Then and Now: Richard Pino, HHH West

HuntingtonNow.com takes a look at local high school graduates and what they’re doing now.

Name: Richard Pino III

High School: Half Hollow Hills High School West

Year Graduated: 2011

Richard Pino now

Comment about your high school experiences: High school was a very fun time in my life. I made many friends that I still consider friends to this day. I was active with DECA and the National Business Honor Society, both of which helped cement my interest in business. In addition, I played on the golf team for four years, finishing my senior year as the team MVP and All-League. I also spent time on the track & field and badminton teams. More important than the accolades I received in these groups were the people I met. Without participating in these activities, many of the friendships I maintain to this day would not be possible. In addition to the fellow students, the teachers I had were instrumental in preparing myself for college. I am very thankful for going to this high school and having these experiences.

Immediate post-high school (college, gap year, work, etc.): After graduating high school, I attended the Honors College at the University at Albany (SUNY). I spent four years in Albany and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. I loved my time in Albany, so I stayed one more year and completed my Master’s Degree in Professional Accountancy. During my fifth year in school, I completed all four parts of the CPA exam.

What you’re doing now (Including where): I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) finishing my second year as an Assurance Associate at Ernst & Young, LLP (EY), out of the Long Island office. The assurance practice serves clients by performing procedures to ensure financial disclosures are accounted for correctly.

Comment about what you’re doing now: As a member of the assurance practice, I work on small teams to complete audit procedures for our clients. Due to the profession being centered on the client, we are almost always travelling to the client site to complete our work. My clients are all located on Long Island, which gives me a short commute to wherever I am working for the day.

In addition to routine work, I’ve been able to participate in volunteer activities associated with the firm. I had the opportunity to teach a class of third graders basic skills around money and savings as a part of Junior Achievement. I was also a part of the annual Nassau County Empire State Games for the physically disabled, serving lunches to hundreds of participants. Other organizations I’ve gotten involved with include the Travis Manion Foundation (through the annual Huntington Heroes Race), March of Dimes, and Lustgarten Foundation.

Another part of the job I enjoy is the ability to recruit new students. EY recruits heavily from colleges, which allowed professionals to visit schools to talk about our experiences. I’ve been able to visit several schools on Long Island as well UAlbany to discuss my career with students.

Where do your parents or family live: My parents and I have lived in the Town of Huntington for over 25 years and continue to love it here. I don’t think I would last long outside of Huntington due to the lack of a late night Little Vincent’s cold cheese slice anywhere else.

Previously, Then and Now:

Kate Deegan

Amrom Svay

Anna Harris

Kaitlin Liegey

Ray Rizzo

Matt Markham

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