Greg Barnes is a seasoned financial executive with over three decades of experience leading global financial operations, corporate governance, and strategic growth initiatives. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Greg has built a distinguished career, holding key leadership roles, including as a former President, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Managing Audit Partner with KPMG LLP, as well as other prominent firms.

At KPMG LLP, Greg served as the Managing Partner of the Memphis office, overseeing operations, business development, and talent strategies from 2011 to 2023. His leadership was instrumental in securing clients that contributed over $6.7 million in annual fees. Greg also played a pivotal role in building a culture of collaboration and mentorship, helping numerous professionals achieve partnership. In his role as Audit Partner, Greg advised on complex financial engagements, including IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and governance for companies across diverse industries, from financial services to healthcare and manufacturing.

Before joining KPMG, Greg was an Audit Partner at Moore Stephens Frost (now Frost PLLC), where he secured over $2.5 million in new business and played a vital role in compliance solutions for clients under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Earlier in his career, he served as President and CFO of Staffmark Investment, LLC, where he steered the company through the economic challenges of the early 2000s, achieving $50 million in annual savings through debt restructuring and cost-cutting initiatives.

Greg began his career with Arthur Andersen LLP, rising through the ranks to become a Partner and establishing the firm’s Arkansas practice. He has been actively involved in advisory services for multi-billion-dollar M&A deals, IPOs, and capital-raising efforts.

A trusted voice in boardrooms, Greg has served on numerous boards, including the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and he remains engaged in academia as an Executive in Residence at the University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business and Economics. His educational background includes a Master’s degree in Finance and a BBA in Accounting and Economics from the University of Memphis, and he is a CPA (inactive) and Chartered Financial Analyst®.

Greg’s strategic insight, crisis leadership, and operational expertise make him a sought-after advisor for companies navigating complex financial landscapes.

Character: Greg Barnes is a steady, trusted leader known for his integrity and ability to navigate organizations through crises and change.

Knowledge: With deep expertise in auditing, corporate governance, IPOs, and M&A, Greg brings extensive financial knowledge across multiple industries.

Strategic: Greg excels in driving profitable growth through strategic initiatives like business development, operational restructuring, and capital-raising efforts.

Communication: A strong communicator, Greg is adept at building relationships, mentoring teams, and advising C-suite executives and boards on complex financial matters.