Jeffery P. Watson, CPA, CGMA, Principal

Jeff Watson is an audit principal at Miller Cooper and Co., Ltd. He has over 20 years of professional experience in public accounting and industry.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:   Mr. Watson has responsibilities as an audit principal specializing in quality assurance, accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting in many industries, including manufacturing, distribution, financial services, construction, not-for-profit, publishing, technology, consumer products and governmental industries. He also has significant experience in independence and ethics.

Mr. Watson was previously a supervisor in the financial services group at one of the “Big 4” accounting firms, senior manager in the quality control group at a large regional accounting firm and a director of SEC reporting for a publicly traded entertainment company. His private industry expertise includes financial reporting and accounting, computer systems and implementation, internal control, process streamlining, and budgeting and forecasting. Mr. Watson also provides consultation services to both publicly- and privately-traded companies in the area of accounting and financial reporting.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:   Mr. Watson graduated from Illinois State University with a double major in accounting and finance. He received a Master of Accountancy, with Distinction, from DePaul University: Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Mr. Watson was previously an adjunct professor at DePaul University, teaching accounting theory and policy formulation in DePaul’s Master of Accountancy program.

Mr. Watson is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and previously served on its Technical Issues Committee (2015-2018), which is a committee of appointed CPA practitioner volunteers working to represent the views of local firms and their clients in the standard-setting process. Additionally, he is an active member of the Illinois CPA Society. His contributions often span multiple forums and media as he contributes ideas and insights in the following ways:

  • Accounting Principles Committee of the Illinois CPA Society, an appointed senior technical committee formed to further the development and recognition of accounting principles – Chairperson (2011-2013), Vice-chair (2009-2011), Member (2007-present); Chairman of the Accounting & Auditing 2010 Conference Task Force; member of the CPA Exam Awards Task Force (2017-present); and a prior member of the Society’s Insurance Task Force (2008-2009).
  • FASB/IASB Roundtable Participant on Lease Accounting (January 2011); FASB Roundtable participant on Private Company Accounting and Reporting Issues (October 2011); FASB Roundtable participant on Consolidation Reorganization and Targeted improvements (December 2016); and FASB Roundtable participant on Invitation to Comment – Agenda Consultation (December 2016).
  • Three-time recipient (2018, 2011 and 2009) of the Illinois CPA Society’s Distinguished Service Award for his role on the Accounting Principles Committee.
  • Author of several interpretation materials for CCH’s Accounting Research Manager and technical reviewer of online financial accounting CPE courses for a large company that specializes in CPE and CPA exam review materials for accountants.

Mr. Watson is a licensed and registered Certified Public Accountant in Illinois.

Contact Jeffery Watson at jwatson@millercooper.com via email or at 847-205-5000.