Area of Focus
Business risk consulting

John Brackett

Chief Risk Officer, Partner
Area of Focus
Business risk consulting

About John

John Brackett started with the firm in 2004 and currently serves as the chief risk officer, where he leads the firm’s National Office of Risk Management (NORM). In this role, John works with the firm’s board and executive leadership team to oversee the firm’s risk culture and quality, while preserving and enhancing the value of the RSM brand. Working with our NORM personnel, John ensures the firm’s risks are identified, mitigated and monitored while maintaining a risk culture aligned with regulatory standards and client service needs.


Experience

As the firm’s chief risk officer, John works with the firm’s board and executive leadership team to align the firm’s strategic vision with the people, processes and technology needed to deliver quality and maintain critical risk management activities. John’s responsibilities include risk evaluation, risk modeling and enterprise compliance. These responsibilities involve firm inspections, licensing, regulatory compliance, professional liability, independence, enterprise risk management and internal audit.

Before becoming the firm’s chief risk officer, John was the national leader of the risk consulting practice, which consists of business risk consulting, technology risk consulting and security and privacy risk consulting. The risk consulting practice provides risk, financial, strategic and operational guidance to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registrants and large private companies across various industries. Select services provided to clients include risk evaluation and mitigation, fraud and forensics, internal audit, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and developing and maintaining corporate governance programs.

John focuses on studying best practices and emerging trends in corporate governance. While recently completing his doctorate in accounting, his research focused on leadership's role in corporate governance. He brings this deep experience to clients to create and evaluate strategies to improve the synergies between C-suites and governing boards. Clients and prospects frequently seek John’s council to solve business challenges and implement changes to enhance organizational success.

John's experience includes developing and integrating strategic corporate planning initiatives for global clients, implementing enterprise risk management and corporate governance programs for companies with international operations and complex business models, and providing strategic coaching and training to boards of directors and audit committees. He has worked extensively with the assurance practice at RSM and in a prior role with a Big Four accounting firm.

In addition to his service to clients, John invests in the success of RSM professionals, coaching staff members to bolster their skills at serving boards, audit committees and C-suites. John uses his critical thinking skills to ensure that every action enhances client value. He is committed to the firm’s goal of being a first-choice advisor to clients globally and does his best to reinforce RSM’s culture and values.

John is committed to giving back to the community through his leadership roles within the profession and academia. He is passionate about advising universities and preparing students for successful business careers, including a successful career path within public accounting. 


Professional affiliations and designations

  • Certified public accountant
  • Chartered global management accountant
  • Certification in risk management
  • Certified financial services auditor
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Institute of Internal Auditors

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Houston−Clear Lake
  • Master of Business Administration, High Point University
  • Doctor of Business Administration, accounting, Liberty University
  • Certificate, psychology of leadership, Cornell University
  • Certificate, business law, Cornell University