ATLANTA | May 7, 2025– Bennett Thrasher, a Top 75 accounting and advisory firm based in Atlanta, continues to chart its own course—choosing independence over private equity funding despite a growing trend across the profession. “Our firm has been doing quite well,” said Jeff Call, Managing Partner and CEO. “We grew double digits in total revenue last year, about 11% total. … We’ve been able to attract a lot of good talent, so we don’t feel like we’re really constrained in that way.”
While private equity investment has reshaped parts of the accounting landscape, Bennett Thrasher remains committed to its partner-funded model.
“I do get a lot of phone calls,” Call said. “We’ve told them that we’re fiercely independent, and we don’t intend to take outside capital at this point. … Our overall mindset is around ‘people first,’ and we have concerns that private equity might make it very difficult to retain the substantial culture that we think we’re building here.”
That people-first philosophy, Call noted, has helped the firm attract professionals who value culture over short-term liquidity. “A couple people were at companies that took private equity money, and they were somewhat disenchanted as to what that did to their culture,” he said. “That has allowed us to attract some high-quality partners and below-partner-level people.”
Some clients have expressed similar preferences. “We have seen that a little bit, where some of the clients want to deal with a company that’s kind of independently owned by the partners versus private equity,” said Call. “There’s probably a slight bit of distrust toward private equity … it has created an opportunity for us to pick up some high-quality clients that might have been disenchanted with substantial fee increases.”
Call emphasized that client experience remains the firm’s top priority. “It’s just delivering very high quality, consistent, five-star client services to our clients every day, day in and day out,” he said. “Some of the private equity-backed firms … trying to run fast to grow revenue and cut costs … sometimes client service may fall by the wayside.”
Beyond its growth philosophy, Bennett Thrasher continues to advise clients on complex issues such as tariffs and tax legislation. “Tariffs are a huge issue,” said Call, highlighting work led by the firm’s international tax and transfer pricing teams to help clients navigate classifications, exemptions, and supply-chain strategies amid shifting trade policies.
The firm is also monitoring developments surrounding federal tax reform. “If they don’t extend the bill, especially business owners, they can have some decent-sized tax increases,” Call noted. “It’s definitely something that we’re trying to keep an eye on for them.”
Bennett Thrasher continues to strengthen its industry specialization and invest heavily in training and technology. “Each of our employees has a pretty decent-sized budget for their continuing education,” said Call. “We’ve also made big investments in training around all the different services we can offer to clients.”
On the technology front, the firm is integrating artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Copilot to improve efficiency and expand advisory capacity. “Automation or AI tools help … so they can spend more of their time focused on being true trusted advisors,” Call said.
With offices in Dallas and Denver, Bennett Thrasher continues to pursue strategic expansion aligned with its cultural values. “We are open and looking for opportunities to continue to grow those offices at a faster rate,” said Call. “We always say culture trumps growth. … We think both those offices can be probably two to four times the size they are today over the next five years.”
About Bennett Thrasher
For more than four decades, Bennett Thrasher has provided businesses and individuals with strategic business guidance and solutions through professional tax, audit, advisory and outsourcing services. Our bold curiosity is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re a client or an associate, we help transform your vision into unprecedented success. Our approach has catapulted us into the ranks of the largest and fastest growing public accounting and advisory firms. Bennett Thrasher operates globally from our headquarters in Atlanta and is committed to diversity and the communities we serve. To learn more about Bennett Thrasher, visit us at www.btcpa.net.
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