Kelly Schindler

Executive summary

Kelly Schindler is the national managing principal of Manufacturing at Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and an Audit & Assurance partner at Grant Thornton LLP. In her leadership role, she oversees the growth and operations of the firm’s Manufacturing industry, which encompass a full range of audit, assurance, tax, and advisory services. She also regularly visits domestic and international offices to meet with manufacturing clients and prospects, providing industry insights, identifying solutions to client challenges, and fostering connections between manufacturing companies to share best practices and network.

Kelly has been with Grant Thornton since 2011 and has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting. Before joining Grant Thornton, Kelly was a senior manager at another large professional services firm, where she managed several domestic and international public and private company engagements. She also worked overseas during the rollout of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and led global trainings on how to implement effective inventory cycle counts at large, international companies.

Kelly plays a key role in educating the firm's professionals on the latest industry developments, including tax regulations, international business practices, workforce dynamics, and supply chain management. Kelly is also a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers, where she works to bolster the association’s leadership in policy advocacy, legal action, workforce solutions and operational excellence.

Kelly is a CPA in Missouri and Iowa and a member of the AICPA. She is also a member of Women in Manufacturing, both locally and nationally, and serves on Missouri State University’s Advisory Board.

Sector experience

Kelly has extensive audit experience, and has also completed a long-term rotation with the firm's National practice as a revenue recognition technical accounting specialist, as well as an international rotation with a previous Big 4 firm. These rotations have given her deep expertise in complex revenue recognition and contracting, including guiding companies through the implementation of the new revenue standard.

Additionally, Kelly's international experience, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, allows her to understand and empathize with the challenges and cultural considerations faced by global businesses.

Community involvement

• Member of the St. Louis Forum – Women Leaders' organization   
• Advisory Board member for the Missouri State University School of Accountancy
• Board member, National Association of Manufacturers 

Presentations and publications

Explore more of Kelly's published white papers and thought leadership materials here.

Education

• Kelly graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting as well as minors and emphasis in music, anthropology, and economics