Sean Taylor

Sean Taylor is CEO of Smith + Howard, a national accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta. Since stepping into the role in 2019, he has led the firm through significant growth — from just over 100 employees to more than 700 today, and from a single Atlanta office to a national footprint spanning ten U.S. cities and one in India. This expansion has been driven by a bold 10-year vision, multiple strategic acquisitions, and a partnership with private equity firm Broad Sky Partners.

Under his leadership, Smith + Howard has expanded its capabilities, talent base, and geographic reach. In recognition of his impact, Sean was named “Top Leader” among midsize workplaces by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Vistage Worldwide, a global executive-coaching and peer-advisory organization for CEOs. He has also been recognized as a “Most Admired CEO” by The Atlanta Business Chronicle and honored with the “Public Service Award” from the Georgia Society of CPAs.

Sean is the host of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, a podcast where leaders share lessons learned from misguided advice and the experiences that shaped their careers. His candid and curious approach reflects the authenticity he brings to leadership.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, Sean earned a BBA in accounting and began his career at Smith + Howard as an intern. He became a partner in 2003, led the Assurance practice beginning in 2010, and was named CEO in 2019. Over the course of his career, he has advised nonprofits and privately held businesses with deep expertise in succession planning and organizational transition. More recently, he has guided accounting firm leaders through private equity considerations, drawing on Smith + Howard’s own experience to help others navigate both the opportunities and complexities of outside investment.

Sean is deeply committed to mentorship and community impact. He actively champions the firm’s mentoring initiatives and works with team members across the organization. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Wesleyan School and on the finance committee of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. In 2012, he co-founded FoodStock, Georgia’s largest one-day meal-packing event, which has helped provide nearly 5 million meals to children around the world.

Location

• Atlanta, Georgia

Education

• University of Georgia – Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

Affiliations

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (Leadership Academy Inaugural Member)
• Wesleyan School (Board of Trustees)
• Dunwoody United Methodist Church

Awards

• Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Public Service Award (2020)
• Atlanta Business Chronicle Most Admired CEOs (2020)

Hometown

• Sandy Springs, Georgia

Interests + Hobbies

• Baseball
• Kayaking
• Reading