BDO Seidman Mourns Ben Neuhausen

BDO Seidman said the firm’s national director of accounting, Ben Neuhausen, has passed away after a prolonged illness.

Neuhausen, 59, died in Chicago last Friday. A leading voice in the accounting standard-setting process, he received a special recognition award earlier this year from the American Institute of CPAs for outstanding contributions to standard-setting.

“All of us at BDO Seidman are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague, Ben Neuhausen,” said BDO Seidman CEO Jack Weisbaum in a statement. “His technical knowledge and high ethical standards were a very valuable resource to our firm. In a time of increasing complexity, Ben was the voice of clarity and common sense. One of our most respected partners, his high professional standards served as a beacon for all of our professionals to follow.”

Neuhausen served as the firm’s chief commentator on proposed accounting standards. A former chairman of the AICPA’s Accounting Standards Executive Committee, he was a staunch advocate for the profession and a leading voice in formulating the accounting guidance ultimately adopted by standard setters and regulators. During his 11-year tenure on the AcSEC, he led the committee in its transition from a standard setter into a provider of useful accounting guidance for various industries.

Prior to joining BDO Seidman, Neuhausen was a partner in the Professional Standards Group of Arthur Andersen LLP. From 1979 to 1981, he was also a practice fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Throughout his career, he served as a member of numerous professional committees, task forces and working groups. He received his MBA in accounting from New York University and a BA in economics from Michigan State University.