Bridging the Gap Between Practice and Theory: Christakos Named to "NJBIZ" Top Accountant List

The Christakos family – (left to right) Andrew, Anna, Tara and Jeff – together at the 2023 NJCPA Annual Conference and Expo in June.

The next time you think about the most influential men and women in the accounting profession – the ones who New Jersey businesses count on for guidance during good times and bad, be sure to think of P. Jeffrey (Jeff) Christakos.

Seton Hall’s own Christakos, who just completed his first year as professor of both accounting and wealth management at the Stillman School of Business, recently was named to the 2023 NJBIZ Accounting Power 50. The list, published annually, recognizes the top accounting professionals at businesses in all industries throughout the state.

This is Christakos’ fourth consecutive year to make the list.

As cited in NJBIZ:

"A tax partner at Christakos & Co. PC for more than 30 years, and a senior investment advisor at Westfield Wealth Management LLC for 20-plus years, Christakos bridges the gap between practice and theory as an accounting and wealth management professor at Seton Hall University. He has previously been hailed as a top accounting professor, and has been recognized by organizations like the NJCPA, which previously named him Volunteer of the Year and honored him with an Exceptional Educator Ovation Award. Christakos is highly ranked and respected by students, according to insiders, who say he brings 'a real-world view of accounting' to university classes."

Christakos and his family – wife, Anna, whom he started dating while both were students at Seton Hall in the 1970s and children, Tara and Andrew, both CPAs – attended the 2023 New Jersey Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) Annual Conference and Expo together in mid-June. There, Christakos was appointed president of the NJCPA Union County Chapter, Anna was installed as director, Tara as secretary.

"It was quite a family affair," said Christakos. "Anna and I are very proud of the path our kids have chosen – despite that both studied at Rutgers!" Both Christakos and his wife are alumni of the Seton Hall Class of (Fall) 1978.

Speaking of alma maters, Christakos has fond memories of his time as a student on the Seton Hall campus, besides that it is where he met Anna.

"My favorite accounting professor was Emil Hensler, who taught Advanced Accounting," said Christakos. "Professor Hensler won the NJCPA Outstanding Educator Award in 1992 – the same award I received in 2019, the first year the organization brought it back after a hiatus."

Anna and Jeff Christakos on the SHU campus, circa 1978, shortly before their graduation.

Christakos said that while he was honored to receive that award, it gained even more significance once he learned that Hensler won it before him. Professor Hensler retired from Seton Hall in 1991 as professor of accounting and finance after a distinguished 30-year career.

Another influential professor during Christakos’ years at Seton Hall was Jack Jordan. "We were Professor Jordan’s first students here in the fall of 1977," said Christakos. "His love for economics was inspiring and, so, he became my inspiration to become a college professor."

Congratulations to Professor Jeff Christakos on his recent accolades. Read the NJBIZ article in its entirety.

Categories: Business