As Tim Walsh ’92 sees it, his latest job promotion was akin to “winning the lottery.” “I’m not sure anyone aspires to that specific role, since it’s like one in a million,” he said. The role in question: chair and CEO of U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG. Walsh took the reins in July after succeeding in a series of increasingly demanding leadership roles within the firm over the previous 33 years.
“At KPMG, we’re about protecting the capital markets. Trust is the foundation, and being ethical — and all that goes into that — is the heart and soul of our entire brand. Do the right thing, every single day, every day of the year.” — Tim J. Walsh ’92
That journey began at The University of Scranton, where as an accounting major he was first introduced to KPMG recruiters and leaders. That led to an internship his senior year, then a job offer shortly after graduation.
“Now, here I am becoming chair and CEO of that same firm, which would not have happened without that connection at the University,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible if I think about the steps along the way and what the University provided me in terms of opportunity.”
Walsh grew up in Binghamton, New York, with deep familial roots in Scranton. His mom was a West Scranton native whose parents were a coal miner and a seamstress. His dad, meanwhile, grew up in Dunmore, attended Scranton Preparatory School and spent several years in the Jesuit order before deciding to
get married.
“Because of my parents, I was familiar with The University of Scranton,” Walsh said. “Obviously, it’s a Jesuit school, which my parents liked. But it also had a very good business school, which is what really interested me."
“It’s an honor and a privilege to lead our 36,000-plus employees, partners and their families. The ability to impact such a significant brand, and the ability to add value to our clients, is incredible."
-Tim J. Walsh '92
Looking back on his four years at Scranton, Walsh has many fond memories, from the lifelong friendships he made with his fellow quad mates in McCourt and Fitch Halls, to the many exceptional professors he had, among them Brian Carpenter, Ph.D., Deborah Gougeon, Ph.D., and Daniel Mahoney, Ph.D. ’81, G’85.
“The business coursework was first-rate, as were the liberal arts classes, which rounded out my education and made me a better professional,” Walsh said.
Another highlight was leading the Society of Accounting Students his junior and senior years.
“The University had such a strong accounting program, and they just did an incredible job of getting students exposure to the big accounting firms, who would come to campus frequently,” Walsh said.
“It was obvious you had this opportunity, and the University made it easy for you to get connected to future opportunities. They provided me with the path.”
Walsh was hired by KPMG in the fall of 1992. Working out of the firm’s Stamford, Connecticut, office, he mostly did “a lot of photocopying, if I’m being honest,” he said with a laugh.
"The community of the university translated into lifelong friendships, from my freshman year in McCourt Hall onward. I’m still friends with those people 30-plus years later. What an incredible gift the University has provided to me.” -Tim J. Walsh '92
Despite those humble beginnings, plenty of opportunities would come his way. While the responsibilities have grown considerably, the core mission to serve the best interests of KPMG’s clients and employees has not changed, said Walsh, who splits his time between New York City and Providence, Rhode Island, with his husband, Jeff, and their Labrador retrievers, Murray and Eli.
“Did I feel prepared to become chair and CEO, and did I feel I had a vision and a strategy for the firm? Absolutely I did,” Walsh said. “And I think my experiences and my love of this firm, and the obligation I feel to lead it in the best direction I possibly can before I retire, gives me a lot of motivation.”
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