BerryDunn Announces New CEO and Managing Principal

BerryDunn, a full-service assurance, tax, and consulting firm headquartered in Portland and with offices in NH, named Sarah L. Belliveau its next CEO and managing principal.  

Belliveau, who currently leads the firm’s Not-for-Profit Practice, was selected after a rigorous internal process shepherded by an 11-member internal Selection Committee and an outside consultant that began in July 2020.  

Belliveau succeeds John Chandler, who has led the firm since 1999. As part of BerryDunn’s succession and continuity plan, Chandler will stay on and will be helping Belliveau and the new leadership team’s transition. He will also focus on client work and strategic projects to grow the firm.  

“I’m thrilled to introduce Sarah as my successor and confident she will lead our firm extraordinarily well,” said Chandler. “Sarah brings a firm-wide perspective to the job. Her intimate knowledge of our culture, coupled with decades of experience in direct client service, team development, and collaboration with our diverse practice groups makes her an ideal fit. She’s also just a great person.” 

Belliveau thanked Chandler for his steadfast leadership through the transition and throughout his tenure as CEO, and for cultivating an entrepreneurial culture where future leaders can thrive. 

“BerryDunn has afforded me so many opportunities for growth and development. I look forward to creating the same opportunities for others in my new role as CEO,” Belliveau said. “Our firm’s founders established an entrepreneurial culture without sacrificing a genuine respect, care, and concern for all employees. Their vision and values have propelled us to a place where our clients are true firm promoters. As our firm embarks on its third generation of leadership together, we’ll continue to be the dynamic group our clients and community have come to expect.”  

BerryDunn is a full-service assurance, tax, and consulting firm providing financial and business expertise to clients nationwide. With more than 600 employees, BerryDunn is the largest accounting firm headquartered in New England, with offices in six states, and was named the seventh-fastest growing firm in the country by Accounting Today. Learn more at berrydunn.com.