BKD CEO Spencer Re-elected

BKD LLP CEO Neal Spencer has been re-elected to a second three-year term by the firm’s partners.

Spencer is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of BKD’s more than 2,000 personnel, including approximately 250 partners in 32 offices serving clients in all 50 states and more than 25 countries. He also chairs BKD’s management committee, which is responsible for policymaking and strategic direction of the Top 10 accounting and advisory firm with net annual revenue of $405 million. 

The management committee originally nominated Spencer to lead the firm in September 2006, and he was confirmed by the partners in November of that year. On June 1, 2007, Spencer succeeded former managing partner Bill Fingland, who spearheaded the firm’s management and growth for 10 years. Spencer was re-elected to the CEO post in November of this year.

“Having the confidence of my fellow partners is a tremendous honor,” Spencer said.  “Their support validates my vision of leading BKD to new heights of unmatched client service by attracting and retaining the finest employees and molding them into thought leaders whose expertise will drive the firm’s continued growth.” 

Spencer supervised a corporate restructuring of the firm’s former practice units into three geographic regions and a virtual region comprising initiatives and subsidiaries.  He also oversaw a comprehensive rebranding effort, as well as the acquisition of three Mississippi firms and one each in Dallas and San Antonio. Under his leadership, BKD was named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” by Accounting Today in 2008 and 2009.

Spencer entered public accounting in 1986, joining BKD’s Little Rock, Ark., office as a staff accountant, and was elected to partner in 1997. He specialized in health care services to hospitals, long-term care facilities and community mental health facilities. Before serving as CEO, Spencer spent 10 years as managing partner of the Louisville, Bowling Green and Owensboro, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., offices.  

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