Chris Hight, Principal, Baker Tilly US
In an interview with Invest:, Chris Hight, principal of Baker Tilly US, discussed leadership transition, smart growth, workplace culture, and the future of accounting. “Clients want more than outputs — they want guidance,” he said.
How are client expectations evolving, and how is your team adapting to meet them?
Clients are everything. Without them, there’s no business. For me, the key is communication — being in front of clients, understanding their needs, sitting down with them, and learning about their businesses. That kind of connection goes far beyond doing a tax return or some accounting work once or twice a year.
There’s a lot of uncertainty — tariffs, regulatory changes, global events. We need to be out there, having conversations, making sure we’re ready to help clients navigate whatever comes their way.
How would you describe the business climate in Middle Tennessee?
I give a lot of credit to our state’s political leaders for creating a business-friendly environment. Tennessee is a place where companies and people want to come. Our state leaders have done a great job making Tennessee attractive to businesses and individuals, especially given that we don’t have a state income tax.
Of course, growth brings challenges. One of the biggest concerns I hear about is housing costs. Even outside of Nashville, prices are rising. How does someone just out of college afford a home? There’s a lot of construction, apartments, and multifamily units to keep up with demand, but it’s tough.
Still, Tennessee has done a great job. We’ve attracted a lot of people and companies from out of state. And with Nashville being known for healthcare, we’ve got world-class hospitals and a strong presence in healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and intellectual property.
How is technology reshaping accounting and advisory services?
When I started 30 years ago, we did everything by hand, adding figures with a calculator. Now, technology handles that in seconds. We can automate reports, pull data directly from clients’ systems, and scan documents straight into tax software — things that used to be manual and time-consuming. That shift has made us more efficient.
Technology will continue to evolve, but staying ahead of that change is tough and costly. As we automate more, roles will shift from compliance to consulting. That’s where growth is happening.
Clients want more than outputs, they want guidance. For example, while our tax team can prepare returns, the value we bring to our clients is meeting with them ahead of time to develop strategies that save them money. Valuation and other advisory areas are also growing. The future is about being strategic partners, not just service providers.
What are your key priorities in the coming years, and where do you see growth opportunities in Tennessee?
We’re in a competitive market, but I believe we have a strong firm and an exceptional team. One of my top priorities is raising our visibility and building relationships with the new companies and professionals relocating to Tennessee.
We’re focused on smart, intentional growth, not just expanding for expansion’s sake. That means being active in the community, serving on boards, and building centers of influence. We want to grow our service offerings and, when the right opportunities arise, expand our presence, as we did in Chattanooga in 2020. But it’s important to do so without compromising the culture we’ve built.
Another focus is ensuring long-term stability by putting clear policies and processes in place. I’m following in the footsteps of someone who led for over 30 years. That’s a big transition. While I bring different experiences and strengths, my goal is to lead authentically and build on the strong foundation that’s already in place.
