First Woman Ever Becomes CEO of a Major U.S. Accounting and Consulting Firm

Cathy Engelbert, CEO, Deloitte LLP

For the first time in the history of major U.S. accounting and consulting firms, a woman has been appointed to head the company as CEO. Fifty-year-old Cathy Engelbert was named Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte LLP. Deloitte is one of the “Big Four” global accounting and consulting firms in the U.S. It is a milestone for professional women everywhere.

Distinguished track record

Egelbert has been with the company since 1986. Her background is impressive. As current chairman of the Board of Deloitte LLP stated, "Cathy has a strong track record of advising some of the firm's leading clients, and working with regulators to advance our industry-leading Audit practice." Egelbert holds a BS in accounting from Lehigh University and is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She is also a past recipient of the YWCA's Tribute to Women in Industry Award and is among the Women's Fund of New Jersey's "25 Most Influential Women in Finance."

Deloitte known for diversity

The “Big Four” global accounting and consulting firms include Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. But Deloitte is the first professional services firm to elect a minority CEO, woman chairman of the Board, and minority chairman. Their diversity efforts have placed them on Fortune's 100 Great Places to Work List.

Read more at fortune.com/2015/02/09/deloitte-names-first-female-ceo/