Heather Acker leads Baker Tilly’s firmwide risk advisory practice. With more than 20 years of experience, her responsibilities include oversight of 300 professionals who specialize in helping clients to address governance, risk and compliance issues in areas such as internal audit, enterprise risk management (ERM), regulatory compliance and management of financial and operational risks. Prior to this role, Heather oversaw all aspects of quality for Baker Tilly’s public sector industry practice, specializing in serving the needs of state and local government clients. She also served as Baker Tilly’s Central region assurance professional practice group leader and chair of the firm’s Assurance Innovation Committee. She has been deeply involved in professional industry associations, including AICPA committees, throughout her career. Heather serves on Baker Tilly’s Board of Partners.

Heather Acker leads Baker Tilly’s firmwide risk advisory practice.  Her responsibilities include oversight of 300 professionals who specialize in helping clients to address governance, risk and compliance issues in areas such as internal audit, enterprise risk management (ERM), regulatory compliance and management of financial and operational risks. 

Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting

Provides leadership, management and strategic direction for the firm's risk advisory practice

Provides leadership in operations, service design and growth strategies across the risk advisory practice

Guides execution of accounting policies and procedures to improve the operation of the accounting function and strengthen internal controls

Oversees financial and single audits of governments

Leads Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) strategic planning and implementation services for clients

Environmental, social and governance specialists

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

AICPA state and local government expert panel (2009-2012 and 2015-2020) and chair (2016-2020)

AICPA Government Audit Quality Center Executive Committee (2012-2015)

Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Regular speaker at national and regional industry conferences

GASB Tribal government accounting workshop group  (2018-2021)

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

Wisconsin Government Finance Officers Association

Illinois Government Finance Officers Association

Authors published articles on municipal accounting issues

Recognized contributor to AICPA, including “State and local government audit guide”, “Government auditing standards and single audit guide”,   “State and local government audit risk alert” and “Government auditing standards and single audit risk alert”

Thanks for the message