Dennis Whalen Named Executive Director of KPMG's Audit Committee Institute

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dennis Whalen, a 30-year veteran and senior leader of KPMG LLP, has been named partner-in-charge and executive director of KPMG's Audit Committee Institute (ACI).  Whalen joined KPMG in 1982 and was admitted to the U.S. partnership in 1995. 

"Dennis has held a number of key leadership roles in the firm and also has considerable experience working with audit committees, serving as KPMG's lead partner for a number of large global companies in the energy, construction, telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries," said James P. Liddy, vice chair – Audit for KPMG, in making the announcement.

Whalen succeeds Mary Pat McCarthy, who retired December 31, 2011 after 35 years of service with the firm.

"I'm truly excited by this opportunity to engage with audit committees and boards in a different way," said Whalen. "With companies facing so many critical issues, from regulatory change and the impact of emerging technologies to international risk, the ACI's role in helping governance practices evolve to address today's challenges and tomorrow's will be as vital as ever. I look forward to helping shape this important dialogue."

Whalen is a member of the firm's National Audit Leadership team and served on both the U.S. and Americas boards of directors. While on the U.S. board, he chaired the Audit, Finance & Operations Committee.  As Audit partner in charge of KPMG's Houston business unit from 2003 through 2009, Whalen was instrumental in increasing KPMG's participation in the global energy industry.      

Whalen has worked with the Audit Committee Institute for a number of years as a moderator and panelist on the ACI roundtables, and has been involved in a number of other industry forums focused on corporate governance. 

He is a graduate of Pace University.  

About KPMG's Audit Committee Institute
Established in 1999, KPMG's Audit Committee Institute (ACI) provides information, resources, and knowledge sharing opportunities – both online and through a variety of forums – to help audit committee members, directors, and senior management enhance the effectiveness, integrity, and oversight of the financial reporting process. ACI forums include the Audit Committee Roundtable Series, the Annual Issues Conference, and Quarterly Audit Committee Webcast. Learn more about ACI at www.auditcommitteeinstitute.com, 1-877-KPMG-ACI, or [email protected].

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International.") KPMG International's member firms have 145,000 people, including more than 8,000 partners, in 152 countries.

Contact: Pete Settles
KPMG LLP 201-505-6065
732-546-4212 (cell)

SOURCE KPMG LLP