Grant Thornton names Charlotte exec to lead new practice

Ilieva Ageenko

Chicago-based accounting firm Grant Thornton said Tuesday it has launched a new practice that will advise financial services companies and be led by an executive in Charlotte.

The Financial Services Advisory Model Risk Management practice will help clients identify and manage risks associated with financial and economic models, Grant Thornton said. The company said it has hired Ilieva Ageenko, who previously worked for Bank of America in Charlotte, to lead the practice.

As an executive with Bank of America, Ageenko's work included loss forecasting in connection with the Federal Reserve's annual evaluation of how banks would fare in an economic downturn and their plans to return capital to shareholders.

Grant Thornton employs roughly 288 people in the Charlotte region.

Earlier this year, the privately held firm announced the promotion of Mike McGuire, its Charlotte-based chief operating officer, to CEO.