Bennett Thrasher Presents: Beyond The Ledger

What does it take to reinvent yourself, build a championship culture, and redefine success beyond your greatest achievements? In this episode of Beyond the Ledger's The Growth Exchange , host Shardae Layfield sits down with Rennie Curran , former NFL and CFL linebacker, three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, keynote speaker, and CEO of Game Changer Coaching and Consulting . Ren...

From The Walking Dead to Georgia’s emergence as a major film and television production hub, what does the future hold for one of the country’s most influential entertainment markets? In this episode of Beyond the Ledger’s The Growth Exchange, Bennett Thrasher Partner, Peter Stathopoulos sits down with veteran producer and executive producer Tom Luse , whose career spans more than four decades and...

When it comes to estate planning, determining the value of real estate holdings involves more than just a property appraisal. From minority ownership interests and valuation discounts to documentation and IRS scrutiny, understanding the complexities is essential for effective estate and gift tax planning. In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host Shardae Layfield sits down with Sarah DeKreek , D...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host Shardae Layfield sits down with Adrien Echols, Director in Bennett Thrasher’s State and Local Tax practice , to uncover common sales tax pitfalls facing growing software companies. Adrien breaks down how different states tax software, why product classification and customer data matter, and how businesses can proactively address past exposure while build...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger’s The Growth Exchange , host Shardae Layfield introduces Emily Ackerman , who sits down with Mark Melton , Partner and Co-Chair of the Tax, Executive Compensation and Benefits Practice Group at Holland & Knight , to explore a career shaped by resilience, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and a drive to create meaningful impact. Mark shares how early challenges...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield sits down with Matt Pellegrom , Partner in Bennett Thrasher’s International Tax Practice, to explore the evolving landscape of foreign investment in the United States. As global tax reform, shifting trade policies, supply chain realignment, and economic uncertainty reshape international business decisions, Matt explains why the U.S. conti...

Missed an FBAR? The Rules Just Changed In this episode of Beyond the Ledger: Blitz Chats, host Shardae Layfield   sits down with Matt Pellegrom , Partner in Bennett Thrasher’s International Tax Practice, to break down a significant change to the FBAR reporting landscape. With the IRS eliminating its Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures, taxpayers who discover missed filings may face a different p...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host Shardae Layfield sits down with DiAndria “Dee” Green , Partner in Bennett Thrasher’s State and Local Tax Practice, to explore why sales tax automation alone isn’t enough to keep businesses compliant. While platforms like Avalara and Anrok can streamline compliance, missed filings, unresolved notices, credit balances, reconciliation issues, and changing n...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield sits down with Nina Desai , Partner in Bennett Thrasher's Credits & Incentives Practice, and Julie Hagan , who works closely with manufacturers to identify innovation across their operations, to discuss how manufacturers can uncover valuable R&D tax credit opportunities hidden within their everyday operations. From process im...

Summary In this episode of Beyond the Ledger's special series, The Growth Exchange host Shardae Layfield introduces Emily Ackerman , Southwest Business Development Director at Bennett Thrasher, and Erin England , Founder and CEO of Diaper Concierge , for a conversation about turning a simple idea into meaningful impact. Erin shares her inspiring journey to founding Diaper Concierge, a revolut...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield sits down with Peter Stathopoulos , Partner in Bennett Thrasher's Entertainment Practice, to explore how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has transformed college athletics into a complex financial and tax landscape. The conversation examines the tax implications of NIL income, common record-keeping mistakes, multi-state tax challenges...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield sits down with Chris Tomaselli to discuss how growing businesses can build accounting functions that support long-term success. The conversation explores the warning signs that companies have outgrown their current processes, when outsourcing may become a strategic advantage, and how technology, automation, and scalable systems can help o...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield sits down James Pickett and Chris Stephens to explore the realities of the IRS audit process and what businesses should know before the IRS comes calling. The conversation examines common audit triggers, documentation challenges, communication strategies, and the proactive steps organizations can take to strengthen audit readiness and red...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield sits down with Adrien Echols to explore why sales and use tax remains one of the most overlooked compliance risks facing construction companies today. The conversation examines common mistakes contractors make, why tax issues often remain hidden until an audit, and the documentation practices that can help businesses build a stronger, mor...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host Shardae Layfield sits down with Molly Cochran , Senior Manager in Bennett Thrasher’s Financial Reporting and Assurance Practice, to explore what it really takes for companies to scale without breaking their financial infrastructure. The conversation unpacks the growing pains organizations face as they expand, from outdated processes and reporting ineffic...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host Shardae Layfield sits down with Lauren Brown to explore Section 1202 and Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS), breaking down one of the most valuable tax planning opportunities available to founders, investors, and growing businesses today. The conversation covers the fundamentals of QSBS, recent legislative updates, qualification requirements, common p...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host Shardae Layfield , alongside the expertise of Duwayne Sibley and Nina Desai , breaks down how businesses can more effectively capture and defend tax incentives like cost segregation and R&D credits. The conversation explores how differences between boutique providers and full-service public accounting firms can significantly impact both the value rea...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger , host, Shardae Layfield , alongside the expertise of DiAndria “Dee” Green (The SALTy Lawyer) , breaks down how businesses can proactively manage multi-state sales tax exposure through strategic tools like voluntary disclosure agreements (VDAs) and managed audits. The conversation explores how evolving nexus rules and increased enforcement are creating new risk...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host, Shardae Layfield , alongside the expertise of, Ben Miller and Abbas Raza discuss the complexities of financing transactions within the realm of transfer pricing. The guests discuss the importance of understanding inter-company debt versus payables, the necessity of proper documentation, and the common pitfalls companies face. They also explore how to est...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host, Shardae Layfield , alongside the expertise of, Matthew Laney discusses the complexities of multi-state income tax, focusing on California's recent regulatory changes, the implications of federal legislation, and the nuances for professional service providers. He emphasizes the importance of understanding nexus, tax obligations, and the potential pit...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, Shardae Layfield , alongside the expertise of Ben Bowers , Nina Desai , and Duwayne Sibley discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, focusing on its implications for taxpayers, including changes to tax deductions, R&D expensing, and new incentives for manufacturers. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the various provisions and deadli...

In this 2-part episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield discusses the complexities of transfer pricing with experts Abbas Raza and Kyle Ergle from Bennett Thrasher. The conversation begins with a foundational understanding of transfer pricing, its significance in inter-company transactions, and the compliance challenges businesses face. The discussion then delves into the specifics of i...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Shardae Layfield hosts Abbas Raza and Kyle Ergle to discuss the complexities of transfer pricing, focusing on the strategic and operational challenges businesses face. They explore the determination of service fees, the importance of accurate cost calculations, and the scrutiny from tax authorities. The discussion highlights common pitfalls companies encounter, the...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, Shardae Layfield , Sarah DeKreek , and Davis Reynolds discuss the importance of collaboration between advisory disciplines, particularly in the context of forensic accounting and valuation. They share insights from a recent engagement where their teams worked together to address a client's complex business challenges, emphasizing the benefits of reliable...

In this episode of Beyond the Ledger, host Shardae Layfield and Peter Stathopoulos , Partner at Bennett Thrasher , explore why Georgia’s environment has become a magnet for emerging filmmakers, how the state’s tax incentives fuel its competitive edge, and why maintaining a strong, collaborative creative ecosystem is essential.  Georgia’s film industry stands at a pivotal moment... one shaped by di...