Key Takeaways
- • Smith + Howard appointed Matthew Halpern as international tax principal to expand its specialized advisory practice, leveraging momentum from TPG's recent investment in the accounting and consulting firm.
- • Halpern previously served as managing director at a national accounting firm, leading the Southeast international tax practice with a team exceeding a dozen professionals across multiple offices.
- • The hire enables Smith + Howard to address growing client demand for sophisticated cross-border tax guidance, advising multinational companies and individuals on international structuring, M&A transactions, global tax planning, compliance, and employee mobility.
- • Halpern brings deep technical expertise across technology, manufacturing, and professional services industries, with extensive experience navigating complex international tax regulations and global restructuring initiatives.
- • The appointment represents part of Smith + Howard's broader growth strategy, supported by TPG capital, to invest in talent, technology, and specialized service capabilities as the firm builds its national platform.
Summary
Smith + Howard has elevated its international tax capabilities by appointing Matthew Halpern as an international tax principal, signaling continued expansion following private equity firm TPG's recent investment in the accounting and consulting firm. The hire directly addresses accelerating client demand for sophisticated international tax advisory services as multinational enterprises expand cross-border operations.
Halpern brings substantial leadership experience and technical depth to the role. Before joining Smith + Howard, he served as managing director at a national accounting and advisory firm, where he led the Southeast international tax practice and managed a team of more than a dozen professionals distributed across multiple offices. Throughout his career, Halpern has advised both public and privately held multinational businesses across technology, manufacturing, and professional services sectors on international tax strategy, mergers and acquisitions, global restructuring, and evolving cross-border tax regulations.
According to Sean Spitzer, president and chief operating officer of Smith + Howard, Halpern's addition reflects the firm's strategic commitment to long-term growth. "As more of our clients expand globally, they need increasingly sophisticated international tax guidance. Matt brings deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and extensive experience helping multinational organizations navigate complex international tax challenges," Spitzer stated. The appointment underscores Smith + Howard's confidence in capitalizing on TPG's backing to invest in talent acquisition and specialized service expansion.
In his new role, Halpern will advise multinational companies and individuals on a comprehensive range of international tax matters, including cross-border transactions, global tax planning, compliance, international structuring, and employee mobility. The position positions Smith + Howard to capture growing demand among its expanding client base for expert guidance navigating increasingly complex international tax environments and regulatory requirements.
Halpern brings substantial leadership experience and technical depth to the role. Before joining Smith + Howard, he served as managing director at a national accounting and advisory firm, where he led the Southeast international tax practice and managed a team of more than a dozen professionals distributed across multiple offices. Throughout his career, Halpern has advised both public and privately held multinational businesses across technology, manufacturing, and professional services sectors on international tax strategy, mergers and acquisitions, global restructuring, and evolving cross-border tax regulations.
According to Sean Spitzer, president and chief operating officer of Smith + Howard, Halpern's addition reflects the firm's strategic commitment to long-term growth. "As more of our clients expand globally, they need increasingly sophisticated international tax guidance. Matt brings deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and extensive experience helping multinational organizations navigate complex international tax challenges," Spitzer stated. The appointment underscores Smith + Howard's confidence in capitalizing on TPG's backing to invest in talent acquisition and specialized service expansion.
In his new role, Halpern will advise multinational companies and individuals on a comprehensive range of international tax matters, including cross-border transactions, global tax planning, compliance, international structuring, and employee mobility. The position positions Smith + Howard to capture growing demand among its expanding client base for expert guidance navigating increasingly complex international tax environments and regulatory requirements.
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