CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BDO USA, LLP, one of the nation’s leading professional service organizations, today announced that the firm’s partnership has re-elected Wayne Berson to a second four-year term as chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2016. During the first three years of Mr. Berson’s initial term as CEO, BDO has experienced 70 percent growth in revenue, expanded market presence, industry leading gains in SEC clients and growing prominence as a favorable workplace for family oriented professionals and recent college graduates.
“On behalf of the board of directors and the entire BDO USA partnership, I want to congratulate Wayne Berson on his very deserving re-election as CEO,” said Matthew Becker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BDO USA. “Wayne has performed in an exemplary fashion as CEO and we believe his continued leadership through another term is critical to the ongoing success of our firm.”
“I am honored by the confidence my fellow partners have shown in electing me to a second term as CEO,” said Wayne Berson. “Three and a half years ago, I was elected to this position with a mandate to increase growth and expand the firm’s footprint into additional markets. With the support of the board of directors, the unwavering dedication of my executive team, the commitment of our partners and the strong work ethic of our entire staff, we have met that challenge. Working together, I am confident that we will build on our success and continue to set the pace for growth in the accounting profession.”
During Mr. Berson’s initial term as CEO, BDO USA has achieved to numerous accomplishments. These include:
- Revenue Growth: Over the past three years, BDO has achieved a 70% increase in cumulative revenue growth. This has been fueled in equal measures by organic growth across each of its business lines and the firm’s ongoing expansion strategy.
- Market Expansion. Through 13 different transactions, BDO USA has expanded into 20 new cities and added critical mass in 10 existing markets.
- Public Company Client Gains. For two consecutive years (2013-2014), BDO USA has gained more SEC audit clients (97) than any other accounting firm. Through the first three quarters of 2015, BDO continues to lead all firms in net SEC client gains (source - Audit Analytics).
- Workplace Recognition. BDO’s Flex strategy, Women’s Initiative, Exceptional Workplace and other human resource investments have led the firm to be regularly recognized as a leading employer. BDO has been named a Best Company by Working Mother Magazine for five consecutive years and been recognized with the When Work Works Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility for six consecutive years. The firm was also named one of 2015's 25 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads and is featured prominently in the book, Future Work (Palgrave Macmillan), as a leading innovator demonstrating how businesses can adapt and thrive in the new world of work by changing organizational cultures and work practices.
In addition to his duties as CEO of BDO USA, Wayne Berson, 54, was elected Chairman of the Global Board of BDO International Limited, beginning a three-year term on January 1, 2014. During his initial year in this position, the BDO network achieved an 8.81% increase in combined worldwide revenues, exceeding the US$7 billion mark for the first time, and increased its geographical reach with the addition of firms in 8 countries. Just last month, BDO was named the winner of the prestigious Network of the Year Award at the 2015 International Accounting Bulletin (IAB) Awards.
Prior to his current positions, Mr. Berson served as BDO USA’s Atlantic Regional Managing Partner for Assurance Services from 2008 to 2012 and as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors since 2009, serving as the board’s presiding member from 2010 to 2012, prior to his election as CEO. Based in the firm’s Greater Washington, D.C. office, Mr. Berson was a co-founder of the BDO Institute for Nonprofit Excellence. With 31 years of accounting experience, the last 14 with BDO, Wayne has served as a member of key firm initiatives, such as the Women’s Initiative and the Special Advertising Committee that led to the firm’s first national advertising program. Prior to joining BDO in 2001, Mr. Berson was the managing partner of the Lang Group, a Washington, DC accounting firm that he merged into BDO.
Active in charities and civic organizations, Wayne is a Trustee of the Federal City Council, a DC based business group providing support and advice to the Mayor and City Council, and serves as Chairman of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Annual Ball. A former president of the Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, Mr. Berson is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the American Society of Association Executives. A native of South Africa, Wayne is a graduate of the University of Cape Town and earned an honors degree in accounting science from the University of South Africa.
About BDO USA
BDO is the brand name for BDO USA, LLP, a U.S. professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services to a wide range of publicly traded and privately held companies. For more than 100 years, BDO has provided quality service through the active involvement of experienced and committed professionals. The firm serves clients through 63 offices and more than 400 independent alliance firm locations nationwide. As an independent Member Firm of BDO International Limited, BDO serves multi-national clients through a global network of more than 1,300 offices in over 150 countries.
BDO USA, LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. For more information please visit: www.bdo.com.
