James E. Merklin
| 3421 Ridgewood Road Suite 300 | Main: 330.762.9785 |
| Akron, Ohio 44333 | Fax: 330.762.3108 |
| Direct: 330.255.2448 |
Professional Info
James E. Merklin, CPA, CFF, CFE, M.Acc.
Partner
Assurance and Advisory Services
General Info
Jim Merklin serves middle-market and high-growth clients in a variety of industries. He has extensive experience in employee benefit plans, business planning, financial forecasting, attestation services, fraud/forensic investigations, and internal control and operations reviews.
Jim has performed numerous special projects for clients, such as feasibility studies, cash flow analyses, due diligence on business acquisitions, and profitability studies.
Jim was with Ernst & Whinney from 1986 to 1989 and with Hausser + Taylor from 1989 until he joined Bober Markey Fedorovich in 1997. He was elected partner in 2003.
Certifications
- Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Specializations
- Employee benefit plans/ESOP/403(b) plans
- SEC attestation and advisory services
- International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Manufacturing/Distribution
- Retail/Consumer products and services
Education
- Bachelor of Science in accounting, Case Western Reserve University
- Master of Accountancy, Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University
- Recipient, Dean’s Award for high scholastic achievement
Professional and Civic Memberships
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA)
- AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Expert Panel
- AICPA 403(b) Plans Task Force
- AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Risk Alert Task Force
- Past member, AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Audit Quality Center Executive Committee
- OSCPA EBP Conference Planning Committee
- Chair, PKF North America Employee Benefit Plans Committee
- Past chair, PKF NA Manufacturing/Distribution Committee
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
- Former president, Employee Benefit Council of Northeast Ohio
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Board and Executive Committee member, United Way of Summit County
- Chair,Tocqueville Society, United Way of Summit County
- Past chair and current Audit Committee chair, Community Support Services, Inc.
- Past chair, Goodwill Industries of Akron
- Secretary and incoming treasurer, NEOUCOM Foundation Board of Directors
- Akron General Health Systems Community Health Committee
- Member and past treasurer, Rotary Club of Akron
- Graduate and class vice president, Leadership Akron, Class of 2003