Awards

Kelley School of Business Academy of Alumni Fellows - 2009

About Ronald S. Cohen

Ron Cohen joined Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP (now Crowe Horwath LLP) in 1958 as one of 12 employees. When he became Chief Executive of the firm in 1982, there were 200 employees. After 12 years as Chief Executive, he became Chairman of the Board of Executives, a position he held until 2000, at which time he became Partner in Charge of Litigation Services. Crowe Horwath now is the eighth largest U.S. accounting firm with approximately 2,500 employees. In addition, Cohen served as Chairman of Horwath International from 1999 until 2006 and was a member of its Executive Council/Board from 1991 to 2006. He retired from Crowe Chizek in 2003 and now has his own CPA business, specializing in complex commercial disputes.

Cohen served as chairman of the board of directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) from 1995 to 1996 and was a member of its board from 1990 to 1997. He continues as a member of its Governing Council and has served in that capacity since 1998. His extensive committee service for the AICPA over the years includes chairing its International Strategy Committee and serving as a member of its Assurance Services Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Compensation Committee, Regulation and Structure Committee, Audit Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee, as well as on the Joint Committee on Regulation and Structure of the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

Cohen has been a member of the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association since 2000 and served as a member of the Governing Council of the International Federation of Accountants from 1997 to 1999. A member of the Indiana CPA Society since 1961, Cohen is a past president of its South Bend chapter.

Cohen earned his bachelor of science in business from the Kelley School of Business in 1958 with honors. He is a member of its Dean's Council and is a past member of the Kelley School of Business Alumni Association board of directors.

Cohen's civic involvements include service as a board member and treasurer of Memorial Hospital and Memorial Health Systems, board member and campaign chairman of the United Way of St. Joseph County, board member of the Medical Education Foundation, commissioner and vice chairman of the South Bend Public Housing Commission, president and board member of the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, president and board member of Sinai Synagogue, board member and treasurer of the Michiana Arts and Sciences Council, board member of the South Bend Civic Theatre, and member of the South Bend Public Defender Advisory Committee.

Cohen received the American Institute of CPAs Gold Medal for Distinguished Service in 2006 and the Indiana CPA Society's Distinguished Service Award in 2008. He was recognized three consecutive years in the mid-1990's as one of the 100 Most Influential Accountants in the U.S. by Accounting Today and received the President's Award in 1996 from the Indiana Society of CPAs.