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EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science -
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

ASSOCIATIONS
AICPA
TSCPA 

LICENSES
Licensed in Tennessee and Georgia

Renee Ford is a Principal in Decosimo’s assurance practice and has over 22 years experience in public accounting in both assurance and taxation. She practices primarily in the area of financial statement audits under both U.S. and international audit and accounting standards with emphasis on investment companies, captive insurance companies and healthcare. 

Renee is the primary assurance principal involved with firm’s offshore engagements handled in the Cayman Island office and has obtained certification in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to enhance her expertise in the international market. Working with the firm’s Financial Services Group, she serves approximately 90 domestic and international funds with more than $1.3 billion in assets under management, including funds listed on the Irish, London, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and Cayman Island stock exchanges. Renee has advised and assisted many clients in successfully transitioning and maintaining compliance with the complex rules and disclosure requirements of the new fair value accounting standards. To stay abreast of the latest changes and challenges affecting the investment sector, Renee regularly attends and occasionally presents on accounting and compliance matters at trade association meetings and conferences. 

Renee also has experience assisting captive insurance companies and currently serves over 15 companies and managers ranging in size from $100,000 to over $100 million in total assets. She applies her assurance experience to these companies by conducting audits and providing advice on governance, accounting and compliance issues.  

Additionally, Renee has a strong background with serving clients in the healthcare industry. She works with one of the nation’s largest long-term care chains comprising more than over 250 nursing, assisted and independent-living facilities, as well as six other independently owned facilities, encompassing over $2 billion in revenues. She coordinates with a client service team to provide assurance, tax preparation and advisory and IT risk assessment services. Leading the assurance services, Renee advises clients on the complex consolidation and financial statements presentation issues involving variable interest entities, as well as accounting and disclosure requirements regarding regulatory and litigation matters.  

Renee is an active member and a past president of the Chattanooga chapter of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA). She is a member of the TSCPA State Council and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Renee is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and has served on a number of boards of not-for-profit organizations.  She was inducted into the Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2004, and selected for Chattanooga’s “40 under 40” list in 2002.

Licensed as a CPA in both Tennessee and Georgia, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with honors from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She serves on Decosimo’s Professional Development Steering Committee and is integrally involved in the planning and delivery of the firm’s training and development programs.