Grant Thornton appoints Bradley Preber as CEO
Accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton US has appointed Bradley Preber as its CEO, with a term through to July 31, 2022 (his mandatory retirement date). Preber has served as interim CEO since August 1.
Preber was selected following a comprehensive search, which included the assistance of an executive search consultancy. The partnership board’s final selection was ratified by the company’s partners and principals.
“Brad is a decisive leader who believes in delivering exceptional value to clients,” said Jim Wittmer, chairman of the partnership board at Grant Thornton. “As CEO, Brad will fuel Grant Thornton’s continued success providing innovative audit, tax, and advisory services built on a foundation of quality.”
Preber took over this summer as interim CEO from Mike McGuire, who did not opt to extend his term as CEO to 2021. McGuire transitioned to a brand ambassador role as CEO emeritus, focusing on maintaining key client relationships. McGuire had served as CEO since 2015, having joined the firm in 2002 from Arthur Andersen.
At the time of the leadership switch, McGuire commented, “As fast as the marketplace is changing, I believe we now need to transition as quickly as possible to new leadership that can take us on the next leg of our journey to become the ‘firm of the future’ over the next five years or more.”
According to an anonymous tip sent to website Going Concern, Preber beat out internal candidates Jeff Burgess (audit managing partner) and Nichole Jordan (national managing partner of markets, clients, and industry) for the top job.
Preber has over 35 years of experience in litigation consulting, forensic accounting, and investigations, and previously held the roles of chairman of the partnership board, national managing partner of business risk services, and office managing partner for Phoenix. He joined Grant Thornton in 2004 from Arthur Andersen, where he had been a partner.
As leader of business risk services, Preber grew the practice into a $200 million business, and launched the firm’s cyber risk practice in 2017. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on accounting from the University of New Mexico, and is a certified public accountant, fraud examiner, global management accountant, and construction auditor.
“Today’s businesses face formidable challenges – from accelerating growth and keeping pace with technology to mitigating risks and enhancing audit quality. As CEO, I will help Grant Thornton build on our track record of helping clients overcome these challenges through our uniquely differentiated client services, and our singular ‘status go’ culture,” Preber said.
