LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ernst & Young LLP recently announced promotions of professionals based in its Los Angeles office. Patrick Niemann, Greater Los Angeles Office Managing Partner, commented, “These individuals demonstrate leadership, integrity, dedication and a commitment to quality client service on a daily basis. We congratulate them on this significant achievement and for their continued leadership at Ernst & Young.”
Karim Anani was admitted to the partnership. He was formerly a senior manager. Anani is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Financial Accounting Advisory Services practice, where he provides accounting advisory services to multinational clients in the consumer products, technology, oil and gas and media and entertainment sectors. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State University, Northridge. Anani is a certified public accountant licensed to practice in California and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Jason Chao was promoted to principal from senior manager. Chao is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Transaction Advisory Services practice, where he serves clients in a number of sectors, including technology, telecommunications, consumer products and power and utilities. He worked in the firm’s Chicago office before transferring to Los Angeles in 2001, and provides valuation and transaction services to a variety of global public and private companies. Chao earned an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
Leslie DeHoff was admitted to the partnership. She was formerly a senior manager. DeHoff is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Assurance practice, where she provides audit services to large multi-location SEC registrants and high growth clients in the retail and consumer products sector. She worked in the firm’s Dallas office before transferring to Los Angeles in 2002. DeHoff sits on the National Board of Step Up Women’s Network. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. DeHoff is a certified public accountant licensed to practice in California and Texas and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Brian Gauer was admitted to the partnership. He was formerly a senior manager. Gauer is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Assurance practice, where he provides audit services to clients in the health care and life sciences sectors. Gauer received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California. He is a certified public accountant licensed to practice in California and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs.
Jim McCaulley was admitted to the partnership. He was formerly a senior manager. McCaulley is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Assurance practice, where he provides audit services to a wide range of clients in the real estate, asset management, private equity and financial services sectors. He is also involved in the firm's quality, methodology, and training initiatives. A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, McCaulley worked in the firm’s Denver office before relocating to Los Angeles. He is a certified public accountant licensed to practice in Colorado and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Todd Stein was admitted to the partnership. He was formerly a senior manager. Stein is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Transaction Advisory Services group, where he provides transaction tax services to a wide variety of corporate and private equity clients. He currently serves some of the firm’s largest private equity accounts on the West Coast. Stein received a Master of Taxation and MBA from Fordham University, and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He is a certified public accountant licensed to practice in California and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Mieke Velghe was promoted to executive director from senior manager. Velghe is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Assurance practice, where she works in the technology, media and entertainment sectors serving a variety of public and private companies. Velghe earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and a master’s degree in Finance from the Universite Catholique de Louvain, both in Belgium. She is an audit committee member for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. Velghe is a certified public accountant licensed to practice in California and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Belgium and the American Institute of CPAs.
Kush Gupta was promoted to director from associate director. Gupta is the West Region Finance Director for Ernst & Young LLP’s Assurance and Advisory practices. Gupta received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.
About our Greater Los Angeles practice
Ernst & Young LLP has more than 1,200 people in its Greater Los Angeles offices who serve a diverse client base of innovative and entrepreneurial companies spanning the consumer products, engineering and construction, financial services, health care, life sciences, manufacturing, media & entertainment, private equity, real estate, retail and technology industries. We celebrate the successes of Greater Los Angeles’ entrepreneurs through our Entrepreneur Of The Year® program, founded in 1986. We continually focus on providing outstanding service to our clients and enabling our people to achieve their potential, while making a difference in the Greater Los Angeles community.
About Ernst & Young
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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of the global Ernst & Young organization that provides services to clients in the US.