UVAFinance Welcomes JJ Sullivan as Director of Financial Compliance

The Sullivans

James Joseph (JJ) Sullivan recently joined the UVAFinance Team in June as the Director of Financial Compliance. With a robust background as a CPA and extensive experience as a Director of Health System Audits, he brings years of expertise in finance, dedicated to making a positive impact in his field.

Sullivan is originally from New Jersey, but ventured to Virginia Tech for college, where he received his degree in accounting. After college, he started working with BDO, a public accounting firm in Richmond, where he was able to truly hone his accounting skills. Sullivan moved to Charlottesville in 2010, and in 2012 he officially joined the UVA family (despite his hokie roots). He worked as Director of Health System Audits in 2016, and continued his audit work within UVA Health throughout 2020, until his decision to join UVAFinance. 

Sullivan's desire to join the UVAFinance team was driven by the opportunity his new role would have. As Director of Financial Compliance, Sullivan is excited to have the chance to develop, build, and grow the position. Additionally, he takes on an entrepreneurial stance with regard to his new role with UVAFinance. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to put my stamp on this position," he says, excitedly confirming the personal approach he'll bring to the job. Sullivan also notes that he has truly enjoyed working with the people at UVAFinance in the past, who have been very welcoming and fun to work with. 

Sullivan's interest in finance started when he was younger, when he realized his aptitude for the numbers and operations that went into financial strategies. He enjoyed coming up with solutions to these problems, and solving them "like a puzzle." 

As Director of Financial Compliance, Sullivan's focuses will include assisting in streamlining and improving processes, ensuring compliance with requirements and industry standards, and collaborating with different teams within UVAFinance in order to strengthen internal controls. 

Sullivan and his wife, Jessi, have a seven and a half ("he won't let you cheat him on that half!") year old son, Gabe. Jessi is a passionate winemaker at Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fishersville. At the moment, Gabe is very interested in any and all sports, but especially lacrosse. The Sullivans also recently adopted an adorable golden retriever puppy into their family, who adds plenty of excitement to the mix.