With a plethora of elected officials in attendance, the Brooklyn-based Joseph Tax & Consulting Services, Inc. last Thursday opened its new office at Kings Plaza in Brooklyn.
“I am happy to be here this evening in your company at this very special occasion to me personally and my business enterprise, Joseph Tax & Consulting Services, Inc. by extension,” said Dominican-born owner Dr. Jean Joseph, a certified public accountant (CPA) after the ribbon-cutting ceremony witnessed by, among others, Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Haitian-American Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; Council Members Farah N. Louis and Mercedes Narcisse; Council Member-Elect Chris Banks; and Frank Seddio, former chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
“The journey to this day has been a meritorious one,” Joseph added. “It has been a long and, sometimes, winding road that has taken us to lush offices in the Manhattan business district, my home, at times, small hubs in the city and downtown Brooklyn.”
Dr. Joseph said it all started while she was still attending school at Pace University in 1983.
“Student by day and business operator on evenings and weekends was not the easiest undertaking,” she said. “My propensity for hard work and discipline was homegrown since my working days as a school teacher in my native Dominica. I must say I am grateful for that.
“The harmonious blend of a lifelong passion for helping people, an ambitious need to make a difference and my business acumen made the task at hand that much easier,” she added. “For a number of years, I worked with huge corporations. like American Express and Business Services, and large CPA firms in Manhattan; but, even so, never absconded on my desire to serve people in my community.”
Eventually, Dr. Joseph said she set up offices in the Wall Street financial district in lower Manhattan and in Dumbo, downtown Brooklyn, before moving offices annexed to her residence in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
But, she said, it has always been her desire to open a second office.
“I give thanks to see this desire born to life today here at the Kings Plaza mall,” Dr. Joseph said. “I give thanks to the countless people who have helped at various points along this journey. But the highest and deepest of gratitude go to all our clients, without whom we could not have been here.
“Some of them have been with us for many years, and we traversed the hills and valleys together,” she added. “I am grateful beyond measure to all of them, past and present.
“I thank all of you who have come out today in a show of support for this new endeavor,” Joseph continued. “Your presence makes me feel like paradise Again, thank you all for coming; Joseph Tax & Consulting Services is open for business. Feel free to drop by anytime.”
Speaking on behalf of Chief Executive Officer Randy Peers and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Ken Marable, a Brooklyn Chamber, said he was “delighted to participate in this ribbon-cutting of Joseph Tax and Consulting Services.
“Among the many wonderful things that Jean Joseph has done – you may not know that – she was also a former president of the New York State CPA society of New York,” he said. “We are extremely excited that she brings her high level of expertise to this area of Brooklyn.
“We are excited about the fact that this is her second office in Brooklyn and compliment her on her willingness to provide jobs for worthy individuals,” added Marable before presenting to Joseph, on behalf of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, a map reflecting the Borough of Brooklyn, with Joseph’s name engraved on it.
“If you look closely, you might even see your office located on the map,” Marable told Dr. Joseph. “We encourage you to place it in this office.”
Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, said Joseph has been “serving all of us financially, making sure our finances are right.
“I’m very happy and blessed to have Jean Joseph,” she said. “I’m happy for her that she’s at the next level. This is phenomenal.”
Council Member-Elect Chris Banks said: “It’s good to have a strong, competent, good business leader.
“This is a good way to give support,” he said.
Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said she was “happy to join you all today in the unveiling of the Jean Joseph Tax & Consulting Services, Inc.
“Jean creates generational wealth,” she said. “I thank you for being a leader. This is a labor of love.”
Seddio said Joseph has been “one of the more charitable people.
“Thank God for Jean Joseph for doing it for so many people,” he said. “The most important things is her heart.”
Sophia Casimir, Joseph’s niece described her aunt as “a truly exceptional individual.”
“She seamlessly blends excellence in accounting with an unwavering commitment to humanity, showcasing exceptional leadership, compassion and fierceness in all her endeavors,” she said. “I have witnessed my aunt’s impact in two profound ways. As a pillar of support for me and my family, she has consistently extended a helping hand and an open door, embodying the true essence of familial love and generosity.
“Beyond our personal connection, Dr. Jean Joseph, a distinguished CPA, stands as an inspiring figure, reaching far beyond the confines of her profession,” Casimir added. “Her tireless dedication to community service, through serving as president of the Canarsie Lions Club and her work with so many other organizations, has left an enduring impact, touching lives not only locally but resonating globally.
“Today, as we gather to celebrate, let us recognize the remarkable journey of Dr. Jean Joseph—a journey marked by resilience, compassion, and an unyielding commitment to making the world a better place,” she continued. “Please join me in congratulating Auntie Jean on her extraordinary accomplishments and the continued expansion of her ever-growing business.”
Joseph, who was born and raised in Roseau, Dominica, is a true success story.
As a graduate of The Convent High school and Dominica Teacher’s College, Dr. Joseph distinguished herself by her dedication, attention to detail, excellence and her competency.
Joseph taught at St. Martin’s school in the vocational department for 10 years, migrated to the United States in 1978 and enrolled at Iowa State University.
Subsequently, she attended Pace University in New York, where she acquired a baccalaureate of science in accounting and later attained her status as a CPA.
Dr. Joseph is an expert in tax planning, estate, trust and gift tax. She served as a manager for several blue-chip Tax firms that oversaw the preparation and review of financial statements for companies of various complexities. She specializes in the audit and taxation of not-for profit organizations.
Dr. Joseph has worked for American Express & Business Services; as a manager in the Tax department at Goldstein, Golub, & Kessler; Anchin, Block and Anchin as a CPA, as well as Lionel Lewis CPA.
Dr. Joseph is the sole proprietor of Joseph Tax and Consulting Services LLC., and CEO of Joseph Tax and Consulting Services 1 Inc., excelling in servicing a whole array of clients, individuals and corporations and not-for-profit organizations.
Her corporation has received the status of Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise awarded by the New York State Department of Economic Development.
Dr. Joseph has also formed Jean G. Joseph, CPA, PC. Services available include audits, reviews and compilations, agreed-upon procedures and consultation, along with customized training solutions for businesses and their clients.
She was inducted by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a 2007 Business Visionary and was a member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Joseph received several distinguished awards from the mayor, and all four levels of government – Congress, Senate, Assembly and New York City Council.
She is presently the president of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club, an organization that strengthens and supports the Canarsie neighborhood through benevolent services and grants. She is also the past treasurer of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club.
In addition, Dr. Joseph is treasurer of the Kings County Democratic Committee and serves as treasurer for multiple political campaigns.
