Brandon Loeschner saw a chance to be more than a faceless numbers-cruncher when he joined RubinBrown, the accounting firm where he is a partner in the National Practice Leader-Gaming Services Group.
The organization is rich with history and entrepreneurship, he says. “I’ve been able to meet the founders, work with their sons and have an opportunity to be a part of the next generation of leadership working on the evolution of the firm’s national expansion. Where else can you get those opportunities?”
Born in Highland, Illinois and raised in Ferguson, Missouri, Loeschner joined the firm in 2001, after graduating from Maryville University of Saint Louis with a B.S. in accounting.
He saw dynamic changes coming, with gaming expansions, new technology, server-based gaming, CMS innovations and iGaming. Add the recent proliferation of sports betting throughout the U.S. to the mix. He and his partner Daniel Holmes started the gaming services group in 2013.
“As a certified systems information auditor and CPA, the crossroads of information technology and accounting are where I enjoy work, and the gaming industry is in that sweet spot for me,” he says.
He hustles and grinds every day to build the brand. “You don’t get to wake up and say, ‘I want to build a national practice in the gaming industry,’ and it just happens,” says Loeschner, who likes to cook with his wife, Laurie, for relaxation, and enjoys the couple’s increasingly rare getaways.
Loeschner’s job includes taking care of current clients, expanding relationships with new clients and developing a specialized team. “I bring specific experience with gaming compliance that includes adjusted gross receipt audits, financial statement audits, minimal internal control standards and system assurance for sports gaming applications,” he says.
This spring, Loeschner dealt with the unexpected impact of Covid-19.
“Casinos were closed and sports were canceled, all of which affected my clients in unprecedented ways. The brick-and-mortar clients were impacted the hardest with the state-mandated closings.”
Working with executives of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association, of which he is a member, “has helped me better understand these issues,” he says.
Early in his career, Loeschner had to deliver a challenging message, a task that did not go well. “I learned a lot about organizational behavior, the power of stories, preparation, perspectives and perseverance. It was a pivotal time for me and forced me to take a hard look at myself and my goals. I was lucky to work with leaders and mentors through this obstacle,” says Loeschner, who plays in a men’s basketball league to unwind.
Loeschner has had positive relationships with several mentors, particularly Matt Rogers, former athletic coach at Maryville; Chelle Adams, chief financial officer at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; Michael T. Lewis, CEO of MTL Consultants; and Bryan Keller, partner-in-charge of the Real Estate Services Group at RubinBrown.
“All have had a major impact on my personal and professional life,” he says. “Each of them is good at challenging me to be better. Their lessons will stick with me until I retire.”
At some point, Loeschner may mentor someone coming up. He has his own words of advice.
“Invest in yourself with experiences outside of finance and the industry. Many of the most innovative ideas I have brought to clients originated from experiences outside of my role at RubinBrown.”
