Michael C. Speer, CPA

Michael Speer is an Expert Commentator for the IRMI.com time element series, which provides articles on practical and topical ideas on how a risk manager or insurance professional can better understand the business interruption claims process and the challenges faced with such claims.

Mr. Speer has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and consulting firms. He is with the Chicago office of Grant Thorton LLP, where he provides property insurance, business interruption, and FEMA claim support services to policyholders. He also provides general forensic accounting and litigation support services.

Mr. Speer has been involved with the analysis of complex business interruption claims, the investigation of fraud/employee dishonesty, and analytical analysis and review of economic damage claims. He has represented major law firms, policy holders, and insurers on a variety of matters and also has expertise in financial and operations consulting, internal control reviews, budgeting and forecasting, and economic feasibility studies.

Mr. Speer is a Certified Public Accountant and received his BS in accounting from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. He also took graduate courses in the MBA program at DePaul University in Chicago.

Articles on IRMI.com

Time Element

Business Interruption Losses in Economic Downturn (August 2011)

Nonprofits: A Guide to Recovering from Catastrophic Losses (March 2011)

Business Interruption Claims for the Hospitality Industry—Is Your Hotel Protected? (September 2010)

Property and Business Interruption Claims: What If We Don't Rebuild "As Was"? (February 2010)

Business Interruption—Is It Time for a Checkup? (November 2009)