MANAGING PARTNER, ASSURANCE SERVICES

If you ever wondered what makes an accounting firm different from any other, you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Bruce Benator. Moments after talking with Bruce you instinctively know that this is a man with a history and an early passion for doing exactly what he does, serving as managing partner of Williams Benator & Libby.

Bruce’s inspiration and exposure to the accounting world was facilitated by his father, Ralph Benator, who formed the CPA firm Kanes Benator & Co., back in 1953. “Growing up I instinctively knew I would be exactly where I am today. My father was definitely my first business professor”, says Bruce. “I spent every summer and holiday working as an intern for his firm and was fortunate to learn firsthand what true professionalism is.”

“Accounting is more than just a numbers business,” says Bruce. “It’s caring about clients and developing long term relationships. We want our clients to succeed. We’re certainly there to provide the accounting requirements, but with sound financial advice. I observed how my father embraced the business challenges clients faced and was able to help beyond what was then considered the typical accountant’s role. It’s the heart and soul of what I implement every day.”

Graduating with honors from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Bruce was immediately offered and accepted a position at the national accounting firm Ernst & Young. However, the temptation to manage his own practice eventually evolved. Says Bruce, “I wanted the opportunity to work with clients the way I thought they should be served….not only as an auditor, but more of an advisor who could make prudent business sense out of the numbers. That’s the way we serve, promoting our clients' best interest by helping them to grow their company with solid fiscal advice.”

The Benator philosophy is certainly felt among the firm’s associates at WBL. It’s an absolute given that upcoming potential partners and managers instinctively care about providing exceptional client service on every assignment. The goal is to think as an advisor and business consultant, not just audit the numbers and complete the forms. It’s been the purpose of the firm for over 28 years.

With over 30 years experience providing services to emerging, middle-market and closely held businesses, Bruce has managed, coordinated and performed audits and reviews of private and publicly held companies in various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, service, software and staffing companies. He has also managed audits of not-for-profit organizations and audits in accordance with governmental auditing standards. Bruce has conducted numerous due diligence and systems consultation engagements of various sizes and complexity, primarily for manufacturing, service and distribution companies.

“I’ve been fortunate in this business, and client satisfaction is a huge part,” says Bruce. “We have a substantial number of clients who have been with us since the conception of the firm 28 years ago. That client loyalty sums up the business practice ideas that the firm was initially launched from.”

Long term success seems to follow Bruce. Married over 25 years, Bruce and his wife Debbi enjoy the massive cultural forum of Atlanta. “We’ve certainly enjoyed everything Atlanta offers but I’m still a huge UNC basketball fan,” says Bruce. Together with their children Erin (20, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)) and Sydney (14, Davis Academy) the Benator family is also involved in various athletic events as well as scholastic and college activities.

When asked to comment on upcoming goals for the firm, Bruce states, “Stay the course, continually seek to increase the competency in our associates, and keep foremost that our clients mean everything.”

EDUCATION

Bruce is a native Atlantan and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He received the Beta Gamma Sigma Key for the highest academic average in the business school.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Vistage, an international organization of CEO’s