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Leslie Strauss Joins Sikich as Global Controller and Patrick Whippo Promoted to VP of Finance

Sikich

Sep 2 2025

3 min read

Roles support the company’s continued expansion and growth strategy

CHICAGO – Sept. 2, 2025 – Sikich, a Chicago-based leading global technology-enabled professional services company, today announced that Leslie Strauss has joined the organization as a vice president and Global Controller. Strauss will work closely with Patrick Whippo, who has been promoted to vice president, Finance, and report directly to Sikich Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Spohn.

Strauss is an accomplished executive and certified public accountant with extensive leadership experience across accounting, finance and operations management. She brings more than 30 years of experience in public and private equity-backed companies, consulting, SaaS and technology, with a track record of driving bottom-line growth in organizations ranging from $25 million to $2.5 billion in revenue.

“We’re committed to building a world-class organization that supports our expansive growth strategy,” said Spohn. “Leslie’s transformational leadership, technical expertise and strategic mindset make her an exceptional fit for Sikich as we continue to scale.”

As global controller, Strauss will oversee all aspects of the company’s global accounting operations, financial statement reporting, audits and regulatory compliance, helping to build scalable financial infrastructure and support Sikich’s continued expansion.

Strauss holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University. She has played a pivotal role in leading mergers and acquisitions integrations, implementing ERP systems and corporate treasury. She brings deep expertise in U.S. GAAP compliance, SEC reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley controls.

For more information, visit https://www.sikich.com/.

About Sikich

Sikich is a Chicago-based global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With approximately 2,000 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments and federal agencies, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals.

Sikich practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients, and Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries provide tax and business advisory services to its clients. Sikich CPA LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich LLC under which Sikich LLC supports Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services. Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms.

“Sikich” is the brand name under which Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC provide professional services. The entities under the Sikich brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Sikich brand. The use of the terms “our company”, “we” and “us” and other similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC.

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This publication contains general information only and Sikich is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or any other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should you use it as a basis for any decision, action or omission that may affect you or your business. Before making any decision, taking any action or omitting an action that may affect you or your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. In addition, this publication may contain certain content generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) language model. You acknowledge that Sikich shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by you or any person who relies on this publication.

About the Author

Sikich

Sikich is a global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With more than 1,900 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies and is comprised of one of the largest CPA firms in the United States. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments and federal agencies, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services* and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals. *Securities offered through Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. 