Grant Thornton’s Jim Wittmer named managing principal of the firm’s Atlantic Coast region

CHICAGO and PHILADELPHIA — Grant Thornton, one of America’s largest brands for audit, assurance, tax, and advisory services, has named Jim Wittmer the managing principal of the firm’s Atlantic Coast region. In this role, Wittmer will oversee Grant Thornton’s teams in Arlington, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, where he is based. Working across these markets, Wittmer will drive strategy and help each of the teams in his region provide personalized, high-quality service to the firm’s clients.

Wittmer is a principal in Grant Thornton’s Tax practice and has more than 35 years of experience serving public, private and foreign-owned clients in a variety of industries. Alasdair Trotter, the firm’s chief revenue officer, says Wittmer’s long, impactful track record has primed him for success in his new role.

“Jim has been an influential mentor to several generations of our teammates,” Trotter said. “His wealth of knowledge and ability to assemble and lead high-performing teams will be incredibly valuable to our colleagues on the Atlantic Coast and our clients in every industry we serve.”

Specifically, Trotter points to Wittmer’s extensive tax skills. He previously served as the national managing partner for Tax Growth and the leader of Grant Thornton’s Federal Tax Consulting practice for the eastern U.S. These roles established him as a valued business leader and tax consultant throughout the Northeast, while also enhancing his knowledge of major industries in cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Additionally, he has led the firm’s specialty corporate tax functions for the past eight years, including all areas regarding fixed assets that generate both permanent and timing adjustment savings. Wittmer is in charge of technical matters for Grant Thornton’s Capital Cost Recovery services, and he is a member of the firm’s national working group specializing in issues and planning techniques for subchapter C corporations.

Wittmer has worked at Grant Thornton for 31 years — and he says the firm’s greatest days are still ahead.

“We have talented teams in place driving growth for our firm and our clients in the Atlantic Coast and throughout the country, which is the best possible way to celebrate Grant Thornton’s 100^th anniversary later this summer,” said Wittmer. “In short, the future is bright for our colleagues and our clients, and I know our firm’s deep industry knowledge will drive even more success for all of the organizations we serve.”

Wittmer is a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania and a member of both the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LaSalle University and a master’s degree in taxation from the Villanova University School of Law. He is a frequent lecturer on federal and local taxes, both in-house and to outside professionals and business groups.