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Professor DeSarno earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He also holds two Masters Degrees, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a Masters of Science (MS) in Financial Planning from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an active member of both the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Professor DeSarno began his career as an Auditor with the Big4 Public Accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. During his accomplished 25 year accounting career, he served in leadership positions as a Controller for public, private and non-profit organizations.

Professor DeSarno has followed his passion for teaching and currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor in Accounting at the Feliciano School of Business. He has successfully taught a broad spectrum of courses ranging from the gateway to capstone courses in the accounting program. Prior to coming to Montclair State University, Professor DeSarno taught at Bloomfield College where he served for three years as an Assistant Professor & Coordinator of the Accounting Program. Prior to that while working in industry, Professor DeSarno also taught in the evenings as an Adjunct Professor at both Fairleigh Dickinson University and the County College of Morris.

Professor DeSarno has also created original curriculum in the area of franchising & entrepreneurship. In doing this, he leveraged knowledge gained in serving for over ten years in the franchise industry as a CFO and Regional Controller with two iconic brands and his experience advising countless entrepreneurs. His work includes developing a series of franchising / entrepreneurship courses. The initial class entitled “Introduction to Franchising” was launched in the Spring 2023 semester at Bloomfield College with strong student interest and very positive feedback.

It is Professor DeSarno’s teaching philosophy to not only achieve the desired learning outcomes but to also create an engaging learning experience that motivates and inspires his students. Professor DeSarno has a proven record and extraordinary ability to connect with his students by leveraging his extensive first-hand professional accounting experience in order to create lessons that provide valuable perspective and bring the material to life.

Outside the classroom, Professor DeSarno actively guides his students in pursuing their degrees as well as advises them on their careers. An example of the significant impact that he has had outside the classroom is his leadership in founding the creation of the Bloomfield College Business Student Association (BSA). This organization plays an important role at the college with accounting and business students as it provides a critical bridge and needed exposure to the business community.

In 2023, Professor DeSarno received the “Impact Ovation Award” from the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (an organization of over 13,000 members) in recognition of exemplary and stellar achievement in advancing New Jersey’s Accounting Profession.

Professor DeSarno is not only a strong advocate for the accounting profession, he is also a speaker and writer on the topic of strengthening the pipeline of students entering the accounting profession. His recent publication that appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of the New Jersey CPA Magazine entitled “Rebranding Accounting and Engaging Students in the Classroom” discussed this topic. He also serves on the NJCPA Pipeline Task Force where his passion, insight and experience in accounting education are valuable assets.

In addition, Professor DeSarno also serves on a number of boards & committees where he shares his accounting expertise. As a grateful double cornea transplant recipient, Professor DeSarno is proud to serve on the Advisory Board of Eversight (formerly known as the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey). The mission of this organization is to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research. He is also active in his community, volunteering with a number of organizations as well as serving as the past Chair of both the Finance and Capital Budgeting Committees in his town. Due to his level of service and volunteerism, he is a past recipient of the “Volunteer Award” given by the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants for dedicated service to worthy causes in the community and making a significant difference.

Professor DeSarno is a mentor and role model, showing his students by his actions and accomplishments the power that a degree in accounting and obtaining the CPA designation can have in academia, industry and in the community.

Specialization

Professor DeSarno's background and areas of specialization include extensive practical experience and expertise in the areas of accounting, financial reporting, strategic planning and analysis. During his 25 year professional accounting career, he gained valuable and diverse experience serving in leadership positions as a Controller in Public, Private and Not-for-Profit organizations. In addition, he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with Big 4 auditing experience.

His accomplished career in accounting was recognized in 2023, when Professor DeSarno received the “Impact Ovation Award” from the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (an organization of over 13,000 members) in recognition of his exemplary and stellar achievement in advancing New Jersey’s Accounting Profession.

From an educational standpoint, he holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from Rutgers University as well as two master’s degrees from Seton Hall University, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters of Science (MS) in Financial Planning.

By leveraging his extensive and diverse first hand professional experience, Professor DeSarno has an extraordinary ability to connect with students, as well as provide valuable perspective and make the material being presented come to life. He shares his knowledge by creating and presenting dynamic, engaging and inspiring lessons in classes ranging from the gateway to capstone accounting courses.

In addition, Professor DeSarno has also created original curriculum in the area of franchising & entrepreneurship. In doing this, he leveraged the specialized knowledge gained in serving for over ten years in the franchise industry as a CFO and Regional Controller with two iconic brands and his experience advising countless entrepreneurs. His work includes developing a series of franchising / entrepreneurship courses. The initial class entitled “Introduction to Franchising” was launched in the Spring 2023 semester at Bloomfield College.

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• • “Rebranding Accounting and Engaging Students in the Classroom” New Jersey CPA Magazine Summer 2023 issue, by Peter C. DeSarno, CPA, MBA, MS.