John B. Gianola CPA, CGMA
John Gianola is a retired partner of Ernst & Young (EY). From July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2013 he served as the managing partner of EY’s Charleston, West Virginia office, with responsibility for EY’s practice in the State of West Virginia.
During his 40 year career, including 27 as an audit partner and two as a senior advisor, he had supervisory responsibility for engagements involving accounting and auditing for a variety of industries including distribution, banking, energy, mining and manufacturing, technology and governmental entities. John’s clients were both publicly and privately owned, ranging in size from small entities to multi-national Fortune 500 companies with numerous subsidiaries operating in multiple jurisdictions around the world.
John’s direct client responsibilities included audit and advisory engagements for a variety of U.S and international clients. John’s responsibilities also included significant experience in assisting companies in initial public offerings and other filings with the SEC and other regulatory agencies and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. He assisted clients and their attorneys in structuring transactions, working with regulators and the SEC, and valuation assistance. In addition, he advised clients on the accounting and reporting implications of various alternatives before, during and after merger/acquisition negotiations, and a broad range of other issues. John led continuing education courses for EY executives, was been a guest lecturer in college classrooms, and has served as an adjunct professor of accounting at West Virginia University. He has presented educational seminars for bankers’ organizations, law firms, clients’ management groups, directors and internal auditors. John has provided expert testimony on accounting and auditing matters in legal proceedings.
During his 40 years with EY, John was also responsible for recruiting, developing and mentoring professional staff at EY, many of whom advanced to leadership positions within and outside EY.
John is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Visiting Committee of The College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University. John serves on the Boards of Directors of Summit Financial, Summit Community Bank, The Health Plan, The West Virginia Housing Development Fund, the West Virginia University Foundation, and Evidence Action, an international not for profit.
John’s wife Lynne, who is a WVU graduate, is also a practicing CPA. They have two sons who are WVU graduates.