The Alzheimer’s Association Accounting Industry Leadership Council (hereinafter the “Council”) was established in January of 2020, immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic was about to unfold worldwide. Regardless of these daunting circumstances, the Council moved forward with its mission to unite the accounting profession together as one to end Alzheimer’s disease and all dementias.

As a passionate philanthropist committed to giving back to my community with a focus on health and wellness, I founded the Council with Rob Lucas, Director of Corporate Initiatives for the Alzheimer’s Association. While serving as the Chairman for the Alzheimer’s Association’s NYC - Manhattan Chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s signature fundraising event, I recommended a go-to-market fundraising strategy for uniting volunteers by industry sectors to make a greater impact in the support of the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Council enjoyed tremendous success in its inaugural year of 2020, securing Council members from all the Big Four accounting firms and most of the TOP 10 accounting firms. During the calendar year 2022, the Council grew to several dozen accounting firms with regional and national footprints across the United States reaching over 1,200 accountants nationwide through our education and awareness programs (i.e., presented in both live seminar and streamed webinar formats) including our highly acclaimed program titled “Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease” and collectively raising approximately $ 1 million dollars for the Alzheimer’s Association. One of our primary goals of the Council in 2023 will be for the successful on-boarding of an additional dozen accounting firms with regional and national footprints to join the Council and collectively make the most significant impact for the Alzheimer’s Association.

As part of the responsibilities of being on the Council, members identify participating offices across the country within their respective firms, along with office champions to rally their employee’s office by office to participate in more than 600 Walk to End Alzheimer’s events nationwide that commence each year in August and continue throughout the month of November. The much-needed funds raised at these Walk events will support the Alzheimer’s Association mission of accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Together, a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia is possible.

Our 2023 Council members and their respective accounting firms supporting the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association can be referenced at https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/ailc-members-2023.pdf

To learn more about the Council, please consult https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/our-partners-sponsors/accounting-industry-leadership-council

If interested in joining the Council, please contact Peter J. Scalise the Founding Chairman and the 2023 Recruitment and Retention Chairman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Rob Lucas, the Director of Corporate Initiatives for the Alzheimer’s Association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association at http://alz.org/cpamagazine and help us find a cure.

About the Author

Peter J. Scalise serves as the Federal Tax Credits and Incentives Practice Leader for the Americas at Prager Metis CPAs, LLC, a member of the Prager Metis International Group. Mr. Scalise is a highly distinguished Big Four Alumni Tax Practice Leader with approximately thirty years of progressive public accounting firm experience developing, managing, and leading large scale tax advisory practices on a regional, national, and global level.

Mr. Scalise is also a prominent philanthropist who champions over a dozen charities nationwide in connection to environmental conservation; poverty and hunger alleviation; economic development; health and social services; supporting veteran and military service personnel along with preserving arts and cultural programs. Mr. Scalise is currently serving on the National Board of Directors for the Prager Metis Charitable Foundation Inc, a I.R.C. § 501(c)(3) organization and is the Founding Chairman of the Accounting Industry Leadership Council to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Mr. Scalise is the former NYC - Manhattan Event Chairman and Sponsorship Chairman for the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual signature fundraising event entitled “The WALK to END ALZ” at the historic South Street Seaport District.