Jamie D. CPA Chicago, IL

Work Experience

FGMK, LLC — Chicago, Illinois                                                                                                2007 – 2020

FGMK – one of the top-ranked accounting firms in the United States – provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to private businesses, global public companies, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and not-for-profit organizations.

Assurance Director

Assurance Engagements

• Assessed client needs, then assembled and led teams best suited to ensure optimal client satisfaction
• Managed client service teams of 5 to 12 members, depending on engagement scopes
• Defined timelines, tracked progress, and provided clients with status updates at regular intervals
• Served as the communications hub, managing interactions with tax, quality control, valuation, and other relevant professional service lines to ensure that engagements continued on target to meet deadlines
• Directed each engagement to guide team members and facilitate their professional development
• Identified, researched, and resolved technical issues in tandem with quality control

Internal Control Engagements

• Advised clients throughout each engagements life cycle: risk assessment analysis, identification and documentation of key controls and business processes, and identification and implementation of improved controls and process recommendations
• Consulted with the audit team to identify opportunities, develop and document plans to present to clients, and develop recommendations for improved procedures and/or controls based on best practices
• Solicited input from all stakeholders – FGMK and client – and synthesized findings into reports, then marshalled reports through the required levels of review

Consultation Engagements

• Consulted with clients regarding ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers – and other new accounting standards; inventory costing methods; complex consolidated financial statements, including international subsidiaries; and preparation methods and analysis of internally prepared financial statements, and client-prepared risk assessment and internal control documentation
• Utilized data extraction software to analyze key accounting cycles, and identify control and process improvements to improve cash flow, reduce inventory obsolescence, mitigate any potential vendor issues, and convey recommended improvements
• Flagged anomalies and consulted with relevant parties to understand, resolve, and/or develop and implement best practices or policies to prevent anomalies from recurring

FGMK, LLC — continued

Communications  |  Advisory Services  |  Business and Professional Development

• Prepared stand-alone and consolidated financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles [ GAAP ] and International Financial Reporting Standards [ IFRS ]
• Communicated with business owners, boards of directors, and audit committees on audit reports, audit findings, internal control findings, and specific communications as required by professional standards
• Created reports to detail significant findings and provide references that served to reinforce suggestions and assist with adoption
• Consulted with clients, lenders, and other consultants regarding loan agreements, acquisitions, business restructurings, and other business agreements
• Took particular care in determining the best customized approaches for smaller and mid-size organizations to implement findings and improve practices
• Fostered adoption of suggestions by presenting to entire organizations; for example, from management to production to shipping/receiving on internal control findings and recommended improvements
• Provided technical and quality reviews of assurance engagement files and financial statements to ensure compliance with firm and professional standards
• Prepared continuing professional education course materials and facilitated trainings, including methodology and technical accounting concepts
• Consulted with firm’s tax department and clients on various tax calculations and filings to reduce the burden on clients to provide detailed information
• Mentored staff both formally and informally, and recruited and interviewed experienced prospects who were identified through an extensive network of contacts, as well as recruiting prospects from college
• Identified and closed win-win business development opportunities, helping FGMK expand the breadth of services it provided to clients while helping clients save fees and/or improve processes

Grant Thornton LLP — Chicago, Illinois                                                                                  2002 – 2007

Grant Thornton – the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd., one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms – serves publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.

Assurance Senior Manager

• Served a wide array of client industries, including, manufacturing, professional services, non-profit, family office, private equity. Managed a breadth of assurance responsibilities, establishing the foundation that enabled success with clients.

Education  |  Affiliations

Northern Illinois University — DeKalb, Illinois

Bachelor of Science – Accountancy

American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants  |  Illinois CPA Society