| —West Region Partner-in-Charge, Business Advisory Services
 Stephen Materson, CPA, is Grant Thornton’s west regional partner-in-charge of Business Advisory Services (BAS). He is ultimately responsible for all of our BAS professionals and serves as the engagement partner or concurring partner for regional services related to Sarbanes-Oxley, internal audit, enterprise risk management, technology risk management, and regulatory compliance.
During the mid-90s, Stephen served the banking industry extensively in the preparation and adherence to the internal control requirements contained with the FDIC Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA), which brought similar rules to the banking industry then as Sarbanes-Oxley is bringing to Corporate America now. This previous internal control experience with FDICIA has proven invaluable as Stephen helps our clients prepare for Sarbanes-Oxley today.
Since joining Grant Thornton in July of 2002, Stephen contributed to the development of Grant Thornton's methodology and framework around the internal control requirements for Sections' 302 and 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley. He has also worked to revise and enhance the Firm's internal audit methodology and approach - focusing on internal control and best practices.
Stephen authors various articles including discussion papers related to best practices for internal control assessments, Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulatory compliance matters. He is an in-demand speaker on such topics to the Financial Executives Institute, the Institute of Internal Auditors, Bankers' Associations and various law firms throughout the region as well as business organizations.
Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Stephen was with Arthur Andersen for ten years. While at Andersen, Stephen served in a dual role as a financial statement auditor and as an internal auditor/internal control specialist. This variety of experience has proven extremely beneficial to our Sarbanes-Oxley clientele as Stephen is able to bring a more comprehensive perspective to our clients in the form of both financial statement/accounting expertise and internal control expertise.
He remains current with his profession and business issues through participation in Riordan Leadership Development Program, Business for Social Responsibility, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants and the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Current clients include bebe, The Gymboree Corporation, Southwest Water Company, Hawaiian Electric Industries, California Pizza Kitchen, Countrywide, Impac Mortgage, Cymer, Digital Insight, Ixia and Tekelec.
Stephen received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration, with a Major in Accountancy from the University of Alabama.
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