On September 17, 2023, our valued team member, Sidney Kess, passed away at the age of 97. Sid was a senior consultant at Citrin Cooperman for many years, as well as a renowned educator and tax attorney at the New York law firm of Kostelanetz LLP. Sid is remembered for his unbridled enthusiasm for his profession, his boundless energy, and the warmth and generosity he shared with all of us lucky to have known and worked with him. Sid’s door was always open. He greeted every question with his eager smile and a “Let’s sit and talk about it” mindset.

Sidney Kess, CPA, J.D., LL.M., was a nationally renowned tax lawyer and accountant, as well as an author/coauthor of hundreds of tax books on financial and estate planning. He was included in Accounting Today’s “100 Most Influential CPAs in the U.S.” for several years, as well as CPA Magazine’s “Most Influential CPAs in the U.S.”

Partner Jim Grimaldi, who frequently worked with Sid said, “Sid was a great asset to our firm. On a personal level, he truly cared for people and befriended everyone he met. I will miss him.”

Sid was recognized with several honors and awards throughout his career for his professional dedication and incredible achievements. He was recognized with the AICPA’s “Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Service,” the highest possible award in the accounting profession. He was eponymously honored with the "Sidney Kess Award for Excellence in Continuing Education," to recognize individual CPAs who have made significant contributions in tax and financial planning and whose public service exemplifies the CPA profession's finest values and ethics. Sid was also the first recipient of the award.

Sid was extremely dedicated to both his profession and to the Jewish community, creating and organizing the New York Estate and Financial Planning Conference for the UJA-Federation of New York in 1969, which is still running after 54 years. In 2019, the UJA-Federation honored Sid for his 50 years of dedication to this conference, expressing their appreciation for the knowledge, energy, and commitment he invested each year.

Managing Partner Joe Bublé fondly remembers that, “Sid was the ultimate professional. He had generations of tax professionals that relied upon him for training. We enjoyed speaking at his conferences and being a part of his annual tax training DVDs.”

Executive Chairman Joel Cooperman says, “Sid was a trusted consultant who generously gave his time to train and mentor our people and to help market the firm within the accounting community and to many of his long-standing contacts.” Joel also adds that, “Sid was a gentle, friendly, and caring person who was concerned about everyone’s wellbeing. He was one of kind and will be deeply missed.”

Before his long career, Sid served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the signal corps, fighting in France and Germany during World War II. The GI Bill enabled him to embark upon his professional path soon after returning from his service overseas.

Sid was often quoted in significant periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He also had a syndicated column with financial reporter Robert Metz, which appeared in over 115 newspapers nationally. Additionally, Sid contributed a monthly column for the New York Law Journal entitled "Tax Tips," which has been published continually for over 50 years.

Sid was renowned for his many years of contributions to the AICPA’s continuing professional education program and was elected to the Estate Planning Hall of Fame by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils for his distinguished service to the field. He also received a "Distinguished Lecturer Award," and the AICPA "Personal Financial Planning Distinguished Service Award."

Chief Executive Officer Alan Badey expressed that, “Sid was an incredible mentor, freely and openly sharing his incredible depth of knowledge and invaluable insights to all who wanted to learn.”

Sid received his Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) from Baruch College, his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Harvard University School of Law, and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) from New York University Graduate School of Law.

We offer our greatest sympathy during this time of loss to all who had the true honor and privilege of knowing Sid.