MANKATO, MN — Partner Gary Smith has been named the new director of financial institutions at Eide Bailly LLP, a regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm.
Smith officially assumed his new role on May 1. He succeeds previous director Linda Koerselman, who will continue in her roles as partner-in-charge of the firm’s Mankato office and as chairman of the Eide Bailly board.
“I’m honored to be in this position and excited to work with our talented financial institutions service group to expand our footprint,” said Smith. “The current regulatory environment makes this a critical time for financial institutions of all sizes, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help our clients navigate the challenges they face.”
Gary is an accomplished thought leader in the industry with more than 20 years of public accounting experience providing audit, accounting and consulting services to financial institutions, SEC and public sector clients. He has extensive experience in managing audit engagements for financial institutions that range in size up to $6 billion in assets. He’s taught programs and seminars, wrote various articles on current accounting topics and authored several comment letters for the firm in response to proposed regulations. He was also named one of Arizona’s most influential and impacting CPAs in 2008.
“Gary’s thought leadership will help Eide Bailly further its mission to consistently add value for our clients,” said Dave Stende, Eide Bailly managing partner and CEO. “Gary’s experience and abilities will help lead our financial institutions service group to great accomplishments as we continue to grow our firm.”
Koerselman congratulated Smith on his new role.
“Our financial institutions service group will benefit greatly from Gary’s leadership and vision,” Koerselman said. “I’m confident he will continue to build Eide Bailly’s strong reputation in the financial institutions community and enhance our tradition of excellent client service.”
About Eide Bailly LLP
Eide Bailly provides 49,000 clients across the nation with core services of audit & assurance and tax, as well as expanded services, including accounting services, cost segregation, employee benefits, enterprise risk management, financial services, forensic & valuation, health care reform, international services, technology consulting, transaction services and wealth management. Eide Bailly has offices located in Phoenix, Ariz.; Boulder, Denver, Golden, Grand Junction, Frisco and Vail, Colorado; Boise, Idaho; Dubuque, Iowa; Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; Mankato and Minneapolis, Minn.; Billings, Mont.; Bismarck, Fargo and Williston, N.D.; Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, S.D; and Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah.