The Firm

Character counts.

ATA was named a 2023 Firm to Watch and was recognized as a Regional Leader by Accounting Today. Our clients need the personalized services of a local firm and the resources and expertise of a large firm. Whether urban or rural, each of our offices reflect the communities that they serve. As one of the largest regional accounting firms, our 200+ team members are able to meet your needs.

Many businesses encounter challenges that become a plateau for their growth. ATA creates and implements proven business and financial strategies that guide our clients to success.
When you need a partner for your business, we can amplify your business. At our core, ATA is the premier source of accounting and advisory services to help clients achieve their goals.
From tax preparation, digital marketing, wealth management, human resources, business valuations, and everything in between, ATA is your go-to partner for taking your business to the next level.

We are where you are. We cater to your business needs from one of our many offices located throughout the Southeast. By bringing an international level of resources and knowledge to your goals, we’re able to be the kind of partner you can turn to for all your business questions.

What could you do if your business found more tax saving opportunities? What would it do for your company culture if every employee had greater nest eggs? How would your company grow with a website and digital presence that stood out from everything else your customers see? At our core, we are here to meet your accounting needs, but with our growing network of advisory services we are able to provide your business with so much more, all while working with the same partner.

Mission

Create & implement proven business & financial strategies that guide our clients to success.

Vision

We are the premier source of accounting & advisory services helping clients achieve their goals.

Value

Above all, we believe Character Counts.

Core Values

Community Focused

Holistic investments in the markets we serve

Professional Excellence

Committed to providing quality products & services

Supportive Environment

Encourage professional & personal growth

Intentional Relationships

Decide to enjoy who you work with

Continuous Innovation

On-going search for improvement & opportunity

History

1940

Grady Arnold originated Branham & Arnold in Jackson. Earlier in the 1940s, the firm, Hancock & Branham, consisted of an attorney and CPA until ethics rules required separate practices.

1946

William P. Alexander, Jr. returned from WWII and opened an accounting firm in Dyersburg, TN.

1950

William Holmes moved to Dyersburg and joined Mr. Alexander to form Alexander & Holmes.

1952

Jimmy Thompson was a principal in Cheeseman Thompson & Company.

1973

Steve Carmichael and Richard Johnson joined the firm as partners.

1976

Thompson Breeding & Dunn of Union City was the surviving firm of Cheesman Thompson & Company.

1980

Winston Truett joined the partnership at Arnold Spain & Company.

1981

Al Creswell and Art Sparks became partners, and the name changed to Thompson Breeding Dunn Creswell & Sparks. Mike Hewitt joined the partnership at Arnold Spain & Company.

1984

Crawford and Company was purchased, adding offices in Paris and McKenzie.

1989

Acquired a presence in Trenton, TN.

1991

With the death of Jimmy Thompson, the retirement of Charles Breeding, and the admission of new partners Jerry Smith, Jim Horne and Mark Downing, the name changed to Dunn Creswell Sparks Smith Horne & Downing. Together, there were now offices in Union City, Paris, McKenzie, and Trenton, TN and Fulton, KY.

1995

Carmichael & Associates merged with Dunn Creswell Sparks Smith Horne & Downing.

1998

Arnold, Spain & Company merged with Dunn Creswell Sparks Smith Horne & Downing to become Arnold Spain Truett & Hewitt.

2003

ATA became a BDO Alliance USA Firm and gained access to the resources and opportunities of the world's 5th largest accounting and consulting network through the BDO Alliance USA.

2007

ATA acquired Trinity Solutions and created ATA Technologies, providing clients complete financial and technical coverage.

Readers' Choice Awards for "Best Accounting Firm"

2008

ATA was named as the recipient of the annual Readers' Choice Awards for "Best Accounting Firm" 10 years in a row by The Jackson Sun.

2012

The acquisition of Goldstein & Sacks brought ATA's services to Nashville.

2015

American City Business Journals named ATA as 9th largest firm in Tennessee.

2016

ATA gained a presence in Memphis.

2017

Partnership formed with Revolution Partners, RPATA, to deliver more convenient, consistent, and collaborative wealth management services. Partnership formed with Center Point Business Solutions, CPATA, to allow for a streamlined approach to human resource management solutions to businesses.

2018

Sodium Halogen and Adelsberger Marketing joined the ATA Family of Firms bringing new marketing, design, and software development opportunities for our clients.

2019

INSIDE Public Accounting’s recognized ATA as a National Top 200 Accounting Firm for the 5th consecutive year. ATA ranked 8th largest CPA firm in the Memphis area by Memphis Business Journal. Forbes recognized ATA as a top tax firm in America.

2019

ATA Secure was formed to support evolving cybersecurity needs.

2020

ATA named first ever Chief Information Officer Alan Watson.

2020

ATA adds National Advisory Practice Leader and Partner Rick Schreiber.

2022

ATA moves into Arkansas with the addition of 2 offices in the Hot Springs area.

Memberships

We are proud to be members of these organizations

AICPA Peer Review

The peer review helps to monitor a CPA firm’s accounting and auditing practice (practice monitoring). The goal of the practice monitoring, and the program itself, is to promote and enhance quality in the accounting and auditing services provided by the CPA firms subject to these standards.

Peer Review Letter

BDO Alliance

BDO Alliance is a nationwide association of independently-owned local and regional accounting, consulting, and service firms with similar client service goals. By supplementing our services, the BDO Alliance USA allows us to:

Enhance our client services and broaden our capabilities overall
Expand our domestic and international coverage
Gain greater technical knowledge in specialty areas
Utilize professionals with experience in a wide range of industries
Access the most up-to-date technical information
Participate in the latest training programs
Utilize state-of-the-art, customized computer systems
Provide our clients with key contacts and sophisticated professionals

Awards? Yep.

Since 2015, ATA has been named a national Top 200 Accounting Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting. In 2017, we were recognized as the IPA 200 Fastest-Growing All Growth Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting.

Accounting Today named our firm a 2023 Firm to Watch and recognized us as a Regional Leader.

ATA is proud to make Forbes’ list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023.