Nick Ward, CPA

Co-Founder & Assurance Partner

Nick is a CPA with more than 7 years of experience performing audit and compliance related work over digital asset & blockchain companies. Nick has experience auditing public and private companies in the industry including Bitcoin mining operations and cryptocurrency exchanges. Nick assists clients with the complex tax and accounting issues that arise when dealing with bitcoin or other digital assets. Nick has worked with a wide range of clients which operated in the construction, non-profit and technology industries throughout his 10+ years in public accounting.

Nick serves as the treasurer and finance committee chair of a non-profit organization, Beat the Streets Cleveland. Beat the Streets Cleveland aims to improve the lives of at-risk youth by giving them access to mentorship and the sport of wrestling.

Areas of Focus

• Proof of Reserve Attestations

• Financial Statement Audits

Industry Firsts

• Launching the 1st real-time Proof of Reserve system for stablecoins and asset-backed tokens (2019)

• Executing the 1st-ever Merkle Tree Proof of Reserve engagement by a CPA Firm (2020)

• Reporting the 1st off-chain data on-chain via oracle networks by a CPA Firm (2022)

Industry Contributions

• Former The Digital Chamber (TDC) Accounting Taskforce Leader (2020-2023)

• Contributing Subject Matter Expert for Texas’ landmark Proof of Reserves legislation (2023)

Education, Credentials, and Affiliations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), licensed in OH and FL (Active)

• Certified Bitcoin Professional (Inactive)

• Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

• Member of Ohio Society of Certified Professional Accountants (OSCPA)

• Finance Chair & Treasurer, Beat the Streets Cleveland

• BS, Accounting, John Carroll University

Get in Touch with Nick

Connect on Linkedin | Email at Nick.Ward@TheNetworkFirm.com