International Association
Overview
IGAF Worldwide is one of the oldest, largest, and most well respected accounting associations in the world. It was founded for the purpose of providing member firms with the tools and resources they need to furnish a broad spectrum of efficient, cost-effective accounting, auditing, and management services to clients around the globe.
IGAF Worldwide’s members are typically regional, full-service public accounting and management consulting firms. These highly successful independent firms, with multiple offices in major metropolitan areas, provide technical assistance in traditional accounting and auditing, tax services, and specialized services such as privatization support, fiscal management support, streamlining accounting systems, litigation, strategic planning, business valuations, information technology consulting, system planning, and law firm services.
Because IGAF Worldwide is one of the largest associations of its kind in the world, it provides member firms with the strength and capabilities of a large, worldwide organization with diverse technical skills and geographic representation not possible for a local firm alone. Members exchange technical advice and assistance in every service performed by the profession. IGAF Worldwide members are selected based on exacting requirements for size, reputation, areas of practice, diverse technical capabilities, and geographic location. These requirements must be met not only to gain admission but also to retain membership. Periodic inspections ensure that member firms continue to meet these membership requirements.
IGAF Worldwide was founded in 1977 by ten firms in the United States and Canada. Since that time the association has grown to over 130 firms, with over 430 offices in more than 50 countries around the world. In 2008, member firms had over 1,200 partners and over 11,500 personnel.
The Legal Structure of IGAF Worldwide
IGAF Worldwide is a not-for-profit association registered in Delaware, USA. As a global entity, IGAF Worldwide exists solely to coordinate communication among the independent member firms of its four autonomous regional members. The four autonomous regional members of IGAF Worldwide and their structure are explained below.
IGAF North America
IGAF North America is a not-for-profit association registered in Missouri, USA. IGAF North America does not provide accounting (or any other services) to the clients of its independent member firms, and IGAF North America asserts no control over or responsibility for the actions of its individual independent member firms. The relationship between IGAF North America and its independent member firms is governed by the articles of incorporation of the association, the membership standards of the association, and the association’s bylaws. Nothing in any of these documents dictates the work practices or procedures of any of the association’s independent member firms.
IGAF Asia Pacific
IGAF (Asia Pacific) Ltd. is a company registered in the British Virgin Islands and exists to promote and communicate the common interests of its independent member firms of the region and IGAF Worldwide. It does not provide accounting (or any other services) to the clients of its independent member firms, and IGAF (Asia Pacific) Ltd. asserts no control over or responsibility for the actions of the individual independent member firms. The relationship between IGAF (Asia Pacific) Ltd. and its independent member firms is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company, the membership standards of the association, and the association’s bylaws. Nothing in any of these documents dictates the work practices or procedures of any of the association’s independent member firms.
IGAF Europe
IGAF Worldwide Europe Limited is a company limited by guarantee and registered in the United Kingdom. IGAF Worldwide Europe Limited provides membership services to its members but does not provide any services to the clients of independent member firms or to any other businesses or individuals. IGAF Worldwide Europe Limited asserts no control over or responsibility for the actions of the individual independent member firms.
IGAF Latin America & The Caribbean
IGAF Latin America & The Caribbean is a not-for-profit organization registered in Delaware, USA. IGAF Latin America & The Caribbean does not provide accounting (or any other services) to the clients of its independent member firms, and IGAF Latin America & The Caribbean asserts no control over or responsibility for the actions of the individual independent member firms. Neither IGAF Latin America & The Caribbean nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity. Services are provided by the member firms or their subsidiaries or affiliates and not by the IGAF Latin America & The Caribbean organization.
IGAF Team
Kevin Mead
President, North American RegionExecutive Director, Worldwide Operations
Kevin joined IGAF Worldwide as President in 2002. Before joining IGAF Worldwide, Kevin was the Director of Membership and Customer Relationship Management for TAPPI, a professional association in the pulp and paper industry.
From 1994 to 2001, Kevin worked for the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) in Altamonte Springs, FL. While at the IIA, Kevin held the positions of Manager of Conferences, Manager of Field Services and Manager of Certification Development.
Kevin has also held internal audit and finance positions in companies such as Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Golden Rule Insurance and IBM. He has presented at seminars and conferences throughout Europe, North America and Asia on topics including risk, control and internal auditing.
Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in audit. He is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). In addition, he has published articles in journals including Internal Auditor and the AHIMA Journal, and is the author of a chapter in Thompson’s International Encyclopedia of Business.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Kevin is also a soccer referee and a Boy Scout leader.
Anna Hampson
Chief Financial OfficerAnne began her career with IGAF Worldwide in January 1996. As a “virtual” member of the team, Anne’s base of operation is her home office in New Jersey.
Her primary IGAF Worldwide responsibilities range from Financial Management to the Practice Management Survey to Human Resources. In addition, Anne works on varied research projects – assessing system alternatives for the organization.
Prior business experience includes Assistant Controller for a Natural Foods Supermarket chain in the Boston area, Financial Manager for a Design Studio in New York City and Accountant for a Real Estate and Financial Management company in New Jersey. She received her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.
Anne has toured worldwide as a singer and actress in productions such as The Phantom of the Opera. She has a number of recordings on CD. Currently, she is the alto soloist at her church.
Judy Hermelink Mc Clain
Manager, Meetings & EventsJudy joined IGAF Worldwide in October 2002, bringing with her 15+ years of meeting planning experience. She is the chief organizer for most of IGAF Worldwide’s domestic and international meetings. Judy’s attention to detail, strong focus on customer service, and vast expertise of the meeting planning industry help to facilitate several multi-meeting conferences each year.
Judy started her career working for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the state of Alaska. In other previous positions, she has been honored with both Vice-President’s and President’s awards for her outstanding achievements in sales and marketing.
Judy was born in Selma, Alabama, but considers Anchorage, Alaska her hometown. She enjoys playing the piano, camping, hiking, and especially singing. Being of Spanish descent, Judy is fluent in Spanish, in addition to her many other talents. Judy attended the University of Spain in Valencia, Spain.
Judy has one daughter, also in the meeting and convention industry.
Sara Folk
Manager, Support ServicesJoining the team in November 2002, Sara serves as the database administrator for IGAF Worldwide and also manages various projects for the association and its members. These projects include Web site development and maintenance, database architecture, data sharing and solutions, alliance and member relations, and task force operations.
Prior to joining IGAF Worldwide, Sara worked as a Contract Manager for Practiceworks (now a division of Kodak), a company specializing in healthcare management and imaging software. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Jacksonville State University, minoring in Business Management.
Debra Helwig
Marketing Communications ManagerDebra joined IGAF Worldwide in October 2004. Chief among her duties is acting as liaison to the IGAF Worldwide Marketing Directors and Women’s Leadership Groups, in addition to developing communications and marketing materials that improve the continuity and strength of the IGAF Worldwide brand. In her previous career, Debra served for nearly a decade as a marketing associate and publications editor for LOMA, an international association for the insurance and financial services industry. During her tenure at LOMA, she won over 25 writing awards, and in 2002, she was named one of Georgia’s “Outstanding Women in Print Journalism” by the Georgia Commission on Women and Georgia Secretary of State.
Debra holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Georgia. She enjoys spending her downtime at home with her husband and two young children, plus a houseful of dogs and cats.
Donna Munday
Office AdministratorDonna joined IGAF Worldwide as Office Administrator in February 2008. Her primary responsibilities include managing the Peer Review process for the association’s North American member firms, monitoring global usage of IGAF Worldwide imagery and presentations for compliance with IGAF Worldwide standards, and other mission-critical administrative activities.
In her previous career, Donna served as Office Administrator for Expo Management Company, where she operated as a primary administrative resource and managed a wide variety of research, technology, and customer service projects. Prior to that, she served as a licensed insurance agent for over a decade, working with international companies to manage complex customer service concerns on behalf of an extensive client base. Her experience includes property & casualty insurance, life & health insurance, and financial services.
Donna was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Florida Community College. She initially relocated to Atlanta in 2002 and is now attending Georgia State University, seeking a degree in the Arts.
