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Former FASB Leader to Join BKD as a Partner
NEW YORK CITY – BKD CPAs & Advisors will add Rick Cole as a partner in the firm’s New York City office, effective October 1, 2019. Cole has more than 25 years of experience working to help higher education and not-for-profit (NFP) organizations succeed. He specializes in audits and advisory services for those industries.
“Rick’s expertise will allow us to continue to help NFP organizations pursue their mission of helping others. He’s an excellent asset to BKD,” said Tondeé Lutterman, national industry partner.
Before joining BKD, Cole worked at FASB, where he served as a supervising project manager. Cole was the project manager on Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-14, Presentation of Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Entities; ASU 2018-08, Clarifying the Scope and Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made; ASU 2019-03, Updating the Definition of Collections; and the Financial Performance Reporting for business entities project. Cole also was the coordinator for FASB’s NFP Advisory Committee and the Private Company Council.
Prior to working for FASB, Cole was vice president and controller at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where he worked for more than seven years. In addition, he was a senior manager with an international firm where he worked for more than 14 years, specializing in audits of higher education institutions and other NFPs.
“We’re thrilled that Rick Cole is joining our firm as partner. His vast knowledge and skills, combined with his positive attitude, determination and talent will help clients reach new heights of success,” said Ryan Reiff, managing partner for BKD’s New York office.
Cole is a CPA in New York and New Jersey and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New York State Society of CPAs. He also is a lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies in the nonprofit management program. Cole earned B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Montclair State University, New Jersey.