The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Grant Ashley is the 2005 recipient of the Outstanding CPA in Government Award from the American Institute of CPAs.
The award recognizes CPAs working in government who have made significant contributions to the increased efficiency and effectiveness of government organizations, and to the growth and enhancement of the profession.
During his 25-year FBI career, Ashley, an executive assistant director, has served as a financial analyst, special agent, and as a member of the FBI's senior management. He is the highest-ranking CPA in the FBI. In his capacity as a senior executive, Ashley has implemented significant changes in how the FBI conducts field financial transactions, and in 2003 was awarded a Presidential Rank Award by the government for his contribution of re-allocating resources for the counterterrorism effort.
During his service as assistant director of the Criminal Investigative Division, with responsibility for all of the FBI's criminal investigations, Ashley also oversaw the creation and implementation of a corporate fraud initiative, which also incorporated efforts by the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other government agencies.
In addition, Ashley has worked diligently to forge a relationship with the AICPA, especially in the financial fraud detection and prevention areas. He orchestrated a successful Webcast, viewed by more than 20,000 CPAs, on "Arresting Financial Fraud:
The Inside Story from the FBI." He has also been involved in efforts to publicize and promote career opportunities for CPAs in the federal government. Today, the FBI is actively recruiting CPAs, and in 2004, 15 percent of the FBI's new hires were projected to be CPAs.
