Patrick Laird, MBA
Greater Chicago Area,IL
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Audit Associate, Audit Associate II
Grant Thornton LLP
2023.09 - Current
- Perform planning procedures for various clients and scoping for engagements to respond to relevant risks, improving efficiency and effectiveness of the audit
- Provide detailed status updates to personnel and clients for ongoing engagement metrics including budgets, timelines, and performance
- Supervise and review substantive procedures ensuring adherence to applicable quality standards
- Promote Grant Thornton's brand by participating as a member in the professional community and attending recruiting events
Audit Intern II and I
Grant Thornton LLP
2021.01 - 2022.08
- Performed substantive testing of both transactions and account balances
- Analyzed supporting documentation to confirm account and transaction amounts
- Used factor and trend analysis to develop expectations for account balances using Microsoft Excel and leveraged in-house data analytics tools and external sources as a benchmark
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and applied problem solving skills to meet their dynamic needs
Funeral Assistant
Laird Funeral Home
2016.01 - Current
- Complete the annual comptrollers report and review financial statements for performance tracking and budgeting
- Assist with funerals, communicating details with families and guests, organizing systematic car parking for processions
- Support management with building upkeep, snow removal, event coordination, and equipment maintenance
Education
Global MBA -
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL05.2022
Associate's in Arts -
Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL03.2020
Activities
- Board Member, Lurie Children's Junior Research Board, 04/24, Present, Attend and participate in monthly board meetings to identify ways to raise money for the board's mission, Collaborate with the board to host fundraising events
- Member, NIU Investment Association, 08/20-05/22, Participated in weekly finance discussions, managed a virtual stock trading portfolio, and assessed market trends, Delivered an informative presentation on Walmart corporation's financial health using fundamental and technical analysis
- Head of Data Analytics, PwC's Business Case Challenge, 10/19, Composed a business strategy report and delivered a compelling presentation to PwC accounting partners in competition with fifteen universities, Analyzed various companies financial statements to identify strengths and weaknesses and to reveal synergies, Conducted cross-sectional benchmarking and developed proforma financial statements using historical and industry trends
Certification
- Business Analytics Using SAS Software, Northern Illinois University, 05/22
- Microsoft Excel Expert 2019, Microsoft, 10/21
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft, 01/18
Skills/Interests
- Data analytics
- Mentorship
- Financial statement/KPI analysis
- Enjoy fishing
- Car enthusiast
- Cooking/baking
Timeline
Senior Audit Associate, Audit Associate II
Grant Thornton LLP
2023.09 - Current
Audit Intern II and I
Grant Thornton LLP
2021.01 - 2022.08
Funeral Assistant
Laird Funeral Home
2016.01 - Current
Global MBA -
Northern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
Northern Illinois University
Associate's in Arts -
Elgin Community College