David Capitano

CPA

Partner

+1 (610) 927 4512

As the firm’s higher education practice leader, Dave Capitano provides oversight to more than 200 team members serving over 400 public and private colleges, universities, research institutions and academic medical centers across the United States. Dave has more than 30 years of experience working with college and university leadership and boards in a variety of strategic advisory and accounting areas. He takes a hands-on approach working collaboratively with institutional leadership to provide guidance and advice to be sustainable and resilient.

Dave hosts Higher Ed Advisor, Baker Tilly’s biweekly higher education podcast, which discusses the latest news, trends and changes impacting colleges, universities and research institutions. Additionally, Dave co-leads the collegiate athletics and esports practice where he has the privilege of working directly with athletic directors, coaches and student athletes to help them succeed on and off the field.

Experience

Serves as overall engagement partner for a large state system, a role that required coordinating more than 7,000 staffing hours to deliver the consolidated financial statements for 14-plus universities
Acts as partner-in-charge or relationship partner of more than 20 private and community colleges and universities
Provides accounting and audit expertise to national and local media outlets and publications, including USA Today, AICPA Insights, Compliance Week, Central Penn Business Journal, Pennsylvania CPA Journal and Reading Eagle
Participates in speaking engagements for Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers, Community College Business Officers, The Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities in New York and various other higher education-related associations
Conducted an operational review and evaluation of the budgeting and business processes for Harvard Law School. Shared findings for improving communication protocols, aligning workflow processes with overall end objectives and goals and improving suggested departmental reorganization plan. Advised departments on implementing a system to effectively and efficiently manage the school’s overall budgeting capabilities
Worked with management teams of private and proprietary schools to develop corrective actions related to the Department of Education’s financial responsibility standards when composite scores reached unsatisfactory levels
Supported management with the preparation of formalized strategic plans needed to guide organizations to financial and operational improvements
Licensed CPA in Pennsylvania and West Virginia

Involvement

Industry

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers (EACUBO)
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP)
Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities of New York (CICU)
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT)

Community

United Way of Berks County, board member
Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce, board member
Greater Reading Economic Partnership, board member
Team PA Foundation, board member
Vision Resource Center Berks County, 85th Anniversary Campaign, chair
Luzerne County Head Start, board member
Pittston YMCA, board member
United Way of North East PA, board member
King’s College President’s Council

Location

Lancaster, PA

Education

Harvard Business School (Boston)
Executive Leadership Program

King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
Bachelor of Science in accounting

Expertise

Graduation caps are thrown in the air in celebration

Podcast

Higher Ed Advisor

Bi-weekly Baker Tilly podcast hosted by Dave Capitano with insightful guidance and leading practices for college, university and research institution leaders and board members.

Listen to our podcasts