Nick Chavis
Alumnus: Accounting '01
Internal audit and risk management are evolving business segments offering new opportunities for professionals with diverse backgrounds and a keen eye for detail. Nick Chavis '01 is an internal audit and risk management executive with a technology focus at ClearView Group, a Management Consulting & CPA firm in Hunt Valley, MD. He shares how the role and perception of internal audit and risk management is changing.
What is ClearView Group, and describe your role as Director, Business Risk and Technology
Services?
ClearView is a CPA and Management Consulting firm. Through its member companies 鈥
BD & Company, Inc., and ClearView Consulting, Inc. 鈥 we provide attest, tax, risk
advisory, business technology, accounting and finance and state and local tax consulting
services to domestic and international clients across many industry verticals. I currently
lead our Business Technology Solutions practice, which provides strategic insight
to companies looking to make an investment in technology to streamline their business
processes. Because of my experience in professional services, as well as a former
Chief Audit Executive, I also have a role within our Risk Advisory practice, leading
projects for internal audit, risk management and compliance services.
You currently serve as president of the Institute of Internal Auditors鈥 Baltimore
chapter. Why is associating with organizations like the IIA important as a professional?
Getting involved provides you with an opportunity to stay on top of hot topics within
your profession, keep up to date with relevant certifications and network with local
executives in your industry. Our goal is to change the view of our entire industry,
and be seen as problem solvers. Organizations like the IIA allow me to connect with
other peers and professionals in a meaningful way, and get to know others within our
industry not only in a professional capacity, but also a personal one. These are all
important factors to stay ahead of the curve as a professional.
What advice would you give to current business and accounting students?
The best advice I can give is to work hard at being the best at your craft and spend
time developing professional relationships鈥攖he rest will come easy. I can't emphasize
enough how important developing a professional network is to your career, especially
in the Baltimore market. The city's nickname is 鈥淪malltimore鈥 for a reason.