Grant Thornton Chicago announces 3 promotions within tax services
Don Lippert is now State and Local Tax Property Law managing director
Lippert joined Grant Thornton in 2006 and specializes in property tax consulting and valuation services. He has 20 years of professional experience and has worked extensively with manufacturing, airlines, telecommunications, hospitality, senior living, financial services, retail, high-tech, healthcare and energy industries.
Lippert is a certified member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) and an associate real estate appraiser in the state of Illinois. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bradley University.
Tim Schram is now State and Local Tax managing director.
Schram joined the firm in 1998 and is the national leader of the firm’s Credit and Incentives practice. He has 20 years of experience negotiating for state and local incentive packages on behalf of clients. He has successfully assisted clients secure incentives, through programs such as sales tax sharing agreements, cash grants, property tax abatements, and refundable income tax credits.
Schram is a CPA in Illinois and a member of the AICPA, ICPAS and IPT. He is a regular speaker and contributor to articles for organizations in the state and local incentives field. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University.
Kumiko Watanabe has been admitted as Japan Business Group partner
Watanabe joined Grant Thornton in 2011 and specializes in the U.S. taxation of foreign-based multinational corporations. She has significant experience in income tax provision, restructuring, transfer pricing, R&D studies, IRS audit support and cost segregation studies.
Watanabe is a CPA in Illinois and a member of the AICPA and ICPAS. She is a frequent speaker at tax forums with Japanese professional organizations and has authored numerous tax articles. She received a master’s degree in taxation from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Northern Illinois University.