Nichols Cauley

10/19/2026

This week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, a good reminder that planning for the future is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people you care about.

Estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy, and it isn’t only about taxes. It’s about making sure your wishes are clear, your family is cared for, and the things you’ve worked hard to build are protected. For business owners, it also means thinking through who will lead the company and how ownership will transition.

It’s easy to put off. The topic can feel uncomfortable or complicated, and when life is busy, it rarely feels urgent. But a few key steps can go a long way, and big life changes like marriage, kids, or business growth are a natural time to start (or revisit) the conversation.

If you’re not sure where to begin, our latest article is a great starting point: https://zurl.co/rqYIL

And when you’re ready to talk it through, our team is here to help.

10/15/2026

Welcome, Michael Watson!

We're pleased to welcome Michael Watson to Nichols Cauley as a Partner in our Tax practice.

Michael brings more than 25 years of tax experience, including leadership roles at KPMG, Deloitte, and CLA. His corporate tax background spans income taxes, ASC 740 provisions, and tax planning strategies, and he's passionate about helping clients navigate complex tax matters with confidence.

At Nichols Cauley, Michael will help lead the development of a standardized, AI-forward tax process across the firm, facilitate technical training for our professionals, and work directly with clients on their corporate tax needs.

Under the leadership of Eli Alarcon, our Tax Services team continues to grow, investing in new technology and better ways of working so our professionals can spend more time delivering valuable insights to our clients. Michael's experience and leadership will strengthen that momentum, and we're excited for what's ahead.

Please join us in welcoming Michael to the Nichols Cauley team!

Learn more about Michael: https://zurl.co/tjEmH

10/08/2026

Our CEO, Alan Whitman, sat down with Insurance Business to talk about where group benefits is headed, and why rising healthcare costs, fiduciary scrutiny, and the fee-vs-commission debate make trusted guidance more valuable, not less.
Alan also shared the thinking behind our growth across the Southeast. It always starts with strategy. Before we look at geography, client base, or culture, every potential partner has to answer two questions: do they share the strategy we're executing, and can they execute it alongside us?

That approach is what made The LaRocco Companies such a natural fit. Their team brings 46 years of employee benefits expertise, adding a capability and relationships that strengthen what we can deliver for every client.

And our focus hasn't changed. Owner-operated, founder-led, and family-run businesses are the Southeast's "hidden wealth." They're too often overlooked by firms chasing bigger and more complex clients, and they deserve sophisticated advice just as much. That's exactly who we're built to serve.

We're not a CPA firm bolting on insurance, or an insurance group partnering with a CPA firm. We're a financial services company built for the businesses that are the backbone of the Southeast.

Read the full interview: https://zurl.co/6icXX

10/07/2026

Long before she took on the role of Audit and Assurance Partner, Lacey Goggans considered a very different future: meteorology. Fascinated by storms and weather patterns, she worked at a local TV station offering on-air weather announcements.

Ultimately, however, accounting won her over.

Lacey had watched her mom “grow up” in public accounting, returning to school after Lacey was born and building a successful career as a CPA. What energized Lacey was not the numbers, but the challenge of taking complexity and finding a clear way forward.

Today, she channels that same problem-solving instinct into her work: "I feel like accounting is the language of business, and for someone eager to build a meaningful, long-term career, it felt like the right foundation."

Today, she sees her greatest gift as the ability to bring calm, clarity, and optimism to her team in moments of chaos.

According to Lacey, true leadership is a multiplier: "When you consistently coach and lead your team forward, the impact grows far beyond any one person."

🔗 Learn more about Lacey's path from weather forecasts to leading audit teams here: https://zurl.co/CfY4G

10/06/2026

This October, we're joining communities across the country in recognizing Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

At Nichols Cauley, we believe strong communities are built when everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive. That's why we're proud to support the Down Syndrome Congress as a sponsor of the Big Game Ball, an evening dedicated to honoring advocates and raising support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

We encourage you to learn more about NDSC's work and how you can get involved: https://zurl.co/qTs3F

09/24/2026

🏆 9 years. Still champions.

We're proud to announce Nichols Cauley has once again been named the Georgia Accounting Food Fight Statewide Hunger Champion, raising $53,405.16 and earning the highest point total in the state for the ninth consecutive year.

The recognition is a nice bonus, but the real headline that lasts is helping families and communities across Georgia that are facing food insecurity. The creativity, energy, and commitment our team members brought to those two weeks made a real impact, not just on the competition, but on our neighbors who need it.

We're grateful to the GSCPA and the many organizations across Georgia who make the Accounting Food Fight what it is. There's something special about our profession coming together, with a little competition and a lot of heart, all pointed at the same worthy cause. Together, participating organizations raised $363,162.91 for the cause.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, and got their neighbors involved. You carried forward a proud Nichols Cauley tradition and reminded us what one Nichols Cauley can do when we come together to support our communities and something bigger than ourselves.

Read more here: https://zurl.co/yiKbK

09/21/2026

Start your Thursday morning with our team in Athens.

Join Kirk Jarrett, Managed Finance Lead, and Eric Moses, Partner, for another Business Leaders Breakfast. The morning will feature a conversation on different types of valuation and understanding what your business is really worth.

📅 Thursday, September 24 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am
☕ Breakfast included
📌 RSVP by 9/22 : https://zurl.co/caNo4

09/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Eric Moses on his new role as Strategic Growth Leader for our Accounting Services practice!

At Nichols Cauley, our success has always been built on relationships and trust. In this new role, Eric will help us build on that foundation—bringing greater focus and intentionality to how we grow, expand our reach, and connect with the businesses and communities we serve.

Eric brings a proven talent for building genuine relationships, spotting opportunities, and opening doors. It's a natural fit for someone who has always led with a relationship-first approach.

Please join us in wishing Eric continued success as he helps drive new growth across our team. Congratulations, Eric! 👏

09/11/2026

25 years ago, our community — like so many others — watched the towers fall. Today, we remember the 2,977 lives lost and the first responders who ran in when everyone else ran out.

09/09/2026

We're proud to see our partner Kirk Jarrett featured on the debut episode of Search & Tell, the new podcast from the The Georgia Society of CPAs.

In this first-ever episode, GSCPA CEO Boyd Search sits down with Kirk — a longtime friend — for a conversation that goes far beyond the balance sheet. Kirk opens up about his unconventional path into accounting, the people and moments that shaped him as a husband, father, and leader, and the unexpected challenges that changed how he looks at life.

It's a thoughtful conversation about family, opportunity, service, and the lasting impact we can have on the people around us. As the show puts it: behind every CPA is a story worth telling.

Congratulations, Kirk — and thank you for sharing yours. 🎧

Give it a watch👇

https://zurl.co/fhdjg

In the first episode of Search & Tell, GSCPA CEO Boyd Search sits d...