Brett Baker
West Sacramento,CA
Summary
Detail-oriented Audit Director with 14+ years of public accounting experience and a proven track record in private and public company audits. Skilled in leading high-performing teams and driving client financial planning objectives.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assurance Director (External Audit)
Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP
09.2018 - Current
- Led assurance engagements for clients across the software, manufacturing, energy, retail & consumer, and food & beverage sectors, serving both mid-market private companies and public entities
- Provided assurance services for clients during initial public offerings (IPOs), reverse takeovers (RTOs), and SPAC transactions
- Key member of the DataSnipper transition team, improving audit automation, data analysis, and overall engagement efficiency
- Managed and mentored between two and eight auditors per engagement, including offshore teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables, on-time reporting, and adherence to budget constraints
- Conducted ICFR assessments, identified control deficiencies, and advised clients on best practices for strengthening financial reporting processes
- Oversaw the entirety of the engagement cycle from client acceptance, execution of the audit, quality control consultations as needed, issuance of the report, and engagement economics
- Delivered technical and annual staff training on evolving audit methodologies, regulatory updates, and new software tools
- Spearheaded business development initiatives for several clients, including two with approximately $100M in revenues, growing the firm’s client base in the manufacturing, agriculture, and food & beverage sectors
- Worked on and directed all areas of audits including, but not limited to: revenues and accounts receivable, equity, derivatives, business combinations, impairments, inventories, debt and convertible debt, leases, and income taxes
- Led business development groups and contributed to several other initiatives to drive growth
- Fostered relationships with clients to improve the effectiveness of the audit process and client experience, as well as to increase cross selling opportunities
- Developed and cultivated relationships with leads, network contacts, and channel partners to facilitate growth and bring in new business
Assurance Manager
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
06.2013 - 09.2018
- Managed audit engagements for publicly traded companies in the snack food, renewable energy, marine retail, and non-profit sectors
- Oversaw ICFR readiness and conducted training for clients on internal control improvements
- Key player in driving process improvements for clients, helping scale operations, and ensure financial compliance in fast-growing environments
- Delivered exceptional client service, managing audit teams and serving as the main point of contact for leadership teams and vendors
Audit Senior Associate
KPMG LLP
11.2010 - 05.2013
- Provided audit and advisory services for companies with revenues exceeding $1B, leading first-year audits and internal control reviews
- Assisted in financial reporting for large acquisitions, ensuring accurate IFRS-compliant financial statements
- Performed advisory work for companies during spin off transactions
Audit and Tax Intern
Gallina LLP
01.2010 - 04.2010
- Supported audit teams with staff-level tasks, including tax return preparation and financial statement analysis
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration — Accounting Emphasis
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento05.2010
Skills
- Client Relationship Management
- Engagement Quality Control
- Project Management
- Risk Management Expertise
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Client Economics Management
- Team Building and Motivation
- US Generally Accepted Auditing Principles, Canadian Auditing Standards, PCAOB Auditing Standards
- FASB Standards
- SOX Compliance
- Audit Documentation
- Staff Development and Training
- Proficient in GAAP and IFRS frameworks
- Business Development
- Proficient with Microsoft Suite, IDEA (data mining software), CaseWare, RSM Orb, and CCH ProSystems
- Exceptional problem-solving abilities
- Technical accounting, including but not limited to business combinations, impairments, inventories, revenues, debt, and leases
Leadershipandcommunityinvolvement
- Organized and led firm-wide fitness challenges and volunteer activities.
- Active participant in recruitment efforts and professional networking events.
- Volunteer activities include river clean-ups and teaching martial arts.
Certificationsandskills
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — California Board of Accountancy, Advanced knowledge of U.S. GAAP, PCAOB regulations, IFRS, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance., Proficient in audit software and tools: DataSnipper, Advanced Excel, MS Office, SharePoint, CCH KBA, and CaseWare.
Sectorexperience
- Vertically Integrated Consumer Packaged Goods, Led and oversaw the audit of multiple companies.
- Cooperative Banking, Managed a SOX readiness assessment for a cooperative bank.
- Retail & Food and Beverage, Supervised audit and SOX work for a $1B snack company.
- Public Energy Company, Audited public energy company with $1B in revenue.
- Manufacturing Companies, Audited private clients with revenues ranging from $50M to $500M.
Affiliations
- Organized and led firm-wide fitness challenges and volunteer activities promoting wellness and impact.
- Active participant in recruitment efforts and professional networking events.
- Volunteer activities include river clean ups and teaching martial arts.
Accomplishments
- Onboarded the DataSnipper tool to increase efficiencies in engagements
- Brought in over $500,000 in new business in the past three years
- Led new hire and experienced staff trainings for the past three years
Certification
- Certified Public Account License #119501
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assurance Director (External Audit)
Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP
09.2018 - Current
Assurance Manager
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
06.2013 - 09.2018
Audit Senior Associate
KPMG LLP
11.2010 - 05.2013
Audit and Tax Intern
Gallina LLP
01.2010 - 04.2010
- Certified Public Account License #119501
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration — Accounting Emphasis
California State University, Sacramento
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