Grant Thornton names Beatrix Bernauer chief risk and compliance officer

Grant Thornton US has named Beatrix Bernauer as the firm’s first chief risk and compliance officer. She remains based in Los Angeles.

In the newly expanded role, Bernauer, who has served as Grant Thornton’s chief compliance officer since 2018, will now design and execute the firm’s enterprise risk management programs and practices – including frameworks for risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring.

As chief compliance officer, Bernauer oversaw standards, policies, and procedures to maintain compliance with laws and regulations, as well as with the company’s own internal requirements. She also led Grant Thornton’s data privacy program and sustainability reporting program. Bernauer will continue to oversee the above areas, as well as retain her position as deputy legal counsel.

Bernauer joined Grant Thornton in 2004 as senior legal counsel, and became a principal and deputy general counsel in 2013. As deputy general counsel, she defends the firm and its personnel in litigation, such as class action securities litigation and professional malpractice. Bernauer also conducts internal investigations and advises management on legal and transactional issues.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Bernauer served as associate legal counsel at Arthur Andersen for three years.

She holds a JD in law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, an LLM in international law from Georgetown University Law Center, and a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. Bernauer is a licensed attorney in Illinois and registered as in-house counsel in California.

“In the face of ever-increasing risks, companies need leaders who can deliver enhanced enterprise-risk models enabled by technology,” said Brad Preber, CEO of Grant Thornton. “Beatrix is the perfect person to do that at our firm: She possesses tremendous subject-matter knowledge, collaborative leadership skills, and a deep understanding of Grant Thornton’s business.”

Grant Thornton also recently appointed Jamie Sybert as head of government contractor practice and Janet Malzone as incoming head of audit services.

Based in Chicago, the mid-market accounting and consulting firm has more than 50 offices nationally and revenues of $1.92 billion.