Edward I. Guttenplan
CPA, CGMA, MBA, Managing Shareholder Emeritus
Ed Guttenplan co-founded WilkinGuttenplan in 1983 and was the firm’s Managing Shareholder from 1983 through 2023. He is currently serving on the leadership team. As managing shareholder, he undertook various administrative duties, including overseeing the practice’s strategy, personnel, and finances. Currently, Ed provides a wide array of accounting, tax, and business advisory services to a variety of industries, as well as nonprofit organizations and condo and homeowner associations.
Ed’s real estate practice includes numerous real estate developers. His services include the development of budgets and forecasts, consultation regarding condominiums, cooperative corporations, and homeowner association management, and guidance on accounting and tax matters relating to project development and litigation support services. Ed also services many community associations, including active-adult communities, cooperatives, mixed-use communities, and multi-association communities.
He is the past president of the NJCPA, current trustee to AICPA Foundation and a past member of the AICPA Governing Council. Ed is devoted to fostering the development of the accounting industry’s pipeline and is passionate about developing the next generation of CPA leaders. He is also very active in and committed to community service, serving on various non-profit boards. Prior to co-founding WilkinGuttenplan, Ed worked in private industry for both regional and international accounting firms.
Licenses and Certifications:
- CPA License: New Jersey
- CPA License: New York
- CGMA: Chartered Global Management Accountant Designation
- AICPA Certificate in Non-Profit Accounting
Professional and Community Achievements:
- 2026 Recipient, Forbes Best-in-State CPA
- Inductee, Community Associations Institute Hall of Fame
- Recipient, Forbes Top 200 CPAs
- Recipient, Community Associations Institute Speaker of the Year Award
- Recipient, NJBIZ Icon Award
- Recipient, NJBIZ Leadership in Finance Lifetime Achievement Award
- Recipient, Community Associations Institute Author of the Year Award
- Recipient, NJBIZ Leader in Finance
- Speaker and Author, CAI-NJ Law Seminar and CAI National Conference
- Accounting Today Managing Partner Elite
- Speaker, Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE)
- Member, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA)
- Speaker, Lorman Education Services
- Speaker, New Jersey Builders Association
- 2017–2018 Past President, NJCPA
- Speaker, International Builders’ Show
- Past President, Middlesex/Somerset Chapter of the NJCPA
- Member, Rowan University Accounting Advisory Board
- Past Board Member, NJCPA
- Member, Rutgers University Accounting Advisory Board
- Past Board Member, NJCPA Student Programs and Scholarship Committee
- Student Mentor, Rutgers University and Rowan University
- Past Board Member, NJCPA Scholarship Fund
- Recipient, NJCPA Diversity & Inclusion Impact Award
- Vice Chair, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Foundation Board
- 2004–2005 Recipient, NJCPA Leadership Award
- Past Commissioner and Vice Chair, Highland Park Redevelopment Agency
- Recipient, NJCPA Distinguished Service Merit Coin – Standard of Excellence Recognition
- Past Chair, Main Street Highland Park
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Past Vice President, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey
- Foundation Trustee, AICPA
- Past President, Highland Park Conservative Temple Congregation Anshe Emeth
- Member, AICPA Foundation Scholarship Committee
- Past President, Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan
- Past Member, AICPA Council Governing Body Valley
- Recipient, NJCPA Lifetime Leader Award
- Treasurer and Board Member, Rutgers Hillel
- Certified Mentor, SCORE
- Vice President, Cielo at The Colony Condominium Association, Bonita Springs, Florida
- Past Board Member, Community Associations Institute – New Jersey Chapter (CAI-NJ)
- Chair, Finance Committee, The Colony at Pelican Landing and Bay Club Foundation
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, cum laude, Boston University
- Master of Business Administration, magna cum laude, Boston University
What excites you most about the future of your industry?
Its changing and becoming more advisory with compliance being replaced by robotics, artificial intelligence, and technological change.
What motivates you?
The vision of enhancing the lives of our clients, our staff and our community through the work we do.
What is your favorite part of the culture at WG?
Caring firm philosophy and the focus on developing the next generations of our staff to become leaders to ensure the continuity of the firm.
What advice would you give to the next generation of CPAs and Advisors?
Focus on learning, growing professionally and embracing change – it’s coming fast and furious.
