Nicholas J. Cafaro, CPA/ABV/CFF, began his entrepreneurial endeavors at a young age–he started a book-selling business and hired his friends as employees, sparking a desire to own his own “real” business someday.

After graduating from Villanova with an accounting degree, he spent the first part of his career working for big accounting and finance firms, then worked for smaller public accounting firms where he was able to specialize in small businesses and their varied needs.

He ventured out on his own in 2017, and became a partner in Zerbo, Zambito & Cafaro, CPAs, an accounting, tax, valuation, and forensic services firm.

His Mantra: When both sides work together in a Collaborative divorce and use a forensic accountant to determine the value of small businesses, bank accounts, retirement funds, investment portfolios, and other assets, they will ultimately save money and stay out of the courtroom.

In Collaborative divorce cases, he provides business valuation and forensic services. This, he says, saves money for the divorcing couple, as he is hired by “the team,” instead of working for one partner, as in a traditional courtroom divorce.

“In a litigated divorce, each side would hire their own forensic accountant,” he says. “This way is much more cost-effective.”

“Often, in divorce cases,” he said, “ Neither the business owners nor the attorneys know how much a small business is worth, so they don’t know how to split the assets fairly and equitably.” The Collaborative team hires him to determine the value of a small business owned by either party or the couple, he said.

Cafaro is a certified public accountant, accredited in business valuation, and certified in financial forensics. He has over 27 years of accounting experience. He specializes in matrimonial and divorce matters, including asset and income tracing, and valuation of closely held businesses.

The Details

• Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Villanova University,1997

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

• Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)

• Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)

He began his career with the “Big Four” CPA firm, Deloitte and Touche. Nick also worked as the controller of a closely held company with over $60 million in revenue.  Since then, he has specialized in small-to-medium size businesses.

Nick has served as an expert witness in various business valuation and forensic accounting engagements, including divorce, shareholder litigation, lost profit analysis, and economic damages.

When he is not working, he enjoys skiing, even though, he jokes, most accountants do not get to enjoy this winter hobby during the busy months of January – April; he also enjoys sailing and golf.