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Ray is former Chairman and CEO of Schneider Downs & Co., Inc., one of the 60 largest public accounting and business advisory firms in the United States, and the largest public accounting and business advisory firm in Western Pennsylvania and Central Ohio.
Ray has been with the firm since 1975, becoming shareholder in 1981 at the age of 28. He was named President/CEO in 1985, and served the firm in that capacity for 29 years. He ascended to the role of Chairman in 2014. Under his leadership, Schneider Downs enjoyed ongoing growth that elevated firm revenues from $4 million in 1987 to more than $87 million in 2019. Since 1985, the number of employees at Schneider Downs has grown from 50 to nearly 500 today. Ray remains of special counsel to the firm today.
As President and CEO, Ray was responsible for the firm’s direction, including expanding the firm’s market area into Columbus, Ohio, and growing the firm’s service offerings, which include Schneider Downs Wealth Management and Schneider Downs Corporate Finance.
During the 1990s and beyond, Ray’s role with the firm continued to evolve, as he became more deeply involved as a key confidant to several of the firm’s family-owned business clients. This role grew to include service on the Boards of several of those companies.
Ray was an active member of the firm’s audit department from 1975 to 2002, at which time he turned his full attention to the management of Schneider Downs. During this period, and the years that followed, Ray played a key role in various mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and closely held family consultations to the firm’s clientele.
Ray was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners by CPA Magazine, honoring his lifelong work and commitment to promote the CPA profession.
Ray was instrumental in the formation and growth of the International Group of Accounting Firms (IGAF), which is now known as PrimeGlobal. Schneider Downs became a charter member of IGAF in 1978. Ray has served the organization in several board terms over the past 30 years, culminating in his tenure as North American Chairman in 2007, and Chairman of the World Board in 2009. Under Ray’s direction, IGAF orchestrated multiple mergers with additional global organizations, forming a new merged entity, PrimeGlobal, which is now the world’s third-largest association of independent accounting firms.
Ray and Kathy Buehler have been married since 1977, and are proud parents of two daughters, Lindsay (Brian Tyson) and Kathleen (Michael Koehler) and proud grandparents of two grandchildren. After raising their family in Upper St. Clair, PA, Ray and Kathy reside in Mt. Lebanon, PA, and also enjoy spending time at their second home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Ray is highly active within the community, both as a representative for Schneider Downs and as an extension of his lifelong commitment to serving others.
Current:
Board Member—Nextier Bank, NA
Board Member—Ricart Associated Companies
Board Member—United Way of Southwest Pennsylvania
Member—Young Presidents Organization (YPO Gold)
Co-Chairman, Board Member—Notre Dame Advisory Board
Past:
Chairman and Board Member—Vincentian Collaborative System Foundation
Board Member—Vincentian / Marian Manor Corporation
President and Board Member—Notre Dame Club of Pittsburgh
World Chairman, North America Chairman and Board Member—PrimeGlobal (Formerly known as International Group of Accounting Firms (IGAF))
Chapter Chairman and Education Chair—Young Presidents Organization (YPO)
Member—AICPA’s Nomination Committee, and from 1999 to 2017 was actively involved with the AICPA’s Major Firms Group
Do you have a hobby or personal passion?
My passions are family, friends and travel
What was the best advice you’ve ever received?
The advice to pass on the Big 8 (it was a long time ago) and find a good local CPA firm to start my career
Who was your role model?
I’m fortunate to have had three role models:
Raymond W. Buehler, Sr., for his integrity and values, and his commitment to family and integrity
Bill Hoag, who preached to “kill ‘em with kindness”
Jim Schneider, who taught the value of marketing with a commitment to working hard
What was your childhood dream?
To be like my father, with a commitment to family, as well as business and financial success.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your college self?
I wouldn’t change a thing.
What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?
The fact that I’ve been part of the same company for more than 41 years, and the fact that we’ve grown from 22 employees to more than 400…while keeping our corporate culture and focus intact.
What was your first job?
I was a bus boy at Bonanza restaurant, making $1 an hour.
Do you have a “motto?”
One word: Care.
Do you have advice for young professionals?
Stay with public accounting and find your passion. The experience will serve you well no matter where your career path leads. Most of all: Care about all that you do, and you will succeed.
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