CPA (Coincidence, Phenomenon, Adventure) Stories: Mr. Chairman Meets Mr. Centenarian

Part 1. A few months ago, former AICPA board chairman Stuart Kessler was on his way to Lincoln Center on the New York City subway when he noticed an elderly gentleman staring at his CPA lapel pin. The man asked what the pin was and Kessler explained, adding that he was proud to wear it. When the man said he too was a CPA, Kessler offered to send him a pin. As Kessler was exiting the subway car, the man called out his name, Max Grill, and his address—with the assistance of his fellow passengers who passed the information along to the departing Kessler. Kessler mailed the pin.

Part 2. A few days later Kessler received a newsletter in the mail, which, much to his amazement and pleasure, carried a feature story on one Max Grill, a philanthropist. As it turns out, Grill, who is 100 years old, is a practicing CPA who dispenses tax and financial planning advice from the Manhattan office he goes to every day. He’s a veteran of World War I who believes luck brought him longevity and good health—and that investing long-term in good companies is the best advice.

So if you are in New York and traveling on the D train, look for Max Grill wearing his shiny new CPA pin.