BMSS Advisors & CPAs Proudly Announces the 2022 Promotions
Alabama’s second largest advisory CPA firm, BMSS Advisors & CPAs, is proud to share its newly promoted employees.
Heather Chappelle has been promoted to Director of Human Resources. A Birmingham native and Auburn University alumna, Heather has been with BMSS for four years and has practiced human resources for 15 years. In her role she leads the human resources team in exceptional hiring, onboarding and employee development experiences. She is also responsible for championing firmwide culture initiatives and helping BMSS maintain their decades’ long recognition as a best place to work.
Laura Watkins has been promoted to Director of Audience Development. A Mobile native and Auburn University alumna, Laura has been with BMSS for five years and has worked in marketing, public relations and business development for more than 15. In her role she leads the Audience Development team which is responsible for the firm’s marketing, business development, event management, public relations and Exceptional Client Experience initiatives. Laura is an active member of the Birmingham community serving as a board member for Lifeline Children’s Services, steering committee member for Women of Influence Birmingham (WIN) and volunteer for Westminster School at Oak Mountain.
Luke Arnett, CPA, has been at BMSS since 2013 and has recently been promoted to Senior Manager. He specializes in audit and assurance services, including annual financial statement audits, general and merger consulting, supervisory committee agreed upon procedures and BSA and ACH agreed upon procedures. As one of the firm’s accountability leaders, Luke works primarily with financial institution clients and can can be found attending chapter meetings for local credit unions, as well as at the annual League of Southeastern Credit Union events.
Jake Bechert, CPA, has been promoted to Senior Manager. With seven years at BMSS and eight in the industry, Jake has set himself apart by the quality of his tax and audit services, specifically with governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, manufacturers and employee benefit plans. Jake is an Alabama native and holds degrees from the University of Alabama and Huntingdon College.
Amanda Houston, CPA, joined the Gadsden office in 2020 and has been promoted to Senior Manager for both the tax and audit departments. With over 18 years of experience, she specializes in working with small business consulting and tax compliance, but also has depth in a variety of businesses and industries.
Kayla Phillips, CPA, joined BMSS in 2021 and has recently been promoted to Senior Manager. With over 15 years of experience focusing on auditing and attestation services, Kayla specializes in working with governments and nonprofit entities. A Jacksonville State University alum and a Rainbow City resident, Kayla is a member of the AICPA, ASCPA and Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy.
The following have been promoted to Manager:
Dalton Bradshaw, CPA
Ryan Carter, CPA
Kelly Love
Tracy Mann
Jennifer Mayfield, CPA
Drew Nicol, CPA
Emily Riles, CPA
Tyler Roberts, CPA
Cassandra Sanders, CPA
The following has been promoted to CAAS Specialist B:
Rebecca Walker
The following have been promoted to Supervisor:
Nathan Bunn, CPA
Patsy Harmening
Marlene Martinez
Mason Murphy, CPA
Hannah Winborne, CPA
The following have been promoted to Senior Accountant:
Eliza Capps, CPA
Caroline Gilmer, CPA
Bentley King, CPA
Cooper Melvin, CPA, JD
Micah Murphy
Brittney Pratt
Alli Reaves
Sarah Shirley
Olivia Vincent, CPA
Caleb Yarbrough, CPA
The following have been promoted to Staff B:
Justin Barkley
Kiara Cates
Ryan Crockett
Hannah Donovan
Jessica Fair
Brady Garris
John Will Graham
Katie Hurt
Andrew Lang
Julia Matthews
Mackenzie Overton
Lindsey Rogers
Molly Stone
Anthony Vintson, CPA
BMSS Advisors & CPAs was established in 1991 and has grown to be one of Alabama’s Top 2 accounting and advisory firms. With an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset at its core, the firm’s ultimate mission is to provide peace of mind for its clients. BMSS specializes in several industries, including manufacturing, wholesale distribution, construction, technology, nonprofit and government contracting. In addition to tax and audit, the firm boasts a robust business advisory practice area which includes transaction advisory services, valuation services, client accounting and advisory services, mergers and acquisitions, and CFO advisory services. BMSS also specializes in state and local tax, estate planning and employee benefit plan audits. The firm is an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting and service firms with similar client service goals. For more information, visit: www.BMSS.com.
