Maria Manasses

Executive summary

Maria is a partner with Grant Thornton LLP with over 25 years of experience in accounting and auditing. She acts a steward to the accounting and auditing profession at large by supporting young developing professionals, promoting quality work and ethical behavior, and establishing and reinforcing sound professional standards.

As Deputy Chief Auditor, Maria is primarily focused on audit methodology and supports the establishment of policies and procedures to comply with auditing and attestation standards, including the development and review of letters, documentation templates, practice aids, and other guidance as well as learning materials. She interfaces with others on the implementation of new standards and the implications to methodology, and consults on various technical assurance-related matters across service lines.

Maria is a key player in the development and launch of the global audit methodology. Maria joined Grant Thornton LLP after spending a short period of time in private industry as a Director of Investor Accounting. Before that, Maria spent numerous years with Arthur Andersen LLP as an accountant in the firm-wide controller’s group, an auditor in financial services, and a manager in the national professional standards group.

Maria supports diversity and inclusion. She previously served as an Executive Sponsor of the Diverse Abilities at Grant Thornton & Allies Business Resource Group whose mission is to drive greater awareness of the abilities and potential contributions of people with disabilities within the firm, and with clients and strategic partners.

Professional qualifications and memberships

Maria is a member of the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society. She is a certified public accountant in the State of Illinois.

Maria also is a member of the Auditing Standards Board and the Audit Issues Task Force. She previously served as the Technical Advisor to the firm's International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board members and the firm's prior Auditing Standards Board members. She has been recognized by the Auditing Standards Board of the AICPA for her years of dedication and service to standard-setting and the profession.

Community involvement

Maria is a member of a not-for-profit entity with a mission to promote and support Hellenic heritage and close ties between all Messinians living in the United States and Canada. Maria also devotes some time to various church sponsored fund raisers and donates to various causes. She previously served as a co-champion of the Lurie Children's Grant Thornton 100-Meter Kids' Dash.

Maria also supports higher education by serving as a member of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Business Advisory Council and Professional Accounting Advisory Board.

Presentations and publications

Maria has served on many task forces and committees and has contributed to various professional assurance-related standards, audit guides, presentations, and other publications, internationally and within the United States. She chaired the Auditing Standards Board's Risk Assessment Task Force.

Education

• BS, Accounting, University of Illinois at Chicago