About
Foundational Principles In the Community Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Technical Excellence Alumni TIAG Membership
Careers
Why Cohen & Company Our Culture Total Rewards & Benefits Intern & Entry Level Opportunities Experienced Opportunities
Contact
Akron, OH Baltimore, MD Chicago, IL Cleveland, OH Detroit, MI Milwaukee, WI New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA St. Clair Shores, MI Youngstown, OH
Client Portal
Services Industries Knowledge Center People

About Our Services

We offer tailored solutions — whether private company or owner; public or private fund, adviser or fund service provider; or Fortune 1000 enterprise. Learn how we can help you.

Learn More

Assurance Services

Employee Benefit Plan Audits Internal Controls Investment Company Audits Private Company Audits SOC Readiness & Compliance

Tax Services

Federal Tax Planning & Compliance High Net Worth & Wealth Transfer International Filings & Structuring Investment Company Tax State & Local Tax Tax Credits & Incentives Transaction Tax Planning

Advisory Services

Business Valuations Data & Insights Digital Finance Solutions IT Strategy & Implementation M&A Advisory Outsourced Accounting Solutions Risk Assurance & Advisory Transaction Services Turnaround & Restructuring

Our Industry Expertise

Our industry experience means you can find professionals who speak your language and bring earned insights to the table. Learn how we can help you.

Learn More

Key Industries

Digital Assets Investment Companies Manufacturing Private Companies Private Equity Real Estate & Construction Technology & Life Science
VIEW THE COMPLETE LIST

Knowledge Center

Our team wants to help your team stay up to date. Browse our thought leadership, events and news for insights and a point of view on business-critical topics.

Learn More

Insights

Browse valuable articles and publications our experts have written to help you and your organization answer key questions — and consider new ones.

Read Our Insights

Events

Join us in person and online for events that address timely topics and key business considerations.

Explore Our Events

News

Find out what is happening at Cohen & Company, from industry recognitions and growth updates, to where we are contributing to important media stories.

Read Our News
People
Foundational Principles In the Community Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Technical Excellence Alumni TIAG Membership
Why Cohen & Company Our Culture Total Rewards & Benefits Intern & Entry Level Opportunities Experienced Opportunities
Akron, OH Baltimore, MD Chicago, IL Cleveland, OH Detroit, MI Milwaukee, WI New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA St. Clair Shores, MI Youngstown, OH
Client Portal
Back to People

Syed Farooq, CPA

Director, Assurance

Contact Information

Chicago, IL
sfarooq@cohencpa.com
312.277.7213
  • Alternative Investment Funds
  • Assurance Services
  • Investment Company Audits
  • Mutual Funds
  • Private Equity
  • Registered Investment Advisers
  • SOC Readiness & Compliance

Syed takes a personal approach to serving clients — using in-person interactions, video conferences and phone calls as much as possible to communicate. Always a true professional, he begins each engagement by laying out clear expectations and a detailed timeline for the project at hand. Syed follows through by frequently checking in to ensure not only an effective and efficient audit but also a great overall client experience.

Syed serves a variety of investment industry audit clients, including closed-end interval and tender offer funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, commodity pools, business development companies, funds-of-funds and private equity funds. He also has experience with asset managers, public companies and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 internal controls. In addition to working at two national public accounting firms, Syed served as the assistant controller for a registered investment adviser with assets under management in excess of $200 billion. In that role, he led his team in corporate financial planning and analysis, risk reporting, annual business plan preparation, budgeting and forecasting and board book preparation.

  • Actively involved in training and mentoring for the firm’s Assurance Practice; assists with recruiting and college campus events for the firm’s Chicago office
  • Author and contributor for the firm’s investment industry thought leadership
  • Illinois CPA Society
  • American Institute of CPAs

Syed lives in Naperville, Illinois, with his wife and three kids. When he’s not involved with his kids’ activities, Syed enjoys biking, hiking, and playing basketball and badminton. Hiking with his friends at Yosemite National Park is one of his favorite trips to date.

Credentials & Education

  • Certified Public Accountant (Illinois)
  • B.S. in accountancy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Thought Leadership

October 28, 2022

Retail Investors Listen Up: The SEC Adopts Rules That Will Require Improved and Transparent Shareholder Reports and Disclosures That Should Benefit You

Read More

December 9, 2020

Half a Century Later, the SEC Modernizes its Fund Valuation Practices Framework

Read More

October 28, 2020

SEC Modernizes Auditor Independence Rules

Read More
View more
Subscribe to our newsletter
About Contact Submit RFP Privacy Policy
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
© 2023 Cohen & Company