About Us
Meet our collaborative and supportive team.
Our Team Comes Together on Every Project to Ensure our Clients Get the Very Best Result
As an experienced Certified Public Accountant, Vanessa Burke is passionate about empowering others. Her purpose is realized through “acts of service,” leading her to establish a consulting practice and build a highly skilled team that prioritizes helping individuals and organizations attain their objectives with confidence and ease, placing priority on people over profits. With over three decades of experience in public sector and not-for-profit auditing, accounting, consulting, and finance, Vanessa has developed the expertise and insight to not only lead a team through complex projects but to help guide your business to the next level.
She has been privileged to serve clients across a wide range of industries, from small local governments to large-scale insurance companies, not-for-profits, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing and distribution, as well as government entities. Throughout her career, she has held executive leadership positions as both CFO and Controller, tackling financial restructurings, turnarounds, municipal bankruptcies, and distressed municipalities. Her vast experience and trusted advisory status make her well-equipped to address complex issues affecting government and businesses alike.
Her successful professional journey was established and grounded with large National firms, including Grant Thornton LLP, Moss Adams LLP, and PricewaterhouseCoopers where she specialized in government and not-for-profit auditing, accounting, and consulting. In 2012, she was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Stockton, overseeing a team of nearly 100 employees in her department, successfully navigating the City’s chapter 9 bankruptcy and testifying on trial during the bankruptcy hearings.
As a frequently sought-after speaker, she has presented on a variety of technical and non-technical topics for the ASCPA, CalCPA, Women in Public Finance, CSU, San Francisco, Santa Clara University, CSMFO, League of California Cities, and Beta Alpha Psi. Licensed as a CPA in the State of California (#67673), her commitment to service and leadership is evident throughout her distinguished career and accomplishments.
Russ Branson is the founder of Russ Branson Consulting. Russ works with local governments and special districts addressing difficult financial issues facing municipal governments today. Russ has developed budget forecasting models, performed financial condition analysis, and evaluated fees and special tax districts for his city, county, and special district clients. Prior to starting his own firm, Russ was a Director for Public Financial Management (PFM) responsible for overseeing a range of services including the development of long-range financial plans, ensuring sustainable financial health, and optimizing municipal performance.
Russ spent 13½ years with the City of Roseville, California in financial leadership positions, including Assistant City Manager and Treasurer, overseeing Finance and Administrative Services. The City of Roseville is a full-service City which also has electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities.
Before joining the City of Roseville, Russ was a principal with Economic and Planning Systems (EPS), an urban economics consultancy, where he spent more than a decade providing clients with services including impact fee studies, infrastructure financing plans, and the establishment of special taxing districts. He spent the early years of his career with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
As a seasoned leader in both public and private sectors, Matt has navigated a diverse array of industries, cultivating a multifaceted portfolio of responsibilities. His expertise spans from the early days of pre-Windows technology to contemporary innovations, including Artificial Intelligence, Block-Chain, and Business Intelligence. This positions him as a versatile generalist adept at guiding organizations and individuals in structuring and optimizing diverse initiatives, with a keen eye for synergistic opportunities.
With over three decades of high-level experience in leadership and consulting roles, he has had the honor of collaborating with a diverse range of clients. This spectrum includes small local firms, government bodies, sprawling corporations, vibrant start-ups, non-profits, and consumer packaged goods companies, along with various service industries and SLED government entities of all sizes. His career has seen him in pivotal roles such as CEO, COO, VP of Product Development, and Director of IT. He has steered businesses and technology through significant restructurings, led project revivals, and managed large-scale technology implementations exceeding $170 million. This vast experience cements his status as a trusted advisor, fully equipped to tackle intricate issues in government and business landscapes.
From the Desk of our Managing Principal: BCG’s Mission and Vision
At Burke Consulting Group, PLLC, our mission is to deliver unparalleled technical services, leveraging extensive expertise and experience, to empower government and not-for-profit organizations to thrive in the dynamic and fast-paced contemporary environment. We are dedicated to providing effective and efficient solutions that not only address current challenges but also equip our clients to navigate the ever-changing landscape with resilience and foresight.
As pioneers in our field, Burke Consulting Group envisions a future where government and not-for-profit entities excel with the same agility as Fortune 500 companies, despite operating within constrained budgets. Our vision is to be the forefront provider of innovative solutions, challenging the conventional belief that these organizations can’t be nimble. We strive to redefine industry standards by offering highly skilled and experienced professionals without the burden of traditional high overhead costs.
Through our commitment to unmatched qualifications and depth of expertise, we aim to set a new benchmark, ensuring that our clients receive the highest caliber services in federal, state, and local government auditing, accounting, consulting, planning, budgeting, and debt and treasury functions.
Together, we aspire to exceed expectations and drive positive transformations in the sectors we serve.
Vanessa Burke
Managing Principal at Burke Consulting Group
Guided by Integrity, Driven by Excellence
TESTIMONIALS
“Vanessa Burke is on top of her game when it comes to understanding municipal finance.”
Senior Counsel