ABOUT BRENDA
Brenda Hendrickson, CSA has been in the accounting and tax field for many years and is owner of an accounting and tax firm, Frugal Brenda LLC, Parsippany, New Jersey. She started her career as a full charge bookkeeper, an accounting manager for a civil engineering fir, then controller for a construction management firm which built skyscrapers in New York City. She had financial responsibility for Journey’s End Hotel, a $25 million project off Fifth Ave near the New York Public Library. Her real estate knowledge as a broker was invaluable for this position.
She received her BS in Economics and Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey. She went back to FDU where she received a certificate in the Certified Financial Planner Program. She received her Certified Senior Advisor designation, and the “Annual Filing Season Program-certificate of completion” given by IRS for tax preparers. She believes that education has been the way to pass the knowledge to her clients.
These credentials have positioned her to help numerous individuals and small businesses in several ways, first, to implement tax planning as a tool to maximize what is kept, second, to improve bottom line by designing client’s QuickBooks to have more control of their business, be able to make timely management decisions, and have a pricing strategy to optimize net profits. She established her accounting and tax practice in Cedar Grove which she implements in Parsippany. In three years her business grew by 25% due to her philosophy to give a little extra and help clients succeed.
Throughout her successful career she has discovered some secrets as to why some people retire rich while others don’t. And it was this discovery that led her to add “author” to her list of accomplishments…so she could share these ideas with as many people as possible. Her book “How To Be A Frugal Millionaire”, challenges everyone to develop a ‘frugal’ mindset.
Her book was published spring 2008. And we all know what happened that fall – the worst financial crisis since the depression. Frugality was a necessity then and still is relevant in today’s economy. She has created an e-book in Kindle and Nook formats, so more people can download it at a frugal fee. She is also a contributing to Big Bold Business Advice Voi I and II.
She speaks on topics as wealth management, tax tips and tax planning. She has been a featured speaker for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Business Leaders of Tomorrow and panelist for its Horizon Program. She has been features as an author and tax expert on Cablevision Channel’s 26. She has also been interviewed on radio on channels 1450 am, 98.3 fm, and recently on Rowan Radio Public Affair’s “A Community Affair” 89.7 WGLS fm, and numerous other speaking engagements.
She has won the Teal Heart Award from the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners for going above and beyond, NJAWBO Essex Business Woman of the Year, 2009 NJBIZ 50 Best Women in Business, 2010-2011 President of NJAWBO Essex Chapter, Essex Diversity Event Committee member for each year since its inception in 2006, and NJAWBO State Treasurer 2015-2016
Her affiliations include National Society of Accountants, National Association of Tax Professionals, Society of Certified Senior Advisors, New Jersey Association of Public Accountants, National Association of Realtors, and New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners.