James E. Short
James E. Short
Chief Operating Officer
As Acuity's Chief Operating Officer (COO), James E. Short is responsible for procuring and directing Acuity’s audit engagements in both the federal and commercial sectors. He also supports the evaluation and reporting of agencies' systems and methodologies for compliance with various directives and accounting standards. Additionally, he provides policy guidance to federal agencies on how to compile financial statements in preparation for financial statement audits.
Mr. Short takes on the role of COO after serving in a variety of leadership capacities at Acuity, including as Director of Business Development, Vice President of Audit and Assurance, and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Prior to Acuity, Mr. Short spent nearly 30 years in federal financial management community, most recently as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). He spent eight years as a key member of the Senior Executive Service. He also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Operations) to the Assistant Secretary for Financial Management and Comptroller, the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Operations / Technology), and Senior Policy Analyst for Government-wide Accounting, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Short was formerly the principal adviser to the Assistant Secretary and the Air Force senior staff on issues regarding the amended Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and related financial management reforms. In addition, he was instrumental in assuring Air Force compliance with financial management mandates leading to the effective and efficient use of resources.
Mr. Short holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Strayer University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Defense Financial Manager, Certified Government Financial Manager, and Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Greater Washington Society of CPAs, National Association of Black Accountants, Association of Government Accountants, American Society of Military Comptrollers, National Contract Management Association, National Defense Industrial Association, and The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association.