Grant Thornton’s Jim Burton to Lead AICPA’s Assurance Services Executive Committee

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has announced that Jim Burton, CPA, will serve as chair of the AICPA’s Assurance Services Executive Committee (ASEC). Burton is Grant Thornton’s partner-in-charge of audit methodology and standards.

The ASEC mission is to support the profession in serving the public interest by anticipating, identifying, assessing and addressing evolving market needs and demand for assurance and advisory solutions. ASEC develops relevant thought leadership, guidance, criteria, and other member resources to support a dynamic profession that continuously evolves to provide high quality, value-added, innovative assurance and advisory solutions.

Burton succeeds Bob Dohrer of RSM International as ASEC chair. Dohrer was named AICPA Chief Auditor earlier this year.

“This is an incredible honor for both Jim and Grant Thornton,” said Jeff Burgess, national managing partner of Audit Services at Grant Thornton. “Jim is a proven leader who boasts tremendous assurance and business acumen. The audit profession is undergoing a pace of change where innovation and analytics are at the forefront of client needs. His position underscores our firm’s commitment to audit quality and the need to move audit services into the future.”

“A member of ASEC since 2016, Jim Burton’s experience, insights and sincere engagement will serve the profession well,” said Amy Pawlicki, AICPA vice president, assurance and advisory innovation. “As chair, he will oversee committee efforts related to blockchain, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and sustainability, among others, and will provide strategic direction in identifying and developing innovative new assurance and advisory opportunities.”

Burton joined Grant Thornton in 1989, and, in his current role, he leads the team responsible for setting audit policy and providing audit tools and guidance to engagement teams in the U.S. He has nearly 20 years of experience performing audit and attestation services in the lead partner role for a variety of industries, and leads teams in the following practice areas: standards and professional bodies, technology and tools, audit methodology and execution, and data analytics.

Prior to serving as partner-in-charge of Audit Methodology and Standards, he held a variety of roles at Grant Thornton, including Denver office managing partner, Internal Control over Financial Reporting Resource Center national leader, U.S. Central Region International Business Center director, Professional Standards partner, and the Greater Bay Area Audit practice leader.

Burton is a certified public accountant (CPA) in California, Colorado and Illinois and is a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs and the AICPA. He received a master’s of business administration degree with a concentration in taxation and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from San Jose State University.