News

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Gerald (Jerry) Hepp, CPA, recently passed away at the age of 86.  We believe it is right and proper to share a brief remembrance of Jerry and his enormous contributions to Public Accounting Profession in America as well as to the firm of Plante & Moran LLP.  Jerry was a member of the AICPA and MICPA for his entire career and served as an accomplished professional and devoted volunteer to significantly impact the evolution of the profession.

A graduate of University of Detroit (BSBA) and Wayne State University (MBA), Jerry joined Plante & Moran in 1958.  His obvious abilities in Accounting Standards and all things technical moved him into what was at that time called the review department at the firm. Jerry quickly became a partner in the firm to oversee the quality of all technical work and mentored and developed countless members of the firm and throughout the profession as his reputation for solving complex reporting issues grew.  He was Partner in Charge of Professional Standards at Plante & Moran from 1967 to 1995 and Partner in Charge of Litigation and Valuation Services from 1992 to his retirement in 1998, although Jerry continued to perform work for firm clients as a retired partner for many years following his retirement.

Concurrently, as Jerry’s expertise became apparent within the profession and to the American Institute of CPAs, he was recruited by the profession to fill national volunteer board and committee positions for over 20 years where Jerry played important roles in establishing and monitoring adherence to professional standards.  He provided leadership to the entire profession through his service on the AICPA Board of Directors, the Auditing Standards Board, Financial Reporting Executive Committee, Professional Practice Executive Committee, the State and Local Government Committee, SECPS Review Committee, and the Joint Trial Board, among others.

Jerry’s work in litigation support also allowed him to leverage his technical abilities in the defense of public accounting firms and to help resolve countless business disputes as an expert witness.  Later in his career, based on his reputation and experience, Jerry became Qualified Arbitrator and Mediator in legal disputes, as he sought to find a better way for businesses to resolve legal disputes.    

With his five surviving children, 17 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his many professional colleagues and friends, we join in mourning his death and we pay tribute for his gifts to the Profession and Plante & Moran.