The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)—one of the largest state associations in the nation serving the certified public accountant (CPA) community—has presented Daniel F. Rahill III, CPA/PFS, JD, LL.M., CGMA, with its prestigious 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor ICPAS bestows on a member who has demonstrated distinguished service to both ICPAS and the CPA profession.

Rahill earned the CPA credential and became an ICPAS member in 1981. Over the past 42 years, he has served on numerous ICPAS committees, task forces, and councils. In addition, he served multiple terms on the ICPAS Board of Directors, of which he is a former chairperson, and the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois Board of Directors. Rahill continues to be an active ICPAS volunteer and speaker for a variety of educational sessions. He is also a frequent contributor to ICPAS’ Insight magazine and often represents ICPAS to the public in various media appearances.

Rahill is currently a wealth strategist at Wintrust Wealth Management in Chicago, where he works with individuals and business owners to develop income tax, estate planning, investment, and business succession strategies. Prior to joining Wintrust in 2019, Rahill held various leadership positions with BDO USA LLP, Alvarez & Marsal, and FGMK LLC following more than 27 years with KPMG LLP. Prior to his time with KPMG, Rahill practiced law in Chicago, specializing in tax and estate planning. He spent the first five years of his career in audit and tax with Ernst & Young LLP.

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Rahill also holds several other volunteer roles. He is a state chapter president and board member of the American Academy of Attorney-CPAs, where he is a frequent speaker. He is also an active member and instructor for the Financial Planning Associations of Illinois and Florida, and belongs to the Chicago Estate Planning Council, the Economic Club of Chicago (past membership chairperson), the AICPA (National Governing Board member), and Metropolitan Family Services (past board member and Finance Committee chairperson). Rahill also serves on academic advisory boards at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Illinois, and Northeastern Illinois University. 

Rahill earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and was honored as an Accounting Alumni of the Year in 2008. He received his law degree and master’s degree from the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. Rahill also holds a FINRA Series 65 investment license and earned the AICPA’s personal financial specialist (PFS) accreditation in 2022.

“It is a great honor to present Dan with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Geoffrey Brown, CAE, ICPAS president and CEO. “From his volunteer service and contributions, to sharing his expertise with others through our publications and media appearances, Dan has had a tremendous impact on our community and the profession. He truly embodies the high ideals associated with this recognition.”

At ICPAS’ Leadership Recognition and Awards Dinner on June 8, 2023, Rahill thanked his family, friends, and current and past ICPAS staff and colleagues for the support he has received throughout his career and recounted a pivotal point early in his career: “My tax managing partner, who was planning to nominate me for partner the following year, told me my resume was missing one thing: active participation in the Illinois CPA Society. That advice, which was more of a directive, ended up being a career changer for me, opening the door to friendships and professional relationships that have lasted for more than three decades. I am exceedingly grateful to receive the Illinois CPA Society’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Accounting