Lara Long is Vice President, Corporate Accounting and Reporting at AGCO Corporation. AGCO, a Fortune 300 (NYSE; AGCO) corporation based in Duluth, Georgia, is the third largest global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related parts, distributing products to over 140 countries worldwide. Lara came to AGCO from Andersen in June 2002. Her responsibilities include all financial reporting aspects required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (quarterly and annual reporting, registration statements relating to acquisitions, earnings releases, securities offerings, etc.). Lara is also responsible for ensuring that all worldwide AGCO entities are reporting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and oversees all worldwide accounting policy and research. Until October 2008, Lara was responsible for the Company’s worldwide compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related internal audit operations. Lara works closely with her colleagues in various projects including investor relations, legal, tax and treasury, internal audit and human resources. Lara guest lectures at from time to time at Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, University of Florida and Georgia State University on various accounting and professional topics. She is a founding member of several professional accounting and financial reporting organizations in the Atlanta area.
Prior to AGCO, Lara spent approximately 10 years with Andersen in their Tampa, Florida; Melbourne Australia; and Atlanta, Georgia offices. Lara was an Experienced Audit Manager with Andersen’s business advisory services group focusing within the manufacturing, software and biotech industries. She was also actively involved in campus recruiting efforts at both the University of Florida and University of Georgia while at Andersen and guest lectured various accounting and auditing classes at both campuses.