James M. Larson, CPA is an audit partner in the firm of Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman CPAs. Mr. Larson has more than 25 years of accounting experience in both the public and private sectors, including more than three years with a large national CPA firm. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance at Florida State University.
Mr. Larson’s client responsibilities include managing all phases of A-133 audit engagements for international private voluntary organizations receiving USAID and non-US government funds. In this capacity, he is responsible for directing audits of large organizations, field office auditing and staff training. He interacts with management and board members to communicate management comments, audit findings and specific issues, including improvements in accounting and operating systems, and systems of internal control. He travels extensively on behalf of clients in Africa, Europe and Eurasia.
Mr. Larson also spent more than six years in financial management positions in the private sector where he developed hands-on experience in implementing accounting and internal control procedures, preparing budgets and financial forecasts, and consulting on investment decisions and employee benefit plans. As controller for a national nonprofit organization, he designed and implemented new policies and procedures for contribution reporting, and installed the organization’s automated accounting system.
Mr. Larson presents seminars on specific aspects of nonprofit auditing. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Greater Washington Society of CPAs and the Florida Institute of CPAs. He has served on the Board of Directors of Mentors, Inc. and currently serves on the board of the Mill Creek Towne Swim Association. He also participated on an InsideNGO advisory council and in a panel discussion titled “Ask the Auditor.”
Mr. Larson is a member of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & the Center for Association Leadership, the Finance & Administration Roundtable and BoardSource.