Michael S. Desmond

Executive summary

Mike serves as the national Audit & Assurance client experience leader and is the Charlotte market managing principal at Grant Thornton. In this capacity, he is responsible for supporting and leveraging our Firm’s industry programs to provide insights to our clients and audit professionals, as well as attracting new client relationship with companies seeking a differentiated level of service. In addition, as a senior audit partner in the Charlotte office, and member of the National Manufacturing Core Team, Mike leads the Carolinas Consumer and Industrial Products industry team, including manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, logistics, transportation and retail. Mike has nearly 30 years of combined experience in public accounting and industry. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, he was a partner with another global accounting firm for three years and with Arthur Andersen for 14 years in the Audit and Assurance practice, ultimately as a partner. Immediately prior to joining Grant Thornton in 2007, Mike served as the Chief Accounting Officer for Reynolds American, a former Fortune 300 company, and leverages this experience “on the other side of the desk” in supporting our teams and clients.

Mike has spent his entire career serving public and privately-held companies in the manufacturing and technology industries. He has a broad range of skills developed through experience as an audit partner, performing large special projects and as a financial executive.

Professional qualifications and memberships

• CPA — North Carolina (#21573)
• AICPA and serves on the Boards of the Harris YMCA
• Appalachian State University, Accounting Advisory Board

Community involvement

• Harris YMCA, Board
• Charlotte Childrens’ Theatre, Board
• Girl Scouts Hornets Nest Council, Board
• Leadership Charlotte, Class XXV

Education

• BS, Business Administration, The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill