Ed O'Connell, CPA, CFF, CFE

Director-in-Charge: Accounting and Auditing

Director: Life Sciences, Technology and Public Company Services Group

Areas of Expertise

Edward O’Connell is the Director-in-Charge of Accounting and Auditing, as well as a leader in the Life Sciences, Technology and Public Company Services Groups. His responsibilities include oversight of all audit, review, compilation, and agreed upon procedures engagements to ensure the Firm’s independence, ethics integrity and professional accounting and auditing standards. Additionally, he chairs the Firm’s Peer Review Committee, which maintains Cowan, Gunteski & Co.’s quality control structure in accordance with The Center for Public Company Audit Firms Peer Review Program. He handles such matters as public and large private company audits, CFO advisory services, financial statement analysis, income tax provisions, internal audit services, internal control services, SEC filing preparation, consulting on complex transactions, and audits of employee benefit plans.

Prior to rejoining the Firm, Ed was the Partner-in-Charge of Accounting and Auditing as well as Public Company Advisory Services at a regional accounting firm in New Jersey. Mr. O’Connell was also an Inspection Specialist with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Experience obtained included expertise in fraud, revenue recognition, equity transactions, internal control, independence and ethics; as well as life sciences and technology issuers. He received specialized training in quality assurance, workpaper review, audit efficiency, SEC filing requirements, and accounting and auditing standards. Mr. O'Connell is the Chair of the SEC/PCAOB Sub-Committee of the NJSCPA Accounting and Auditing Standards Resource Group. As a testament to his professional and personal accomplishments, Ed was included in the 2008 Class of Forty Under 40 by NJBiz.

Industry/Service Specialities

• Accounting & Auditing
• Benefit Plan Audit
• Fuel & Energy
• Life Sciences
• Public Companies
• Technology

Education and Credentials

• 1993 graduate of Rider University - Bachelor of Science Degree (Accounting)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• New York and New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants
• NJSCPA Accounting and Auditing Resource Group
• Institute of Internal Auditors
• Certifies in Financial Forensics
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Membership in Professional and Civic Organizations

• SEC/PCAOB Sub-Committee of the NJSCPA Accounting and Auditing Standards Resource Group - Chair

• Turn the Corner Foundation (member of the Board of Directors)
• John Drulle Memorial Fund (Events Committee)
• Wiss Edward W. O'Connell Memorial Scholarship Fund (Co-founder and former Trustee)

Contact Information

Email: eoconnell@cowangunteski.com

730 Hope Road

Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Phone: 732-676-4100