KPMG US adds tax directors Teresa Halpin and Rick Lawlor

KPMG US has hired Teresa (Teri) Halpin and Rick Lawlor as tax directors in its trade and customs practice. Both directors join the Big Four accountancy from the trade regulatory audit division within US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

“KPMG has been supporting clients with trade enforcement matters for over 30 years. In light of the expected increased enforcement by CBP and DOJ on trade, Rick and Teri’s experience will be invaluable in helping our clients manage through potential controversies,” said Andrew Siciliano, global head of the trade and customs practice, in a LinkedIn post.

Halpin is based in New York and brings more than 36 years of experience within the trade regulatory audit division at CBP. She has extensive experience in trade enforcement operations and audits, particularly in priority trade issues, and has supported DOJ False Claims Act cases and DHS homeland security investigations.

Halpin most recently served as New York field director, overseeing the World Trade Center and JFK branches.

She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mercy University.

Lawlor is based in Philadelphia and has over 33 years of experience within the trade regulatory audit division at CBP. He has extensive experience designing, implementing, and executing trade enforcement operations for priority trade issues including sales valuation validations, country of origin, and production validations.

Lawlor has since 2016 served as a field director overseeing the agency’s largest field component within the office of trade, managing nine audit branches across Philadelphia, Newark, and Ashburn.

He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Long Island University.

KPMG US has more than 40,000 people across 75+ offices in the United States.