James C. Bourke

Get to Know Me

Jim is a partner and the Managing Director of Withum’s Advisory Services practice, which includes professional consultants in the areas of management consulting, cyber and information security, business advisory, transaction/M&A advisory, risk advisory and SOC services. Jim has shown unwavering commitment to the firm throughout his entire professional journey, joining Withum in 1987, even before his college graduation, marking a long career dedicated to the organization’s growth and success.

Jim, and many of Withum’s advisory team members have earned the American Institute of CPAs (“AICPA”) credential, Certified Information Technology Professional (“CITP”). The CITP credential is the only credential offered by the accounting profession to individuals who have expressed a proficiency in information technology concepts as found in an extensive body of knowledge developed by the AICPA. Jim was one of the first CPAs in the nation to receive the designation, and he was also elected as Chair of the AICPA’s CITP Credentialing Committee.

Jim is frequently consulted by accounting firms worldwide to assist in building advisory and technology practices and to address technological challenges associated with growth and client service. 

Give Back 

Over the years, Jim has served on many professional boards and community-based organizations, serving in many roles from board member to finance committee member to treasurer to president/board chair. In addition, Jim has been very active in youth sports, coaching and managing baseball and soccer teams. 

Jim is a sought-after global speaker on all issues involving technology, the profession and business advisory. He has keynoted and presented at many global conferences around the world to many different industry groups. In addition, Jim is a well-respected leader in the accounting profession, having served as President of the New Jersey Society of CPA’s and on the board of directors for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. 

For 12 consecutive years, Jim has continuously made the “100 Most Influential People” list, in the profession’s premier publication, Accounting Today. Quoting the publication, “Holding a full-time job as a practicing partner and tech leader for a cutting-edge Top 100 Firm would be challenging enough for any normal person, but Bourke adds a punishing schedule of traveling, speaking, writing and otherwise sharing all the valuable practical insights he’s gleaned with the rest of the profession.” Jim is the only Partner of a CPA Firm nationwide who has been able to achieve such recognition for his expertise in technology. He’s been continually recognized by CPA Practice Advisor as one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders in the Accounting Profession. Additionally, Jim’s expertise and leadership continue to be acknowledged through prestigious accolades, landing on Forbes Best-in-State CPAs, Forbes America’s Top 200 CPAs list. Locally, he has been honored as a Leader in Finance by NJBIZ and also named to the ROI Influencers: Power List in 2023 and the 2022 and 2020 Editions of NJBIZ‘s Accounting Power 50 list.

Work Hard/Play Hard 

Jim lives the work hard, play hard lifestyle.  

He travels the world for work and pleasure and is obsessed with high-intensity training. Whether it’s a Warrior Beach Challenge, a Marathon rowing event, or a Hyrox event, he gives everything 110%. 

You can follow his travels and experiences on his Instagram.