EUGENE M. DEFRANK CPA

Eugene is a shareholder in the Accounting, Assurance and Advisory Services practice at Schneider Downs, bringing many years of experience and leadership to the firm. He began his public accounting career in 1985 and joined the firm in 1988, where his dedication and expertise led to his promotion to shareholder in 1998. Over the years, Eugene has gained extensive experience and expertise with privately held, private-equity-owned and ESOP-owned businesses in the construction, manufacturing, transportation and logistics industries.

Eugene is regarded as a trusted business advisor by both clients and colleagues. His counsel is frequently sought to solve complex financial, accounting, and business issues.

Professional and Community Involvement

Officer and Board Member—Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania

Member—American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Member—Construction Financial Management Association

Member—Schneider Downs Construction Industry Group

Member—Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

Past Chairman—Schneider Downs Transportation and Logistics Services Group

Past Member—Schneider Downs Accounting, Assurance and Advisory Services Committee

Past Chairman – Schneider Downs Accounting and Assurance Effectiveness Committee

Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)

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What was your childhood dream?
To play for the Pittsburgh Pirates

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?
I met my wife at Schneider Downs.

Do you have a “motto?”
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Anything with my children.

Do you have advice for young professionals?
Work hard, learn every day, build your network, take care of your family and give to those who are less fortunate.

Eugene Defrank

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: A Global Company Needing Better Internal Controls.


Big Thinking: A Network Of Professionals To Implement Best Practices.

Shareholder JIM YARD is Schneider Downs’ practice leader for our Risk Advisory Services Department. Jim specializes in providing risk management, internal audit, and internal control consulting services.
 One of our clients was a large consumer markets company with a global footprint. We learned that the company wanted to improve overall corporate governance and internal controls. Jim’s team was called upon to help with an evaluation since leadership at the company realized the need for a firm with international experience in multiple countries and languages. With the assistance of country-specific resources through Prime Global - one of the largest associations of independent public accounting firms in the world - and a consistent core team based in Pittsburgh, we have been able to provide the expertise necessary to develop and assist the company in building and establishing a global internal audit function, and bringing best practices across their global operations and core processes. “By accessing industry expertise, assessing risk and pulling in subject matter and international specialists, we were able to direct the company’s plans to implement best practices, mitigate risks, standardize their processes and create efficiencies throughout its operations and business units,” Jim said. “The client has recognized the success of this partnership and has gone on to award us other projects including on-going international location reviews, various operational and process reviews, systems implementation/migration, and fraud investigations.” 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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