Meet the team

As a Client Relations Specialist, I consider myself an administrative asset to boost productivity and efficiency.

My day to day work is centered on client support - and our clients are pretty amazing! Patient, understanding, willing to adapt. The thing I love most about my work is the challenge. Everyday I get to further explore a field I once knew nothing about, and experience firsthand the passion and expertise my coworkers have towards their work.

I am very passionate about the performing arts. I love music and being able to learn an instrument - I play 7! I also love to perform in general. Whether I’m in theater portraying someone else, in an orchestra playing a melody, or in a choir singing a harmony, I can put myself into it fully and make it my work of art.

I love being a partner at GW, leading a team whose vision, culture and execution will carry us farther than any one of its parts.

I love what I do because I believe that the team here is my highest calling in my career. If I take care of the team and keep them future focused, they will transfer that care and foresight onto our clients. And then my favorite thing about working with our entrepreneurial clients is the optimism and determination they bring to their work. Entrepreneurs can change the world if they set their minds to big enough problems.

I've been married for almost 20 years and have raised two really smart (and sarcastic) teens. Leading my family is the most important thing I've done on this earth, and I'm exceedingly amazed every day how this long-term investment has changed me in the process.

I’m your go-to for payroll processing and payroll tax questions. I’d say that the simplest part of my job is the most enjoyable - I take pride in being responsible for ensuring employees are paid properly.

I’ve always had a weird love of numbers. I went back to school for medical billing and coding and worked at a doctor's office in the hopes of moving up to that position, but it didn't work out. So I applied for a hybrid position of both front desk and payroll support. Within a year I was full-time in the payroll department and loving it. Now I’m proud to provide payroll support to all our GW CPA clients, knowing I can offer a personalized customer service you don’t find in the world of big payroll providers.

I’m an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary (Dept. of MD), both on a local (unit) and state level. Every year I support the ALA Maryland Girls State Program, helping upcoming senior high school girls learn about all facets of our government. On a regular day you’ll mostly find me spending time with my husband and fur babies.

As an Intern at GW CPA, I am here to assist with various accounting tasks and administration duties to help aid the firm in running smoothly.

I am here to support the team and learn as much as I can from the experience, growing professionally and personally. I am currently a student at University of Maryland where I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in Finance and Human Resource Management. I am expected to graduate in the Spring of 2025! I strive to balance my professional and academic commitments while still staying engaged in activities I enjoy. Since starting at GW CPA, I have noticed that everyone here wants help our clients. A professional goal I have is to help people and businesses understand the fundamentals of financial management enabling them to make informed decisions that support their financial wellbeing.

Outside of work, I enjoy dog-sitting, staying active, and traveling. Traveling has been the most recent of my interests that I have discovered. Before I made the switch to finance I was going to college for History for Secondary Education. I would love to visit Europe, especially cities like Rome, Athens, and Paris to explore their rich historical sites.

At GW it’s my job to help businesses make critical financial decisions. I joined the firm in 2020 really wanting to help people and find a new challenge in my life.

I love that the company is small, but all of us are very different. It adds flavor, helps provide a wide variety of ideas and keeps us growing as a firm.

I’m about living life to its fullest everyday, I like to be active and love watching sports! I’m a very goal-oriented person. I continue to set small goals and strive to achieve them everyday. It keeps me moving on the path to where I want to be mentally, physically, and financially.

Following in my father’s footsteps, I joined the GW team in 1985. Witnessing how clients trusted his advice and opinions motivated me to continue this legacy within our team.

Although I wear lots of hats as a Partner, meeting with clients remains my favorite part of the job. Most of my clients are more like friends. While we maintain a professional business relationship, we also share personal details about our lives and families. This creates a sense of community where everyone feels connected.

When I’m not working, you’ll mostly find me playing golf or working around the house. My family holds the most special place in my life, and as I grow older, I become more passionate about spending quality time with them and indulging in my favorite hobbies.

I started my career at GW as a part time accountant, through the encouragement of my father (the other John Benish) who also works at the firm. It turned out accounting wasn’t my passion! When a coworker took a step back in operations, I filled in and truly found my place. Administrative behind-the-scenes work is perfect for me, as I love supporting the team I work with.

I’m in my element when someone throws something my way and says 'please figure this out' with little or no information. I love running with it, whether I'm learning something new or drawing from experience.

When I’m not in problem solving mode, I’m in friend mode. Happiness is hanging out with friends, be it virtually on my computer or in person playing tabletop games.

I joined the team in 2014, drawn in by the strong sense of team support that I both recognized and valued. My focus includes assisting small businesses, individual clients, and specializing in Estate & Trust Tax Preparation. Within our workplace, I'm recognized as the go-to person for Estate and Trust Issues.

My role is not just about numbers; it's about fostering strong client relationships. Interacting with our clients is the most rewarding aspect of my job. I am dedicated to ensuring they receive the highest quality service, and I take great pride in being a part of the team that consistently delivers.

Beyond work, I love spending time with my family. I'm passionate about raising my kids to be successful and happy parents. Simplifying life is a priority for me, and I enjoy being outdoors whenever I can.

In my accounting role, I provide bookkeeping and tax returns for a variety of small business clients. I love that my work helps owners run their business more efficiently and I enjoy solving all the little puzzles that come up in accounting.

I joined GW in 2022, looking for a firm that was tech forward and, as a bonus, found a team of really good people.

Outside of work you’ll inevitably find me spending time with my family. I love to crochet and I’m proud to say I’ve made some really cool things! If my out of office is on, I’m probably taking a long road trip, fueled by the required daily dose of coffee and on the lookout for the best breakfast (another passion of mine).

As the Firm Administrator at GW CPA LLP, I’m proud to play a pivotal role in ensuring our team operates seamlessly and efficiently. I’m also the firm’s trusted confidant—our unofficial therapist—always ready with a listening ear and practical solutions to help our people and processes thrive. Supporting our team isn’t just part of my job; it’s a passion.

Since joining GW in 2004, I’ve been driven by the firm’s genuine care for both its clients and employees. We’re more than just colleagues here—we’re truly a family, and I take great pride in fostering that sense of connection and belonging. I’m also committed to mentoring my administrative team, helping them grow and develop their skills to support the firm’s continued success.

Outside of work, I find joy in the simple things: walking along the beach, diving into a great book, spending time with my family, and doting on my beloved fur babies. My children, now grown, are my greatest pride and the heart of everything I do.

I’m the go-to person for problem solving in the GW team. In my job I’m working as a liaison between clients, partners and staff to ensure work is completed accurately and timely.

I love getting the opportunity to talk one on one with our clients and help them unlock understanding in their finances. I get fulfillment from teaching a staff member or client a new skill or concept.

Outside of work you’ll find me spending quality time with friends and family. In a sliding doors alternative of my life, I’d be a filmmaker. My whole family are movie buffs. We even dress up for our annual Oscar Party!

As Accounting Manager, the majority of my time is spent overseeing and managing client accounts. I love problem solving with clients and working with them to help their business grow.

I’m also passionate about growth and personal development. This shows up in my personal life in physical challenges - I work on keeping myself healthy and regularly sign up for challenging walks or runs. It also shows up in the work I do at GW. I’m proud to be involved in helping mentor the team with new employee growth and development.

Outside of work, it’s the simple things for me - family, friends and a healthy dose of travel.

I’m on a mission: to make the accounting profession (specifically public accounting) a place where people want to start and end their career.

And I am mission driven! As managing partner, I’m privileged to lead an amazing team and think big picture about the direction and future of GW CPA. I split my time between making GW the best place to work and supporting clients in making their business the best version of itself. I was the first woman Partner at GW and the first female Managing Partner, and I’m proud of the contribution I’ve made to the accounting profession through mentoring and my involvement with various MACPA and AICPA boards.

I truly love what I do and the people I work with. My GW team is part of my family. Of course, when I am not with the GW family, you’ll find me spending quality time with family friends, my amazing husband, and my sweet furry baby – Cooper.

Our clients are dedicated to their businesses. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing the work I do is a contribution to their success. That work mostly includes preparing client work, tax returns, financial statements, and bookkeeping.

My first major in college was in Forensic Science, and although I ended up taking the accounting path, the love for analyzing and problem solving definitely stuck. I’m the go-to in the team when there’s an accounting problem that needs unraveling and I’m in my element preparing financial statements.

A great day for me would look like relaxing with my family, probably watching sports Formula 1 and football.

Joining the GW CPA team as an Accounting Manager has been a no brainer for me. I was drawn to the firm by its Managing Partner Samantha Bowling’s mission, to make public accounting a better place to work. Having spent my first fifteen years in accounting working for a local government, I knew that I had more to offer and just needed the right space to bloom.

Along my journey, I've earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University, graduate level certificates in Accounting and Financial Management of Organizations, as well as a Master of Science degree in Accounting and Financial Management, from the University of Maryland, University College. I am a Certified Public Accountant, Registered Tax Return Preparer, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. mom to a sixteen year old competitive cheerleader and number seven of eight children. I was born and raised in Takoma Park, MD but will take just about every opportunity presented to get on a plane and sit on a beach. To say that I love to travel is an understatement!

Coming from a large family, I believe in building generational wealth. Growing up watching six older siblings has given me insight on financial lessons that I feel are essential to “adulting,” many often not shared, but that are truly necessary for life. I am thrilled to be at GW, excited about learning from the team and looking forward to the growth that comes from taking on this new venture!

From the minute I stepped into GW, I knew this place was where I was meant to be. I love the feeling of family that is so prevalent here.

In my role as Client Relations Specialist it’s my job to guide people to the right places with a smile on my face! I love helping people. Especially if they appreciate it. I have clients I remember that remember me and they bring a smile to my face. That’s my goal. To give everyone a wonderful client experience.

I’m very outspoken about mental health advocacy, discussion, and ending the stigma. Telling my own mental health story gives me the chance to connect to people who may need that helping hand.

Honestly, just being helpful to anyone: coworker, friend, client or stranger brings me great joy.