Two Former Government Tax Officials Join Ernst & Young LLP

NEW YORK, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP today announced that Brandon Carlton and George Blaine are joining the firm's National Tax Department in Washington, DC. Carlton, returning as a principal, worked for the firm from 1999 to 2007 before moving to Treasury and becoming Associate Tax Legislative Counsel in the Office of Tax Policy. Blaine, who spent the last 35 years at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), most recently as Associate Chief Counsel, Income Tax and Accounting Division, will join the firm as an executive director. While in government, Carlton and Blaine worked cooperatively on the development of guidance.

"We're excited about the strong capabilities both Brandon and George will bring to the firm's tax clients," said David Helmer, Americas Director of Business Tax Services. "Brandon brings tremendous experience with tax policy on various provisions of the tax code as well as legislative proposals for inclusion in the president's budget. Impressively, he led the development and issuance of numerous pieces of guidance, including the recently released tangible property regulations, ushering in one of the most significant tax changes since the 1986 reform."

Helmer added, "George distinguished himself as the leader of the Income Tax and Accounting Division, administering the major timing, recognition, costing and accounting provisions of the code. The firm looks forward to providing to our clients the benefit of George's broad understanding of tax technical issues combined with his valuable institutional knowledge of the IRS and how best to work with the Service."

Carlton first began working with Ernst & Young LLP in 1999. During his original employment with the firm, he coordinated its national retail and consumer products tax network. In 2007 he joined the US Department of Treasury. Carlton holds a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center, a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law, a Master's degree from the University of Utah and a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University. Carlton is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

Blaine began his career with the IRS in 1975 with the Exempt Organizations Division and moved to the Office of Chief Counsel in 1983, becoming Executive Director of the Large Case Policy Board in 1993. He was awarded the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award in 2009 and he has been an adjunct professor with Georgetown University Law Center. He received his Master of Laws from George Washington University and earned his Juris Doctor and Bachelor's degrees from Temple University.

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SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP