Eric Russell
Eric Russell is a Director with ENJ PLLC responsible for management consulting and regulatory compliance engagements with primarily public sector clients. Over the course of his 20-year career, he has served in numerous executive and senior management capacities, including serving as a Director and Senior Manager within two public accounting and consulting firms, Deputy Finance Director for one of the largest municipalities in the United States, and President of two separate not-for-profit organizations’ boards. He specializes in federal grants and contracts, audit readiness and response, asset management, and public financial management. Never one to avoid an opportunity to give back to the profession, Eric is often called upon to deliver training presentations. He has delivered training for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), Thompson Grants, the Association of Government Accountants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Grants Summit, and numerous others.
Eric brings a wealth of audit-related experience to the table having served as an auditor, auditee, audit trainer, and consultant. During his 13-year tenure with Crowe LLP, Eric led more than 100 audits executed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. These included financial and performance audits conducted on behalf of federal offices of inspectors general as well as program-specific and for-profit entity audits required by federal agencies. In addition, Eric served as both a program specialist and technical quality reviewer for audits of certain transit and transportation agencies, housing agencies and authorities, and energy and utility-related entities.
As part of his responsibilities within local government, Eric worked significantly in an audit preparation and readiness role documenting and implementing certain procedures, developing audit finding responses and overseeing corrective action. Eric has also worked with numerous organizations to establish and execute internal audit units and monitoring programs, conduct forensic analyses and investigations, prepare financial statements, schedules, reconciliations, and to document policies and procedures needed to support, manage, or otherwise satisfy audit requirements and address various related risks.
Eric is the Immediate Past President of the National Grants Management Association’s (NGMA) Board of Directors and is a current member of the Thompson Grants Advisory Board. He is an alumnus of The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs and of Stetson University’s School of Business Administration.
My Sessions
Session 1: We’re Subject to Audit, Now What?! >>
When faced with an audit, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This session is designed to demystify the auditing process, guide you through requirements, and equip you with strategies for effective preparation. Whether determining if you’re subject to an audit, understanding scope, or navigating agency-specific obligations, this session will provide the insights you need to stay compliant and confidently manage your audit. Key topics include determining audit requirements under Subpart F and agency-specific rules, exploring the scope of single and agency-specific audits, and understanding the critical role of pre-audit preparation. You’ll also learn best practices for auditor selection, managing deliverables, and navigating essential communications like engagement and management representation letters. Learning Objectives: *Learn how to identify audit triggers and requirements for your organization. *Understand the scope and expectations of various audit types, from single audits to special-purpose audits. *Develop proactive preparation techniques to streamline the audit process and ensure compliance.
Session 2: Practicing Practical Magic – Preparing for and Managing the Madness >>
Audit preparation can feel like chaos, but with the right strategies, you can turn the madness into an organized and effective process. This session focuses on actionable steps to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a seamless audit experience. From avoiding key drivers of inefficient audits to understanding the auditor’s mindset, you’ll gain tools to effectively prepare and manage the process. We will explore best practices for audit preparation, management strategies, and leveraging internal controls to identify and correct issues before an audit occurs. Additionally, you’ll gain insight into the audit process itself, from planning to reporting, so you can better anticipate and respond to expectations. By thinking like an auditor, you’ll learn how to reduce risks, prepare with purpose, and manage with confidence. Learning Objectives: * Identify root causes and drivers of suboptimal audit experiences and develop strategies to address them. * Learn practical methods for preparing documentation, managing audits, and ensuring compliance throughout the process. * Understand the audit process stages, from planning and risk assessment to fieldwork and reporting, to better align internal preparation and responses. * Develop a proactive approach by leveraging internal reviews, risk-based auditing, and compliance tools to mitigate potential findings. This session is ideal for professionals managing audits in compliance-heavy environments, including financial managers, audit liaisons, and grant administrators. Equip yourself with the insights needed to reframe chaos into control and strengthen your audit readiness!