David Kessler, CPA, is the Chief Executive Officer of CohnReznick with responsibility for overseeing the strategic priorities, operations, people, and client service initiatives for the firm. In this capacity, he works with the Executive Board and other firm leaders to realize CohnReznick’s sense of purpose: creating opportunities for our people, making a difference for our clients, and strengthening our communities. David has over 30 years of experience providing audit, tax, and management advisory services to the real estate and financial services industries, representing clients nationally.

Before his election as CEO, David was Managing Partner – Real Estate Industry where he oversaw the firm’s largest practice group consisting of affordable housing, commercial real estate, construction, corporate real estate, and tax credit services. As a community development leader, David represented lenders, developers, syndicators, private equity funds, institutional investors such as life insurance companies and pension funds, asset management companies, property management companies, REITs, and loan funds. His work included assisting clients with a variety of tax incentives and credit programs including low-income housing tax credits, New Markets Tax Credits, historic tax credits, energy credits, and Opportunity Zones.

David designed and has taught a real estate accounting graduate-level course at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies and the University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation as part of each university’s graduate degree program in real estate development. He has been a frequent speaker at real estate industry conferences throughout the country.