James (Jim) Ward brings 28 years of financial leadership to APCO as its Co-Chief Financial Officer. A specialist in finance, accounting, M&A, due diligence, entrepreneurship and strategy, Jim is a leader within global financial operations with a focus on scaling, streamlining and strengthening the business. He combines deep technical expertise with real-world experience across industries, from early-stage startups to global organizations.
When I left home for college, my parents were the dumbest people I had ever met. When I returned four years later I was amazed at how much they had learned.
— Mark Twain
Jim began his career at Arthur Andersen leaving as an audit manager in the technology practice before moving into corporate roles at Verisign and later in due diligence advisory at FTI Consulting and Pipaya Partners. He later co-founded M-Edge Accessories, growing it from a basement startup to a $40 million business in six years. He has since led financial initiatives at 3Pillar Global, and APCO — supporting acquisitions, financings, private equity transactions and internal transformations along the way.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia Tech and passed the CPA exam in 2000. Jim is known for his practical, people based approach and steady leadership.