Staford François has more than 15 years of experience providing audit services on financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. His clients include public and private entities in the alternative investment space.

Staford has extensive experience providing assurance services to hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds, management companies, registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, and 1940 Act Funds. He has a strong understanding of the application of SEC and CFTC rules and regulations for broker dealers and recently led the audits of a public real estate entity with total revenue over $0.8B and total assets of $7.4B.

Staford’s understanding of SEC processes related to Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) was instrumental in supporting a client with its successful launch of more than four such entities. He advises clients on private filings of their form S-1 registration, performs down to date audit procedures as part of the clients’ IPO, provides the underwriter with comfort letters, and reviews proxy statements to be filed by SPACs.

Staford’s experience also includes assisting clients with their continuous improvement over the implementation of COSO 2013 along with SOX 404 controls documentation. Before joining CohnReznick, he spent 13 years with a Big Four firm serving alternative and traditional asset managers. Staford is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California and Texas.