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LBMC’s David Morgan Combines Wine Connoisseurship with Accounting

For David Morgan, co-founder and co-managing partner of LBMC, a top-50 accounting firm in Nashville, there is a strong similarity between his work and his long-time passion, Bordeaux wines.

“Any body of knowledge requires constant reading and learning,” said Morgan. “In accounting, every year there are rule changes to study, among other things. To understand the wine industry every year you have to study a new product—it’s called a vintage and it’s affected by things like the weather and the location of the vineyard.”

With Bordeaux wines, often called the King of Wines, the learning curve is particularly steep. Morgan has been working at it for around 25 years and said he is fortunate to be part of a group of like-minded enthusiasts, the Commanderie de Bordeaux, for which he serves as Grand Argentier, or national treasurer. He is also Maitre, or leader, of the Nashville chapter. The Commanderie travels every other year to the French region of Bordeaux, where the wines are exclusively produced, to meet with vintners and growers. “I have had the opportunity to drink Bordeaux wines that were over 100 years old, tasting heritage and history,” Morgan said. “They were excellent.”

Morgan has also taken his interest in wine in another direction—helping in the fight against cancer. For many years he has been a leader with the Nashville Wine Auction, which last year raised nearly $1 million for research and service to cancer patients.

Both LBMC and the Commanderie are celebrating significant anniversaries this year. LBMC will turn 30 and the Nashville chapter of the Commanderie celebrates 25. Both get better with age.  One can only imagine what is next in the chapter of wine and accounting. One thing is for certain, according to Morgan, “a good wine really does make life better.”

Besides wine, Morgan has a wide range of experience in accounting, auditing, and tax. In addition to working with family owned businesses, he also heads LBMC’s Family Office practice, where he works with high wealth individuals and family groups.  Services provided to these individuals include personal financial planning, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance consulting and investment advisory services. His experience in managing the Firm has also allowed him to gain general business expertise that he shares with companies with which he consults.  In 2008, David was named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.

Morgan is a summa cum laude graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a degree in accounting. He has continued his education through ongoing professional education programs offered by various professional groups. In addition, he holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the American Institute of CPAs. He is also a licensed life and health insurance agent.

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