BDO USA appoints Mark Ellenbogen as chief operating officer

BDO USA has appointed Mark Ellenbogen as its chief operating officer, effective July 1, 2024.

Ellenbogen, a Washington, DC-based assurance partner who has been with the accountancy for 22 years, succeeds Steve Ferrara, who is retiring after a 33-year career with BDO. Ferrara served as COO for the last 12 years.

“Steve has made innumerable and invaluable contributions to the firm, including overseeing remarkable revenue growth of over 350% since 2012 and successfully establishing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in August of last year,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. “I am confident Mark will build on Steve’s legacy, and his leadership will propel us toward a new chapter of sustainable, people-first growth.”

Ellenbogen has over 30 years of public accounting experience, including over two decades with BDO where he has played a central role in the growth and management of the audit and assurance practice.

He has held roles include office managing partner for the Greater Washington, DC assurance practice, national leader for the public sector practice, and assistant regional technology director for the Mid-Atlantic region.

As a board member, Mark chaired the governance committee and played a key role in establishing the ESOP.

He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and is a certified public accountant.

“Stepping into the COO role is both an honor and an exciting opportunity. I am proud to have been a part of the firm’s successes during the last 22 years and am ready to leverage our past achievements to reach new heights as an ESOP company,” said Ellenbogen. “I am grateful for Steve's guidance during this transition and the unwavering support of Wayne, the executive team, and the board.”

Based in Chicago, BDO USA is the fifth-largest accountancy in the country, with $12.8 in annual revenue and over 12,200 employees.