Brian Wolohan

Executive summary

Brian is a Partner in the National Professional Standards Group, where he leads the firm’s Audit Innovation group and works with the Audit Methodology group to enhance the quality and efficiency of our audits through the application of data analytics, automation and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he works with the Audit Risk Management group to improve the effectiveness of the firm’s risk analysis and inspection approach using data analytics. Brian serves on the Board of the Rutgers AICPA Data Analytics Research Initiative, the AICPA’s Audit Data Analytics Guide Working Group, the Center for Audit Quality’s Emerging Technologies Task Force and the PCAOB’s Data and Technology Task Force.

Brian joined Grant Thornton from the CAQ where he served as the Senior Director of Professional Practice, Policy and Research. He worked with senior members of the profession, regulators, and other stakeholders on critical and emerging issues facing the profession to advance regulatory and public policies that promote audit quality. He led the preparation and issuance of comment letters to the PCAOB, SEC, IAASB and others on proposed standards and other rules affecting the audit profession.

Prior to joining the CAQ, Brian served as Associate Director in the PCAOB’s Office of Research & Analysis, during which time he designed and developed many of the audit risk assessment methodologies used by the PCAOB to inform its risk-based inspections program. He conducted research and trainings on structured financial products, fair value of illiquid instruments, and best practices in fraud risk assessment. He has performed extensive analysis on market risks and audit implications and served as a Commissioner on the NACD’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Risk Governance.

He also served as Director of Corporate Development at AOL, where his responsibilities included strategic planning, enterprise valuation, deal negotiation, and acquisition integration. He also worked in the Accounting Policy group, where he conducted financial due diligence on venture capital investments and business combinations, and was responsible for accounting for AOL’s multi-billion dollar securities portfolio.

Brian began his career as an auditor in Grant Thornton’s Mid-Atlantic practice; his focus included public stock and debt issuance, private placements, and accounting for financial instruments and securitizations.

Professional qualifications and memberships

CPA (Virginia, Washington DC)
AICPA member

Education

MS, Finance, University of Maryland
MBA, University of Maryland
BS, Accounting and Finance, University of Maryland