Colleen Fay is a partner and is the Practice Leader of Withum’s Financial Services Team. Overseeing a team of over 200 professionals, Colleen’s vision and goals have been shaped by her passion for the industry, solidified by her more than 20 years of experience in accounting.
Throughout her career, she has had an extensive focus in the alternative investment industry and is an expert in tax compliance and consulting for hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, funds of funds, general partners, and management companies. Always at the forefront of industry trends, ever-changing tax laws, and complex regulations, Colleen provides her clients with exceptional service, advice, and options to give them every advantage in this multidimensional environment.
Her unrelenting dedication and sought-after experience have proven invaluable to her clients, providing real-time solutions to achieve investment goals while mitigating risk. Colleen is fully versed in domestic and international investment funds, understanding the complexities surrounding fund structures, which brings a holistic approach to tax planning.
Actively involved in the Firm’s internal best practices and continuing professional education program, Colleen develops course curriculum and provides instruction for national and local training seminars. As the Firm’s Women in Financial Services leader, Colleen oversees networking events and educational seminars for women entrepreneurs. These events provide opportunities for professional development and further empower women within the financial services space. Colleen is passionate about this initiative because it facilitates the opportunity to advocate for women team members and colleagues across the industry and supports the growth of the next generation of leaders.
Colleen applies this forward-thinking mentality to all facets of her position at Withum and beyond, making her a truly invaluable resource to her colleagues, clients, and organization.
Learn more about my professional experience and how I spend my time outside the firm.
Education:
Professional Affiliations:
Colleen is a Girl Scout Troop Leader and was named the 2023 GSNNJ Women of Achievement Honoree. She is also a Student Community Association Member. She is a reliable voice in the profession and a sought-after speaker at numerous industry events, including but not limited to the Markets Group Private Equity Summit, The Women’s Venture Capital Conference, the Emerging Managers Conference by Hedge Week, and the Women’s Private Equity Conference.
Colleen also hosts ‘The Alternative Route’, a podcast that invites industry thought leaders to delve deeper into the world of alternative investments. The show tackles complex topics, compartmentalizing them into thought-provoking content aimed at providing the audience with a deeper understanding of alternative investments.
Colleen values an active lifestyle and the sense of community that comes from being part of a team. When she’s not working with clients, she can often be found playing town softball and soccer or cheering on her husband and three children at their sporting events.
Revenue Ruling 2026-20 and Notice 2026-62 address certain exchange-traded fund (ETF) and tax-aware investment fund strategies, including transactions involving Section 351 contributions. The ruling addresses an investor that, as part of a plan, contributes a diversified portfolio of appreciated securities to a newly formed ETF in an exchange intended to qualify under Section 351. Under…
On September 28, 2026, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued Revenue Ruling 2026-20 and Notice 2026-62. Together, the guidance targets selected exchange-traded fund (ETF) redemption structures and tax-aware investment strategies that the government believes use nonrecognition, timing or character rules to obtain tax results consistent with the purpose and proper application of those rules….
Carried interest (“carry”) is often one of a fund principal’s most valuable assets, yet it rarely appears on a personal financial statement at anything close to its eventual economic value. That gap between a defensible value today and realized upside later provides an estate-planning opportunity, and it narrows every quarter as the fund seasons. The…