Stephen A. Villani

Executive summary

Steve is the firm's National Managing Partner of Audit Risk Management. Based in Dallas, Steve has responsibility for the firm's client acceptance and reacceptance processes, internal inspection program, system of quality control oversight for the audit practice, root cause evaluation program, regulatory inspections, peer review, and other quality-control matters and initiatives.

Steve is a Certified Public Accountant and has extensive knowledge in accounting, auditing, and process improvement, and provides thought leadership regarding Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR). He represents the firm on external task forces regarding profession-wide matters. Steve started his career in Grant Thornton's audit practice, where he served on engagements with SEC and privately-held companies.

He also worked in the Firm's National Professional Standards Group assisting on risk management matters. Prior to rejoining Grant Thornton in 2011, Steve held leadership positions at two multi-billion dollar public companies, with areas of responsibility that included accounting policy, technical accounting, and ICFR. In addition, he spent over five years at the PCAOB, most recently as an Associate Director in the PCAOB's inspections division.

Professional qualifications and memberships

• Certified Public Accountant, Texas
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Education

• Steve received a Master of Science in Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Texas.