Gretchen Valentine is a partner at RSM US LLP with over 30 years of experience addressing the business and tax needs of a wide variety of clients, including public and private businesses and their owners. Prior to joining RSM in 2004, Gretchen was a partner at a Big Four firm, where she held several leadership roles advising similar clients. 

As an enterprise account leader, Gretchen serves strategic accounts by gaining a deep understanding of the client’s business enterprise. As a client’s needs are identified, Gretchen collaborates with RSM leaders across all lines of business to bring the client the right RSM solutions. She oversees delivery teams to ensure each engagement focuses on the client’s unique business issues. This role requires broad business acumen and the ability to gain an understanding of a client’s industry and operations, as well as a deep knowledge of RSM services. 

Gretchen has extensive experience with corporate tax matters, including formation, restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions. She has significant experience working with manufacturing, technology, software and life sciences companies, where transaction issues are common. 

She works with many global clients to address operational and accounting challenges, such as Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740 accounting for income taxes, stock-based compensation, deferred revenue, research and development tax credits, IRS examinations and global tax planning. 

In recent years, Gretchen has held several leadership roles in RSM’s West Region, including office managing partner, tax consulting leader and corporate tax leader. Currently she participates on a national committee addressing the tax functional lead role description, tasked with preparing RSM’s next generation of tax leaders by addressing various aspects of the firm’s tax practice, including the lead role function, the firm’s tax playbook, and team training.”

Within RSM, Gretchen is also an executive sponsor for the Orange County chapter of the firm’s STAR employee network group, which connects employees interested in women’s work issues.  

• Certified public accountant, California
  
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  
• California Society of Certified Public Accountants
  
• California State University Fullerton, College of Business and Economics Accounting Advisory Board
  
• Olive Crest Orange County Board of Trustees, former member
  
• Pacific Club, finance committee, former member
• Susan G. Komen Orange County, former president of the board 
• USC Associates

• Master of Business Taxation, University of Southern California
  
• Bachelor of Science, accounting, University of Southern California