William Fuessler ’79

Member of Adelphi University’s Profiles in Success program.

Partner, IBM Global Business Services

Accounting Can Take You Anywhere

For Bill Fuessler ’79, a background in accounting has broadened his perspective on the global marketplace. After many years of working for several “Big Four” firms, and clients with national and international prominence, he sees several trends with big implications for America’s economy.

“I think within the next few decades we’ll really see economies of expertise rise around the globe,” he says. “Practically all of our clients outsource labor – most often tech support and customer service to India, China, the Philippines and Eastern Europe.”

“Eventually, different countries and parts of the world will develop core competencies and expertise in all different fields and become the hubs for these skills both in technology and other areas, including manufacturing, financial services, and engineering.”

With clients including Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley, Mr. Fuessler has a solid handle on the movements of big business. In his role as the director of IBM’s North American Financial Services Financial Management Business Consulting Services, he and his team help firms with finance transformation including business performance management, business risk management, process improvement, and the implementation of new financial systems.

Mr. Fuessler is currently also working with the largest bank in Turkey, and enjoys the opportunity to see how different cultures manifest themselves in business and social interactions.

“Its amazing how subtle differences in the things we say can have a tremendous impact and different meanings in cultures throughout the world,” he says.

Mr. Fuessler joined IBM as a partner when it bought PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ consulting division in 2002. Prior to that, he was with Ernst & Young, and served as the chief financial assistant in the Office of the Chairman at Empire Blue Cross from 1990 to 1992. He spent the first seven years of his career with Peat Marwick (later part of KPMG).

At Adelphi, Mr. Fuessler was president of delta mu delta, the business honors society, and president of the Business Council. He was also a member of the Accounting Honors Society.  He has fond memories of selling coffee in the busy hallways of the business school to raise money for the council’s social events, and working with fellow students to honor successful alumni.

Mr. Fuessler lives Wantagh, New York with his family. In his spare time, he enjoys participating in sports and traveling.