Michelle Thompson

Michelle Thompson is Chief Executive Officer for Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, which is ranked among the largest accounting and advisory firms in the US. Cherry Bekaert creates shared success by helping thousands of clients solve their toughest business challenges and advance their strategic goals.

Appointed to her role in 2018, Michelle leads the Firm’s Executive Management Team and serves on the Executive Board of Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, overseeing the overall strategy, growth and financial management of the Firm.

Upon joining Cherry Bekaert in 1998, Michelle established Cherry Bekaert’s Risk & Accounting Advisory Services (RAAS) and scaled the practice for nearly 10 years. She was the Managing Partner of Assurance Services for eight years.

Michelle has been honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and CPA Practice Advisor as one of the Most Powerful Women in Accounting in 2024, 2022 and 2019. She was recognized as a Forbes Top 200 CPA in 2024.

A strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, Michelle has served as a member of the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and the Nominations Committee. She is a former member of the Baker Tilly International Governing Board and Finance Committee. She also formerly served as Major Firms Group Chair for the AICPA.