H.B. Lee III

H.B. Lee III is a Partner in Smith + Howard’s Tax Services practice, joining the firm through its September 2025 acquisition of Horton, Lee & Burnett. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, he has over 30 years of experience advising closely held businesses, professional services firms, and individuals on tax compliance and strategic planning.

H.B. began his career at Coopers & Lybrand, where he worked in both business assurance and tax, specializing in governmental and tax-exempt matters. During this time, he served clients in various industries, including healthcare, higher education, public charities, and private foundations.

After joining Horton, Lee & Burnett in 1999, H.B. continued to build his expertise, becoming a Partner in 2008. He has extensive experience navigating complex real estate structures, advising privately held companies through general business and tax planning strategies, and working with individuals on a variety of tax and personal financial planning matters.

Now with Smith + Howard, H.B. leverages both his deep technical experience and the firm’s broader resources to deliver personalized, high-impact service to clients across industries including, real estate, healthcare, and professional services.

Location

• Birmingham, Alabama

Education

• University of Alabama – Master of Tax Accounting
• Auburn University – Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Affiliations

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – Tax Section
• Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA)

Hometown

• Birmingham, Alabama

Interests + Hobbies

• Snow skiing
• Scuba diving
• Family travel