Frederick J. Martens

Expert in the nonprofit field, Fred Martens offers clients thoughtful, incisive counsel, and exceptional service.

Starting his career at Lutz and Carr upon graduating from college in 1993, Fred has decades of experience providing audit, tax, and consulting services to not-for-profit organizations and private foundations. He regularly performs financial statement audits and prepares annual information returns for nonprofit organizations.

Fred’s clients include many of New York City’s prominent performing arts producing and presenting organizations, museums and cultural institutions, and organizations that serve to improve the quality of life and experience in the community. He is inspired by and committed to their missions. Applying his extensive experience in the arts and cultural sectors, and specialized industry knowledge and insight, Fred advises his clients on strategies to operate more effectively and efficiently.

In each instance, Fred considers his client’s specific situation, needs and concerns. He serves clients well beyond the annual audit, advising them throughout the year, ensuring they fully grasp the implications of their financials, and making sure they understand and can benefit from the audit process. Clients appreciate Fred’s skill in anticipating their needs, identifying risks, and helping them plan for the future. Regarded as personable, practical, reliable and diplomatic, he has continued to build the firm’s practice based on trust and client referrals.

Fred is a music and art enthusiast with eclectic tastes. A musician in his own right, he played guitar in an indie rock band in his younger days. His personal interest in the arts and culture deepen his ability to understand and assist clients in achieving their goals.

Devoted to the firm, Fred actively engages in educating the Lutz and Carr accounting staff at all levels, guiding them in professional development, and making sure they are well-versed in the current standards and practices.

Industries

• Not-for-Profit Organizations
• Private Foundations

Publications & Presentations

• Lecturer, “Advanced Financial Management,” David Geffen School of Drama, Yale University, New Haven, CT, January 2022.

Professional Affiliations

• Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA)
• New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)

Representative Experience

• Crafting financial statements to “tell the story” of a particular client in order to provide context beyond the numbers.
• Advising clients from starting an organization through all growth stages, anticipating issues, and helping to manage the challenges that arise in building and expanding their operations.
• Advising on planning and structuring for new activities undertaken by clients.
• Guiding nonprofits in understanding and running their organizations effectively and identifying and implementing operating efficiencies.
• Recommending improvements in internal controls and processes, providing guidance through staff transitions, and advising clients based on long-established relationships and deep knowledge of their operations and history.