PATRICK B. ARMKNECHT CPA, CITP

Patrick has more than 28 years of experience helping clients optimize processes and leverage technology to solve problems. He has direct experience with digital transformation, process automation, project management, corporate accounting, internal audit, software selection and implementation. He has served clients in the professional services, manufacturing, distribution, not-for-profit and hospitality industries.

Patrick’s responsibilities include oversight of the firm’s Business Process Automation, Data Analytics, Digital Transformation, Software Solutions and IT Consulting Services. In this capacity, he’s required to stay abreast of the latest advancements in technology, digital trends and best practices to help identify and deliver value added solutions to clients.

Patrick’s responsibilities require significant planning and administrative skills, in addition to a thorough knowledge of specific financial, technological and operating concerns of the entities served.

 

Education

B.S. – Business Administraton, emphasis Accounting, West Virginia University

Professional and Community Involvement

Member—American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Certified Information Technology (CITP) Credential Holder

Member—Schneider Downs Not-For-Profit Services Industry Group

Member—Butler Country Club, Finance Committee

Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, Past Treasurer

Member—ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)

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What was the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never be afraid to fail.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your college self?
Enjoy the present. The future will be here soon enough.

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?
Technology is always changing – most of the time for the better.

What was your first job?
I was a paperboy.

Do you have a “motto?”
Do the right thing. Every time.

Do you have advice for young professionals?
Find your passion and pursue it. You spend too much of your life working not to enjoy what you do.

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: Cybersecurity Defenses Compromised By Employees’ Passwords


Big Thinking: Significant Updates To The Cybersecurity Environment.

Shareholder ERIC WRIGHT has been involved with Information Technology with Schneider Downs since 1983 and oversees the firm’s thriving Technology Consulting and IT Audit & Compliance practices. Through this role, Eric brings extensive experience in assessing IT infrastructure and identifying cybersecurity risk and exposure.
One of our clients felt fairly good about their existing cybersecurity defenses. But they were still afraid of the unknown and newer cyber attack techniques. Through our regular audit procedures, we inquired about their current cyber controls and their confidence in withstanding an attack. We then performed a network penetration test which simulates an external adversary hacking their network. This procedure identified the client's unknown weaknesses in their defenses through a live test. “Within 48 hours, we were able to guess the passwords of close to 10% of their employees, effectively giving us VPN access to their corporate network and certain employee utilities, like email.” Eric said. "We also found that their corporate intranet site was visible over the internet and susceptible to login via the bad passwords. After identifying these issues, we worked with the client to make significant changes to their environment to make it harder for an attacker to break in." Schneider Downs provides Big Thinking and Personal Focus in delivering a variety of services for large and small businesses, both publicly and privately held, as well as nonprofit organizations, government entities and more. Through our commitment to thought leadership and knowledge management, we deliver the solutions our clients need with a personal commitment to service.

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Every moment counts. For urgent requests, contact the Schneider Downs digital forensics and incident response team at 1-800-993-8937. For all other requests, please complete the form below.

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