Meet the Chapter President: Charles Peery, CPA
For TSCPA West Tennessee Chapter President Charles Peery, CPA, giving back to his community is a top priority. Not only does he serve TSCPA, but he is also involved with several nonprofits and leadership programs committed to making Tennessee a better place to live and work. Of his service with TSCPA, Peery says, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of TSCPA. We are very fortunate to have a great leadership team in place that works to build up and provide support for each of our local chapters. I’m excited to see what the future holds for our industry at the state and local level, with TSCPA leading the way.”
Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you grew up.
I live in Union City, Tennessee, with my wife and four children. Originally, I’m from Huntingdon, Tennessee, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin. In Union City, I am a member of Second Baptist Church and serve on the United Way of Obion County Board. I am also a graduate of WestStar, Leadership Tennessee Next and Leadership Obion County.
What do you do now, and why did you choose to become a CPA?
I am a partner with ATA Advisory, where I lead our business tax practice in our tax division and work internally on several firm initiatives. I chose to become a CPA due to its challenging nature and for the opportunity to work with people to help them achieve their personal and business goals.
What do you like most about your job?
There are several things I love about my job and this career. Two of the best parts are helping/working with clients and working internally on our own business.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome, or what’s been your most significant success?
Both of those questions are difficult to answer because everyone’s perspective is so unique. Career-wise, a challenge and success for me has been working for and learning from
a current principal and retired partner at our firm. He holds very high standards for the services we provide to our clients, which continues to challenge me to be better.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
There are so many that it is hard to give only one. “Don’t miss the forest for the trees” can hit home personally and in our careers.
What has changed the most since you entered the profession, and what do you see changing the most in the next 5-10 years?
The rate at which changes occur and the ability to adapt with technology – same for both answers.
Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?
That is a long list. Making memories with my family, being involved in the community, meeting new people, learning about new subjects, going to different places, trying new foods, being outside, exercising, hunting, fishing and – despite my high handicap – golfing. Life is short and goes by fast. I try to make the most of my time when not at work.
This article was originally published in the March/April 2025 Tennessee CPA Journal.