Nick Chavis

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 – BD & Company, Inc., and ClearView Consulting, Inc. – 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’ 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—the 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 “Smalltimore” for a reason.