HHM CPA firm adds accountants, managers

HHM Certified Public Accountants, a full-service CPA and consulting firm with locations in Chattanooga and Memphis, has hired three senior managers, a supervisor and three staff accountants to support growth throughout the upcoming tax season.

Jason Ashley, CPA, was appointed as a senior tax manager. He will assist business owners, trustees, passive investors and individuals with tax consulting, research and compliance. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Ashley spent several years as a tax manager at a firm in Bluffton, South Carolina, where he managed client relationships and employees. Prior to that, he worked as a manager at a BDO Alliance firm in Savannah, Georgia. He is a graduate of Missouri State University.

Also joining the firm as a senior tax manager is Donna Langerud, CPA. Langerud brings more than 20 years of experience to the tax team and will prepare and review returns for a variety of clients, including high net worth individuals, S-corporations and partnerships. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Langerud worked at a public accounting firm in Houston, where she was a senior tax manager. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Amy Smith, who has more than 20 years as an accountant, also has been named a senior manager at HHM. She will consult with businesses and individuals, providing tax saving strategies and advising clients on how current tax laws apply to their specific circumstances. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Smith worked in private industry as the tax and fund accounting director for a large renewable energy company in addition to working at public accounting firms on the East Coast. Smith is a graduate of St. John Fisher College, has attained a certificate in transfer pricing from Thomas J. Campbell School of Law and is pursuing her master’s in accounting at the Kenan Flager School of Business at UNC Chapel Hill.

Peggy Brandon joins the firm as a supervisor. With extensive experience working with corporations, partnerships and S-corporations, she will provide tax preparation and guidance to clients. In addition, she will provide estate and trust tax return preparation. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Brandon worked in the tax department at a large medical corporation in addition to working at public accounting firms in the greater Nashville area. Brandon is an enrolled agent and a graduate of Lipscomb University.

Keenan Cox, Tyler Ballengee and Jackson Vetetoe are joining the firm as staff accountants. Cox joins the audit department and is a graduate of Lee University. Ballengee and Vetetoe join the tax department and are graduates of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“I am thrilled to start a new year by adding this group of talented professionals at all levels of our team,” said Donnie Hutcherson, managing partner of HHM CPAs in a release from the company. “We are preparing for another busy tax season, and I have no doubt this group will provide excellent client service throughout this challenging season.”