Experience

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  Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)

  • Norwalk, CT

  • Chairman

    • Jul 2013 - Jun 2020
    • Norwalk, CT

    I became the chair of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in July 2013 and completed my seven-year term on June 30, 2020.The GASB oversees, establishes and improves standards for state and local government accounting and financial reporting. The Board also works to guide and educate—including governments, auditors, and users of financial reports—about the standard-setting process. I’m proud of the work the Board has done and continues to do to enhance the information available about the employee retirement benefits that state and local governments provide. The GASB’s work to update and improve financial reporting model—the blueprint that underlies all governmental financial statements—will be an ongoing focus of my term (which extends through mid-2020).

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  State of Iowa

  • State Auditor

    • Jan 2003 - May 2013

    Throughout my tenure as “Iowa’s Taxpayer Watchdog, I was well known for saying “in God we trust … everyone else we audit.” While leaving elected office was bittersweet, I was proud to serve the state of Iowa and its citizens—and learned many lessons that were instrumental in shaping who I am today. Each year during my tenure, my team audited the state’s comprehensive annual financial report and single audit report. My office also prepared annual audits of more than 200 Iowa counties, cities, school districts, and other governmental subdivisions and provided guidelines to CPA firms performing local governmental audits, sample audit programs, audit reports, and training programs.

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  National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

  • Board Member

    • 1994 - 2004

    NASBA is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of the country’s state boards of accountancy and to advancing their common interests. During my time at NASBA, I chaired the Examinations Committee, Public Perception Committee, and Regulatory Structures Committee. During 2003-2004, I served as NASBA chair.

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  Iowa Accountancy Examining Board

  • Chair

    • 1995 - 2002

    The Accountancy Board administers and enforces code provisions relating to the practice of accountancy in the State of Iowa. This includes the examination of certified public accountant and accounting practitioner candidates, issuing of certificates and licenses, and granting permits to practice.

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  KPMG

  • Retired Audit Partner

    • 1976 - 2001

    I specialized in government services practice and served as the office’s human resources and recruiting partner and served as an instructor for the firm’s national governmental accounting and auditing continuing education courses.