UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business graduate Jeff Ellis, 1998, partner, U.S. and global life sciences audit leader, and life sciences professional practice director at Deloitte, recently accepted an invitation from Dean Charles H. Whiteman to join the Smeal Board of Visitors.
Members of the Board of Visitors offer advice to the dean and other Smeal administrators based on their professional experience and knowledge of the latest issues and trends facing the business community. Members meet twice each year to provide recommendations on new initiatives and offer feedback on matters related to the college.
The fall 2020 meeting is taking place virtually today.
"Jeff brings more than 20 years of professional experience to his work with the board,” said Dean Whiteman. “He has a particular interest in supporting undergraduate education, and his guidance and counsel will help Smeal advance the extraordinary educational opportunities we offer our students now and in the future, and I am looking forward to his contributions.”
Ellis began his career as an audit and advisory professional with Deloitte in 1999. He advanced to senior manager in the firm’s Global International Financial Reporting Standards and Offerings Services group where he assisted foreign private issuers, primarily in Europe and Latin America, with their application of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations.
Next, he spent two years as a professional accounting fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before returning to Deloitte. He served as an audit partner in Deloitte’s national office and as deputy professional practice director for the firm’s New Jersey commercial audit practice before assuming his current role.
Ellis is currently an audit partner, engagement quality reviewer, and advisory partner for multinational and emerging growth public and private clients in the life sciences industry. He also serves as Deloitte’s U.S and Global Life Sciences audit leader, U.S. Life Sciences and Healthcare audit leader, and its professional practice director for the life sciences audit practice. He is responsible for establishing Deloitte’s industry audit strategy, consulting with engagement teams on industry-specific accounting and auditing matters, communicating emerging accounting and auditing issues, and facilitating the management of risk.
Ellis said that he was honored to be asked to join the board.
“My years as an undergraduate student at Penn State were the most impactful of my life, and I look forward to working with such an esteemed group of alumni, as well as Dean Whiteman and other Smeal administrators to help develop today’s students into the business leaders of tomorrow.”
The Smeal College of Business Board of Visitors is a 40-member advisory board composed of global business and industry leaders who are Smeal alumni and friends. The complete list of Smeal’s Board of Visitors membership can be found online.