Bennett Thrasher PC, one of the largest Atlanta-based, full-service certified public accounting and consulting firms, is pleased to announce the promotions of Chiquita Banks, Annie Casey, Haley Chura and James Johnson to managers, as well as Stephanie Crawford to human resources manager.

Banks is a manager in Bennett Thrasher’s State and Local Tax practice, having joined the firm in 2010. She has more than seven years of tax consulting and business development experience. Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher, Banks began her career in the tax department at Ernst & Young, where she served in an advisory role. Upon earning her law degree, Banks worked in a tax controversy contract assignment at a large Fortune 500 company, defending the company in state and local income tax audits. 

She graduated from Florida A&M University with a Master of Business Administration and received her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Council on State Taxation, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the National Black MBA Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Casey is a manager in the Financial Reporting and Assurance practice.  She has expertise in audit with a variety of clients in the private sector.  Her industry experience includes technology, real estate, investing, manufacturing, and employee benefit plans.

Casey earned her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Washington and Lee University and received her Master of Accounting from Georgia State University.  She is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed in the state of Georgia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA).

Chura is a manager in the Financial Reporting and Assurance practice.  She has expertise in audit with experience in the areas of manufacturing, technology/start-ups, healthcare, restaurant/franchise, not-for-profit organizations, employee benefit plans, partnerships and corporations.

Chura is a CPA licensed in the state of Georgia. She is a member of the AICPA and GSCPA. Chura earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Georgia’s 2005 National Championship swim team.  She is a three-time finisher of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon.

Johnson is a manager in the Financial Reporting and Assurance practice. He provides financial statement audit services to a variety of clients in the manufacturing, distribution, service and restaurant industries. In addition, he has experience with International Financial Reporting Standards engagements, healthcare compliance related matters, and employee benefit plan audits.

Johnson is a CPA licensed in the state of Georgia and a member of the AICPA and GSCPA. He earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance from Florida State University.

Crawford serves as the firm’s Human Resources Manager, responsible for efforts surrounding campus recruiting, training, Financial Reporting and Assurance scheduling, firm event planning and performance reviews.  Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher, Crawford worked as the Audit and Enterprise Risk Services Campus Recruiter for the Atlanta and Birmingham offices of Deloitte. During her time there, she was responsible for the firm’s recruiting efforts across the Southeast.

Crawford graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She is a certified Professional of Human Resources (PHR) and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Association for Accounting Administration (AAA).

About Bennett Thrasher

Bennett Thrasher PC is one of the largest Atlanta-based, full-service certified public accounting and consulting firms. The firm creates significant value and a unique positive experience through collaboration – with and between clients, shareholders, associates and the community. Founded in 1980 by Rick Bennett and Ken Thrasher, today Bennett Thrasher has a dedicated, experienced team of shareholders and professionals who believe in the team concept of creating value by working “Better Together.”