit organizations,
In the commercial sector, Ben has worked with clients in various industries, including technology, manufacturing, and capital management and leasing. He not only performs and reviews the various risk assessments associated with audit work, but also identifies areas of improvement for clients, based on their industry and the regulatory risks to which they may be exposed. He advises how they can strengthen their internal processes and control structures.
Mr. McDannell is a member of the American Institute and NJ Society of CPAs and serves as president of the board of directors of the Children’s House of Bucks County. He earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting with a minor in finance from Franklin Pierce University.
Raphael (RJ) Carletti, CPA, manages audit engagements for trade associations, private schools, and human services
RJ plans audit projects and works with staff to ensure timely completion and with clients to ensure all expectations are met. His responsibilities also include finding solutions to engagement issues, performing engagement and tax reviews, and reviewing internal control risks.
Mr. Carletti also has experience in providing tax services to real estate associations, as well as audit and assurance services and compliance with GAAP to for-profit and not-for-profit clients. A member of the American Institute and NJ Society of CPAs, RJ earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from The College of New Jersey. He serves on the board of directors of Meals on Wheels of Mercer County.
David Sullivan, CPA, specializes in audit and compliance engagements, performing agreed-upon procedures, performance
The Mercadien Group is a family of entities that provides a full spectrum of accounting and advisory services; including traditional audit and financial reporting, tax compliance and planning, compliance oversight, risk assessment, litigation support, management and board consulting; as well as technology solutions and wealth management. Founded in Princeton in 1963, the firm serves privately-owned companies of nearly every type and industry, as well as financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and wealthy individuals and families. Mercadien provides forward-thinking, relationship-driven financial and strategic services that maximize wealth and profitability, minimize taxes and risk, evaluate systems and processes, and increase efficiencies for its many diverse and valued clients. Learn more at Mercadien.com.