Lara Abrash is CEO of the Deloitte US Audit & Assurance business, where she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization, including execution of the quality, innovation, growth, and talent strategies. She is also a member of the US Audit & Assurance Executive Committee and the US Executive and Management Committees.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Abrash served in a number of leadership roles during her career at Deloitte: chief operating officer, national Audit & Assurance transformation leader, and deputy CEO of the Audit & Assurance business. While serving in each of these leadership roles, Ms. Abrash also maintained significant client responsibilities, including for the firm’s largest and most complex clients.
As national Audit & Assurance transformation leader, she was instrumental in pioneering Deloitte’s leading position to transform the audit profession through technology and innovation. Her leadership philosophy is based on her deep understanding of multinational clients in various industries, her leadership roles and experiences, and her passion for advancing innovation and inclusion in the profession.
Ms. Abrash also served on the Board of Directors of Deloitte USA LLP, where she was chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Evaluation Committee and the Strategic Committee. Through these roles, she built strong relationships with Deloitte’s national and regional leaders around the world.
Ms. Abrash’s leadership extends to her community and other important causes. She is involved with the New Jersey Battered Women’s Service, where she previously served as the treasurer. In addition, Ms. Abrash’s passions for inclusion and diversity as well as innovation and technology come together through her involvement with the Girls Who Code organization, whose mission is focused on closing the gender gap in technology. She is a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council, which advises the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on issues related to projects on its agenda, possible new agenda items, project priorities, procedural matters that may require the attention of the FASB, and other matters as requested by the chairman of the FASB. Finally, she is a member of the Securities Exchange Commission Historical Society Board of Trustees, a non-profit organization founded to share, preserve and advance the knowledge of the history of financial regulation.
Ms. Abrash was named one of the 2019 Women of Power and Influence honorees by the National Organization of Women in New York City. She also maintains an ongoing commitment to her alma mater, Baruch College, where she has served as a board trustee. In recognition of her dedication and leadership in the profession, she was honored by the Baruch College Alumni Association as a recipient of the 2019 Alumni Business Leadership Award. In September 2019, Abrash was named to Crain's "Notable Women in Accounting & Consulting" list.
She is a licensed certified public accountant in New York and New Jersey and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University at Albany, State University of New York, and a Master’s of Business Administration from Baruch College.