Smith + Howard Appoints Amanda Popolare as Chief Innovation Officer, Expanding Commitment to Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence

ATLANTA (November 18, 2025) — Smith + Howard, a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm, announced today the appointment of Amanda Popolare as Chief Innovation Officer, effective immediately. She will lead firm-wide initiatives focused on modernization, process optimization, and technology integration, all in support of the firm’s Vision2030 growth strategy.

An accomplished tax professional and transformation leader with over 20 years of industry experience, Popolare brings a unique blend of tax technical expertise and process innovation. Most recently, she served as Director of Tax Process + Development at Smith + Howard, where she played a pivotal role in implementing scalable, tech-enabled solutions to increase efficiency and elevate client service.

In her new role, Popolare leads the firm’s Process + Development (P+D) team, guiding the modernization of internal systems, driving post-acquisition integration, and advancing Smith + Howard’s ability to remain agile and future-ready.

“Since joining Smith + Howard three years ago, Amanda has been instrumental in advancing our innovation agenda through her unique blend of tax expertise and process improvement,” said Sean Taylor, CEO of Smith + Howard. “She is exceptionally well-suited to lead this next chapter in alignment with our Vision2030 strategy, driving tech-enabled solutions that enhance both the employee and client experience.”

Prior to joining Smith + Howard, Popolare held leadership roles at HubSync, Andersen Tax, Deloitte, and Arthur Andersen, serving clients in industries such as manufacturing, retail, technology, and entertainment. She is also an experienced consultant, having spent time advising Top 10 accounting firms on tax process and technology improvements across the U.S. and Europe.

“I’m honored to step into the role of Chief Innovation Officer at such a forward-thinking firm,” said Popolare. “I’ve spent my career at the intersection of tax and technology, and I’m passionate about building tools and processes that make our professionals more effective and our clients better served. Innovation isn’t just about software — it’s about culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and I’m excited to help lead that journey.”

Popolare earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics with an emphasis in accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is an Enrolled Agent (EA), a federally licensed tax specialist authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

About Smith + Howard
Smith + Howard is a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm serving clients across industries including construction, distribution, hospitality, manufacturing, nonprofit, real estate, technology, and transportation and logistics. Headquartered in Atlanta, the firm has seven offices, nearly 50 partners, and more than 600 employees. In November 2022, Smith + Howard became one of the first accounting firms to secure private equity funding from Broad Sky Partners. The firm provides a full suite of services, including audit, tax, international tax, transfer pricing, cyber risk compliance, R&D tax credits, SOC reporting, and more. Through its Family of Companies—which includes wealth management, sales and use tax, property tax, management consulting, human capital consulting, and executive search—Smith + Howard supports businesses at every stage of growth. Learn more at www.smith-howard.com.

​​Media Contact:
Lisa Hagendorf
Centerpiece Public Relations
[email protected]