Bennett Thrasher LLP, one of the top 100, full-service public accounting and consulting firms in the country, is pleased to announce the creation of a new Risk Advisory Services Group. The move highlights the firm’s continued strategic growth and efforts to innovate and add new services that will assist clients in the complex interrelationships of technology, operations and finance. To lead the group, Bennett Thrasher has hired Mike Hostinsky who will serve as Director and will bring 15 years of professional experience in audit and compliance, risk management and business consulting.

“As a top 100 public accounting and consulting firm, we decided that having a Risk Advisory Services Group was an essential addition to the menu of services that we offer our clients,” said Jeffrey A. Eischeid, Managing Partner of Bennett Thrasher. “This new group will allow us to provide clients with the services that are required in the ever-changing and complex compliance environment in which we operate.

“To use a sports metaphor, we try to attract very high-quality athletes to the firm and give them the resources and support to go and be successful in the marketplace. Mike’s strengths are identifying the breakdown of business processes, including IT, and advising clients in practical and meaningful ways to overcome them. We are very excited to add someone with his skillset and client-service orientation to our team.”

To support Hostinsky and the new group, Bennett Thrasher will continue actively to recruit professionals to round out its offerings in Risk Advisory Services. Lindsey Sykes, a Partner and Service Line Leader for Bennett Thrasher’s Financial Reporting and Assurance department, which includes Risk Advisory Services, and David H. Kloess, a Partner in the same department, will help Hostinsky build the new team.

Hostinsky comes to Bennett Thrasher after three years with the accounting firm Windham Brannon, where he served as a Principal in the firm’s Advisory Services Group, which grew under his leadership.

The new Risk Advisory Services Group also will provide clients with insight and recommendations in ways that will make their business more efficient and help them to save money. The Risk Advisory Group will specialize in Service Organization Control (SOC) Reports; Internal Audits; Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC); and Business Consulting.

Previously, Hostinsky served as Vice President of Procurement and Compliance for Teavana Corporation. During his three years there, he helped to shepherd the company through its initial public offering, leading risk management activities in support of meeting public company compliance requirements and achieving strategic objectives. Later, he helped to guide Teavana through the acquisition of another company and then its subsequent acquisition by Starbucks Corporation.

In addition to retail and logistics, Hostinsky’s industry experience also includes manufacturing, transportation and technology. Bennett Thrasher has the kind of collaborative culture for which he was looking, Hostinsky said.

“What resonated about becoming a part of Bennett Thrasher is that people are focused on growing the firm and growing practices,” he said. “To me, I think the culture is one in which people will support me in the same way that it supports its clients.”

Hostinsky earned his Bachelor of Science in business from Wake Forest University and his MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Additionally, he is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Project Management Professional (PMP). He is a member of the Atlanta chapters of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and ISACA (previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control 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." For more information, please visit Bennett Thrasher's website at http://www.btcpa.net.