Professional Headshot of Wayne Berson

Wayne Berson

Principal, Chief Executive Officer; BDO USA Chairman, BDO International

CPA

Executive Summary

Wayne Berson is the CEO of BDO USA, P.A. He previously served as the Atlantic Assurance Regional Managing Principal and from 2010 through 2012 as Chairman of the BDO USA Board of Directors. Wayne has also been the Chair of the Global Board of Directors of BDO International, Ltd. since 2014. He has more than 30 years of experience in all phases of client service and accounting practices. He has served as the responsible principal in a variety of industries, including many which are deeply involved in multinational operations. In addition to North America, he has directed engagements in Central America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Wayne has lectured on accounting and management topics for various organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Society of Association Executives, Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, and others.

Wayne has been interviewed in national accounting publications such as Accounting Today, Fortune, Journal of Accountancy, Practical Accountant, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, various state society magazines and the Washington Business Journal, which in 2012 and 2013 named him as one of the Washington D.C. region’s 100 most powerful business leaders. He has been named annually since 2013 in Accounting Today’s list of the top 100 most influential people and in 2017 was named as one of Accounting Today’s managing principal elite. In 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 he was named to the NACD Directorship 100, and in 2016 he was presented with the year’s GWSCPA Outstanding Service to the Profession Award.

Wayne has been interviewed in national accounting publications such as Accounting Today, Fortune, Journal of Accountancy, Practical Accountant, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, various state society magazines and the Washington Business Journal, which in 2012 and 2013 named him as one of the Washington D.C. region’s 100 most powerful business leaders. He has been named annually since 2013 in Accounting Today’s list of the top 100 most influential people and in 2017 was named as one of Accounting Today’s managing principal elite. In 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 he was named to the NACD Directorship 100, and in 2016 he was presented with the year’s GWSCPA Outstanding Service to the Profession Award.

From the Office of the CEO

  • 30% Club U.S. – Founding member
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Past Member, Private Companies  Practice Section Executive Committee; Member, Nominations Committee
  • Center for Audit Quality – Former Governing Board Vice Chairman
  • Economic Club of Washington D.C., Member
  • Global Alliance for Vaccinations and Immunizations – former Board Member and Chair of Audit Committee
  • Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants - Accounting Principles and Nonprofit Committee Member, Past President of the Board of Governors Executive Committee
  • Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • National Association of Corporate Directors – Governance Fellow
  • South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
  • Virginia Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Wall Street Journal CEO Council, Former Member

  • B.Comm, Accounting, University of Cape Town
  • Accounting Science degree, Honors, University of South Africa