Brian Kot, CPA, MPA

Brian Kot oversees technology at Cray Kaiser and is also responsible for maintaining the firm’s quality assurance. He ensures that the firm is compliant with professional standards and ensures that the technology is updated and assists with any technical issues.

As a practitioner, Brian understands that his clients need to devote their energy to their businesses, not to matters of accounting. As such, he streamlines engagements at every turn, making the process both efficient and informative. Brian also knows that, in order to diagnose client needs, his job is to listen. He starts every engagement by diving deep, gaining a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ unique situations. It’s all part of his commitment to providing an unparalleled level of service.

Brian is a member of the Illinois CPA Society’s Accounting Principles Committee. This highly impactful senior committee devises responses to new accounting standards that regulators put forth. He is proud of the opportunity to influence the discipline about which he is so passionate, while his committee work also allows him to bring back heightened knowledge to the firm.

In a real way, Brian was born into accounting. Having grown up at his father’s firm, he knew he would become a CPA at a very early age. In fact, he cut his professional teeth in high school, serving as the school store’s accountant. At its height, proceeds from the store funded new uniforms for the school band. Not bad for a teenaged number cruncher.

Brian earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Bradley University and a Master’s Degree in Accountancy from Elmhurst College.

Community: Member, and Past-Chairman of the Illinois CPA Society Accounting Principles Committee; Treasurer, Harris Farm Homeowners Association; Committee Member with Boy Scouts of America

Service: Mentoring boy scouts by teaching them new skills and assisting them as they make progress in their scouting careers.