Mark A. Paul.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Balance sheet - Titus managing director - Interview

Mark Paul took a hiatus from finance--a job he says that's hard to get his arms around--to work at rehabbing houses. He enjoys transforming beat-up, rundown houses into "gems." However, while satisfying to see and touch the completed project, working in finance can deliver a more predictable living. So he went back--to public accounting.

Title: Managing Director, Indiana Market

Company: Titus, a national consulting firm specializing in internal audit, accounting, tax and technology risk services, headquartered in Milwaukee.

Born: New Castle, Ind., Dec. 24, 1967

Spouse: Cara, married almost 12 years

Children: Maggie, 9; and Meredith, 8

Education: 1990, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington

Career Summary: Coopers & Lybrand, 1990-97, Manager; Bank One Mortgage, 1997-2000, Controller; Steak n Shake, 2000-01, Controller; Symons International Group, 2001-02, CFO; Interactive Motorsports and Entertainment, 2002-03, CFO; PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2004-05, Senior Manager; Titus, 2005-present.

Service: Treasurer, chapter, the Institute of Internal Auditors; Secretary, chapter, Insurance Accounting and Systems Association. Formerly treasurer of local non-profit groups, such as the Phoenix Theatre, a cutting-edge equity theatre group.

FEI Chapter: President-elect of the Indianapolis Chapter for 2007-08; currently Vice President of Programs. On the local board since 2003; joined FEI in 2002.

Leisure: Home renovation--I do my own plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile, hardwood flooring, etc. My retired father-in-law and I have a side business, and we try to rehab one or two houses a year for resale.

I also enjoy spending time with my wife and daughters hiking, biking, watching movies, taking vacations, etc. We have a family lake home in southern Indiana that we spend many summer weekends at boating, skiing, tubing, etc.

Time Management: I try to delegate as much of the administrative responsibilities to my office manager, since the most important activity for me is working on new business development. I believe that all real value is created outside the firm, so I work hard to get in front of clients and prospects as much as I can. I am a little addicted to my Blackberry, but I try not to use it much on the weekend; I need a little time to decompress.

Stress Management: A good cigar and a pint of Guinness always helps me unwind--especially around a...