Bennett Thrasher LLP, one of the largest full-service public accounting and consulting firms in the country, has promoted three directors to partner: Chris Frederick, Gina Miller and James Parks. They are directors in dispute, valuation and forensics; and international tax practices, respectively. With the addition of Frederick, Miller and Parks, Bennett Thrasher now has 41 partners.
“Frederick, Miller and Parks have each earned these partnerships through an outstanding display of their capabilities as directors in their respective practice areas. We look forward to the continued leadership and success they will bring as partners,” said Bennett Thrasher managing partner Jeff Eischeid.
Chris Frederick’s primary focus is in the insurance claims services group. He has extensive experience in the management of projects related to business interruption and extra expense, property damage, reported values, litigation support and forensic accounting. He has worked on projects in manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, telecommunications and legal matters, including testifying in Superior and Federal courts.
Frederick started his career at Matson, Driscoll and Damico, where he worked in Atlanta and Seattle specializing in loss accounting for adjusters and insurers. While there, he was responsible for office-related matters such as business development, project management and employee training. Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher, he spent six years at Navigant Consulting in Atlanta in its disputes and investigations practice, where he continued to hone his expertise in insurance claims matters.
“There are many factors to account for with regards to valuations of property damage and the degree to which that damage interrupts a business,” said Frederick. “Whether it’s a fire or an equipment breakdown that causes a business to close, our team is experienced in closely analyzing the situation to place an accurate monetary value on the damage and business loss in a timely manner.”
Frederick graduated from Clemson with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He is a CPA in Georgia and Washington, Certified in Financial Forensics and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Frederick is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) and the Washington Society of CPAs (WSCPA). He was recently chair of the DFK International Forensic Committee, an international network of CPA firms. He is also currently a Board Member of Sandy Springs Mission, a not-for-profit focused on helping youth in and near Atlanta.
Gina Miller has over twenty years of experience consulting on the valuation of equity interests in closely-held companies and leads Bennett Thrasher’s new Value Acceleration and Exit Planning practice, which provides a holistic approach to exit planning. She has conducted various types of valuations, such as estate and gift reporting, domestic litigation, financial reporting, acquisitions, buy-sell agreements and employee stock ownership plans. She has also prepared valuation analyses in many industries, including construction, healthcare, energy, banking, distribution, technology and business services.
In addition to working on valuations, Miller has provided litigation support for economic damage cases. She has also advised publicly traded companies on the values of intangible assets for purchase price allocations and impairment testing.
“Valuation has been the mainstay of my practice. The Value Acceleration and Exit Planning service is a natural extension of that practice. We work closely with business owners to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that focuses on maximizing the value of their businesses upon exit,” says Miller.
Miller earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Truman University and went on to earn an MBA from Southern Illinois University. She is a CPA in Georgia and is certified in Financial Forensics. In addition, she is an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor with the Exit Planning Institute. Miller is a member of the GSCPA and is a leader as a member of the GSCPA’s Educational Foundation and its Leadership Council. She is also active in the community and serves as a member of the Sandy Springs Conservancy and as treasurer on the board of the Sandy Springs Tennis Association, a nonprofit that brings tennis to underserved youth.
James Parks has more than ten years of public and industry experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 to mid-sized privately held companies operating in various industries. Before joining Bennett Thrasher, he worked in Deloitte Tax’s international practice assisting U.S. and foreign-based multinationals on cross-border tax planning and compliance matters. He also worked at Koch Industries as head of the foreign position team, where he oversaw the development, implementation and management of global tax strategies.
“Because of the four years I spent working in the private sector, I have a deep understanding of the client’s viewpoint and am able to weigh tax strategy with other business factors in order to provide solid tax planning recommendations. With recent tax reform, we can advise our clients on new business and flexible investment opportunities that will position them to increase value from both a tax and business perspective,” said Parks.
In addition, Parks understands tax planning issues facing corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. He has experience with ASC740 income tax provision preparation and international review, which outlines financial accounting and reporting standards for the impact of income taxes resulting from a company’s activities during the current and future years.
Parks received his Bachelor of Arts in accounting and minors in economics and business administration from Oglethorpe University. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor cum laude from University of Mississippi School of Law. He’s a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is part of the administrative, business, international, legal economics and taxation law sections. Parks is also a member of the American Bar Association, including the business, international and taxation law sections and a member of the International Fiscal Association.
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 today has a dedicated, experienced team of partners and associates who believe in creating value by working “Better Together.”
