BDO Seidman has announced that Ben Neuhausen, the firm’s national director of accounting, has passed away after a prolonged illness. Neuhausen, who was a leading voice in the accounting industry’s standard setting process, died July 31 in Chicago at the age of 59.

“All of us at BDO Seidman are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague, Ben Neuhausen,” said Jack Weisbaum, CEO of BDO Seidman. “His technical knowledge and high ethical standards were a very valuable resource to our firm. In a time of increasing complexity, Ben was the voice of clarity and common sense. One of our most respected partners, his high professional standards served as a beacon for all of our professionals to follow.”

As BDO Seidman’s national director of accounting, Neuhausen was involved with numerous complex accounting issues and served as the firm’s chief commentator on proposed accounting standards by the various regulatory bodies. A former chairman of the AICPA’s Accounting Standards Executive Committee, Neuhausen was a staunch advocate for the profession and a leading voice in formulating the accounting guidance ultimately adopted by standard setters and regulators. During his eleven year tenure on the AcSEC, he led the committee in its transition from a standard setter into a provider of useful accounting guidance for various industries.

Earlier this year, Neuhausen was presented with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to standard setting in the profession.