Albion native, a CPA in Syracuse, wins award for service to agencies
SYRACUSE – An Albion native has won a state-wide award given to a certified public accountant who is a leader at a charitable organization.
James A. Bowers has been influential with several organizations, especially InterFaith Works, an agency in Syracuse that brings people together different religions, races, and cultures; and Transitional Living Services of Onondaga County, which serves people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health issues.
James Bowers
Bowers has been named the 2016 recipient of the 13th annual Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award.
“I would certainly recommend CPAs to give back to non-profit organizations,” Bowers said. “The financial expertise of CPAs is needed to help balance budgets as funding for these programs tightens up. CPAs have a certain way of seeing things, such as how the mission of an organization and its financial status can work together. This is why CPAs should find an organization that they are interested in and give back.”
Originally from Albion, Bowers graduated from St. John Fisher College, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Bowers has been involved in serving Short Line Railroad Industry clients for over 40 years and has been an influential force for the Short Line Railroad industry on a national level, playing an important role in the creation, lobbying, and securing of the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation Tax Credit, and speaks often at National and Regional ASLRRA conferences.
Bowers has extensive knowledge, experience and service to nonprofits in the Syracuse region. Beth Broadway of Interfaith Works of CNY said Bowers is a “quintessential non-profit volunteer.” He has served on the agency’s board since 1986. She said his expertise helped her agency survive “serious financial challenges.”
Additional organizations and foundations that have benefitted from his volunteerism and leadership include St. Joseph’s the Worker Church, where he served as chairman of the Finance Committee for the last 33 years; Transitional Living Services; Dunbar Association; and the Faith-Hope Center. He has also served as a member, officer and board member of both the Rochester and Syracuse Kiwanis Club for 35 years.
The 2016 award will formally be presented at the New York Council of Nonprofits’ Annual Business Meeting on Oct. 6 in New Paltz.
