Bennett Thrasher LLP, one of the largest full-service public accounting and consulting firms in the country, has promoted to partner: Townsell G. “Tigger” Marshall III, in the Personal Financial Services practice, and Jennings P. Pitts, in the Corporate Tax practice. The firm now has 38 partners.
“Tigger and Jennings have each proven themselves over a sustained number of years, both in their top-notch technical expertise and their outstanding client service,” Bennett Thrasher managing partner Jeff Eischeid said. “These are well-earned promotions that will help the firm to grow its business in each of their respective practice areas.”
Pitts joined Bennett Thrasher in 2004 and has more than 17 years of experience. He began his career in the Federal Tax group of KPMG and also held a tax position with a multinational corporation based in Atlanta. He has significant experience leading tax compliance and consulting engagements for large and middle market corporate clients, federal, evaluating state and local tax provisions, and structuring mergers and acquisitions to achieve maximum after-tax returns. He also has a broad knowledge of s-corporations, partnerships and individual taxation.
Pitts, whose father and two brothers are dentists, focuses on the dental and medical industries. “I have a background in the health-care industry because of my family’s history in it,” Pitts said. “I have lived it and that brings me credibility with clients. My goal is to bring strategic guidance to their practices. I have a wide variety of experience in a number of specific areas that affect their practices so I can help to advise them on a broad range of critical issues that they face.” Pitts also has experience working with clients in the technology industry, as well as in manufacturing/distribution.
Pitts graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Accountancy where he played varsity tennis and earned his Master of Accountancy from the University of Georgia with a focus on tax. He is a member of the Atlanta Tax Forum, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of CPAs.
Pitts is an active member of StoneBridge Church in Marietta, has served as treasurer of a local tennis association and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity through the Bennett Thrasher Foundation.
Marshall who joined Bennett Thrasher in 2011, began his career in the real estate practice at KPMG followed by World Tax Partners LLP where he provided tax consulting and compliance services for a wide range of real estate clients in the US and Europe.
Marshall is a member of the international segment of the Personal Financial Services practice which includes tax compliance, consulting, and planning for expatriates, nonresident aliens and U.S. persons with various cross-border taxation issues. These issues include reporting previously undisclosed foreign financial assets under the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP), domestic and foreign streamlined offshore procedures, FBAR compliance, foreign asset reporting, international estate planning, treaty analysis and expatriation analysis. He also works with corporations, s-corporations, partnerships and individuals in the real estate, construction and restaurant industries.
“We deal with clients on a global basis,” Marshall said. “Whether it is conducting business overseas, having a foreign bank, investment or retirement account, an ownership in a foreign corporation or partnership or simply owning a vacation home in a foreign country, as individuals or business entities cross the US border, the complexities of their tax issues are multiplied. These individuals and companies rely on the knowledge and expertise of professionals like the ones at Bennett Thrasher to guide them.”
Marshall played baseball at Duke University prior to transferring to the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Accountancy with a focus on tax. He is a member of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of CPAs.
Marshall is an active member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Buckhead and sits on the board of the Bennett Thrasher Foundation, where he chairs the foundation’s grants committee. He also serves on the board of the Andrew P. Stewart Center, a 100-year-old organization in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood that strives to promote strong communities through educational initiatives, spiritual enrichment opportunities and wellness resources. Tigger also serves as President of the East Side Baseball Association and is a youth baseball coach.
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.”
