Bernard Leone

Get to Know Me

Bernie is Lead of Withum’s Entrepreneur Advisory Services Group, based out of our New York City office.  He is a licensed certified public accountant and has over 35 years of experience working with a diverse group of entrepreneurial companies, CEOs and business owners in a broad range of industries. Bernie has provided these companies and their owners with assistance on such matters as strategic and transaction advice, financing, management succession and IPOs.

Bernie spent over 30 years with Ernst & Young where he was a partner and held several leadership roles, including the New Jersey leader of Strategic Growth Markets, an office managing partner and the New York metropolitan regional director of entrepreneurial services. He was also active in the NJ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year™ program, which he helped establish.  The Emerging and Growth Markets Group within Ernst & Young was responsible for serving privately-held businesses, private equity groups (including companies they invest in), established family-owned businesses and companies raising financing (including ESOPs and initial public offerings in both the United States and foreign markets). He has broad-based industry experience and has served international companies of all sizes ranging from start-up ventures to Fortune 1000 companies.

Prior to joining Withum in 2009, Bernie created his own consulting firm, which provided financial and business advice to owners and senior executives of businesses that were in “transition” or were considering a significant event. Prior to starting this entrepreneurial consulting firm, Bernie served as managing partner of the New York Office of Tatum, LLC, the largest executive services firm in the country, where he tripled the size of the practice.

Bernie has authored articles, co-authored books and delivered presentations on a variety of business and accounting subjects with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and early-stage businesses. He was also named to the list of “Who’s Who” in New Jersey Business Leaders by NJBIZ.  Bernie resides in Bergen County, NJ.