Bennett Thrasher LLP is pleased to announce the election of six firm professionals to its partnership, effective July 1, 2019. The six represents Bennett Thrasher’s largest new partner class ever and includes individuals from six different practice areas: Financial Reporting and Assurance, International Personal Financial Services, Real Estate Hospitality Tax, Risk Advisory, State and Local Tax and Transaction Advisory Services. Bennett Thrasher will now have 47 partners.
“We are proud that these outstanding professionals are joining our partnership,” said Jeff Eischeid, managing partner of Bennett Thrasher. “This milestone is indicative of our significant growth and our firm’s commitment to professional development. Each new partner has proven themselves through their dedication to providing superior client service and through an outstanding display of technical ability, leadership and commitment to the firm’s core values.”
The six professionals being promoted to partner include:
- Stephen Bradshaw, State & Local Tax
- Bridget Dunk, International Personal Financial Services
- Brian Hamm, Financial Reporting & Assurance
- Mike Hostinsky, Risk Advisory Services
- Kelly Smith, Real Estate Hospitality Tax
- Vijay Vaswani, Transaction Advisory Services
Stephen Bradshaw, CPA, of the firm’s State & Local Tax (SALT) practice, advises technology and fast-growth companies on sales and use tax issues, income and franchise tax matters, and state and local tax credits and incentives. Additionally, he provides SALT due diligence service in connection with merger and acquisition transactions.
Bradshaw chairs the SALT Committee of DFK International, a worldwide association of independent accounting, tax and business advisory firms. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Taxation degree from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.
Bridget Dunk, CPA, of the firm’s International Personal Financial Services Tax practice, specializes in income tax, estate tax and wealth planning services to individuals and closely-held businesses with cross-border considerations. She has significant experience consulting on global mobility issues and on tax compliance for US and non-US persons and entities.
Active in the community, Dunk previously co-founded two non-profits and hosts Life Lessons Over Lunch, a workplace initiative where co-workers gather to watch engaging and uplifting messages. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis.
Brian Hamm, CPA, of the firm’s Financial Reporting & Assurance department, has more than fifteen years of experience advising clients on due diligence and financial statement audits for clients ranging from start-ups to multinational companies. Hamm serves as co-leader of Bennett Thrasher’s technology industry segment, and his additional industry experience includes hospitality, pharmaceutical, healthcare and service-oriented companies.
He earned his bachelor’s degree and a Master of Accountancy degree from Auburn University.
Mike Hostinsky, CIA, CISA, leads the firm’s Risk Advisory Services practice and has more than 15 years of experience in risk management and business consulting. Hostinsky evaluates interrelationships between technology, operations and finance, to provide business insights that promote effective internal controls, process efficiencies and operational effectiveness. He has a specialized focus on IT and business risk consulting, internal audit services, and System and Organization Controls (SOC) reporting.
Hostinsky is an active member of the Atlanta chapters of the Institute of Internal Auditors and ISACA. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
Kelly Smith, CPA, of the firm’s Real Estate Hospitality tax practice, focuses on complex tax consulting and compliance for both domestic and foreign-owned companies within the commercial real estate industry. She has extensive experience advising foreign real estate developers on U.S. investments and transactions. Her additional industry expertise includes restaurant companies.
Smith co-leads tax training at Bennett Thrasher. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and a Master of Taxation degree from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.
Vijay Vaswani, CPA, leads the firm’s Transaction Advisory Services practice. Vaswani specializes in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for private equity firms and strategic investors in a range of industries including healthcare and technology. He is well-versed in navigating the complexities at every stage of the deal process.
Vaswani is a Board Member of the BT Foundation, serving on the grants committee and as chair of the communications committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Warrington College of Business at University of Florida.
About Bennett Thrasher LLP
Bennett Thrasher LLP is one of the country’s largest full-service certified public accounting and consulting firms. The firm creates significant value and a unique positive experience through collaboration – with and between clients, partners, associates and the community. Founded in 1980 by Rick Bennett and Ken Thrasher, Bennett Thrasher has a dedicated, experienced team of partners and associates who believe in creating value by working “Better Together.”
