John D'Aquila

John has over 25 years of experience as a CPA, CFO, CEO, entrepreneur and consultant for privately held emerging growth companies in the media, beauty, visual arts and other diversified industries. He began his career in the Entrepreneurial Services Group of Ernst and Young from 1986-1990. From 1990-1998 he served, as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Comstock Images, a leader in the production and licensing of commercial imagery. During that time he oversaw worldwide growth from thirty to over two hundred employees and from one to six countries from 1990-1998. He later negotiated and managed the sale of that business to publicly traded Jupiter Media. In 1998, he was nationally recognized by the French American Chamber of Commerce with a Corporate Achievement Award in connection with his efforts associated with building successful small business American subsidiaries in France, Germany and England from 1992-1996. From 1999-2000 he served as Acting CFO to publicly traded MCY MusicWorld and oversaw a 25 million dollar capital raise for one of the original digital download music companies. From 2000-2001 he served as CFO and VP of Business Development of Small Business Television. From 1999-2006 John served as CEO of Select WinesLLC.com a national on-line and multi-state retail wine business he founded, self-funded and later sold in a successful transaction. In 2005, John founded the licensed New York CPA firm D’Aquila and Company, LLP and has served as a consultant and CPA to several early stage and emerging companies of high profile entrepreneurs in nine states and three countries. A particular focus has been working with niche brands in the beauty industry such as Juara Skincare, Eve Pearl Beauty and Lucy B Cosmetics. John has authored numerous business plans, managed several private placements, acquisitions and sales involving complex tax strategies and due diligence for closely held companies. He advises high profile serial entrepreneurs as their trusted advisor in matters involving taxation, investments, business sales and acquisitions.

John is a registered Certified Public Accountant, in good standing, licensed in the State of New York. John is a graduate of the Binghamton University School of Management. Memberships include the National Society of Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Society of CPA’s (“NYSSCPAs”), and the International Professional Business Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. Professional certifications include series 6 and 63.

John has served on several Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards for both non-profit and for profit entities over the past twenty years

At HBA 2011, John spoke in the session M-07: The A-Z of Launching an Indie Brand.