By ANTHONY BOTTAN
Founder of Wolfsohn Financial, Milton Wolfsohn opened its first office 52 years ago on Pitkin Avenue in the Ozone Park section of Brooklyn. The main office has since moved to Lynbrook, but during tax season, which runs from November through mid-April, Wolfsohn opens two other offices in Manhattan and Hauppauge to satisfy its international client base.
But Jonathan Wolfsohn, son of Milton and current president of the accounting firm, said it's his staff that helps alleviate the pressures that accompany the tax season. "When you surround yourself with good people, your life gets easier," he said.
Wolfsohn, who is an avid collector of banks and international currency and has lived in East Rockaway for the last 18 years, said that during tax season, his staff of 20-plus employees file more than 4,500 tax returns. A general practitioner, he said, may only file between 300 and 500 tax returns during the tax season. But after the tax season is done, he admits the firm hits a lull. "We get depressed for two weeks," he said.
It's international success has helped Wolfsohn's firm ascertain some big name clients, like the director of Time Magazine to Grammy award nominee, jazz musician Vincent Persichetti. Wolfsohn has clients in more than 100 countries around the world, which is why certain staff in the office speak up to four different languages. However, his firm still helps financial planning for small business on Long Island.
"We care for and nurture our small businesses," Wolfsohn said. "One of my clients was a hairdresser and now sells hair for $21 million."
Most of his business, he said, has grown through referrals from prior clients. One of his client's grandfather was a client of Wolfsohn's father, which is an example of how the firm's services have helped his business aggrandize. "We've taken care of four generations," Wolfsohn said.
The company's success is no surprise to Wolfsohn, who said that his firm's dedication to its clients keeps the business flourishing. He added that it's not uncommon for him to answer E-mails between 1 and 3 a.m. By 8 a.m. on the day of the interview, Wolfsohn already had 25 e-mails in his mailbox. "People are very testy about money," he said. "Everyone wants to keep more, spend more and of course, grow more."
Comments about this story? Abottan@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 246.
