EY taps Herb Engert as Office Managing Partner for New York City

Herb Engert has been appointed as EY’s new Office Managing Partner for New York. Engert brings almost three decades of experience in the professional services industry to the role. He succeeds Mark Besca, who served as the head of the New York office for six years.

EY’s New York offices are the largest of the accounting and consulting firm’s city operations. This comes as no surprise, given the urban centre’s position as the financial and corporate heart of America, with a metropolitan area population of over 20,000,000. EY’s New York City area offices have a headcount of over 9,000 assurance, tax, transaction, and consulting professionals.

Now, EY has appointed Herb Engert as the head of EY’s most important office in the United States. The seasoned executive has almost three decades of experience in the professional services industry. In his role as Managing Partner for the New York office, Engert will be responsible for driving the firm’s regional strategy, operations, engagement, client services, and growth in the New York area. The role is especially important, as the New York area dwarfs many countries with its economic and population size – and consequent accounting and consulting revenues."I am honored to be named the Managing Partner of the firm's largest US office, and eager to drive the continued expansion of the EY footprint in New York," said Engert. "EY has supported me both personally and professionally throughout my career at the firm, and I'm looking forward to giving back by enhancing our already outstanding client service in the New York area."

Engert was previously the head of EY’s Global Private Equity practice, where he partnered with leaders across regions and sectors to build and drive quality services for private equity clients. Before that, he was the leader of EY Americas Growth Markets, where he oversaw a network of professionals advising growing firms around the world.

Engert joined EY in 2002, after working at professional services firm Arthur Andersen for over a decade – where he rose to the level of Partner. He holds a BS in Accounting from St. John Fisher College.

Engert will oversee the continued strengthening of the Big Four firm in New York as it prepares to move to a new ultra-modern office at One Manhattan West. For now, he will direct both the new location, as well as the current EY flagship office at 5 Times Square.

"Our firm will be going through some exciting, transformative changes in the next couple of years, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the change, and help bring innovative solutions to our ever-expanding client base," remarked Engert.

Passing the torch

Engert takes over from Mark Besca, who held the position of Office Managing Partner, New York, for six years. During his tenure, Besca grew the firm’s regional presence – opening the wavepace innovation center in Chelsea, inaugurating the EY Hoboken office and learning center, and planning the future move to One Manhattan West.

He will now work with EY Americas Assurance, focusing on accounts, and with the Professional Practice Quality and Regulatory Matters group. He will also continue in his capacity as US leader for the Embankment Project – which attempts to change how businesses measure and report the value created for stakeholders.

"I am very proud to be transitioning this role over to Herb," said Besca. "He is extremely dedicated to the people and culture of the firm, and will continue to make an impact here in New York City."