Chandler Brewer
Audit manager
TaylorChandler CPAs and Consultants
Personal bio: As a North Alabama native, I live in Montgomery with my wife and dog. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and staying active. I particularly enjoy golf, cooking, and keeping up with anything sports related, especially if it involves Alabama football.
Professional profile: I graduated summa cum laude from Troy University with a BS in Accounting. I started working at TaylorChandler CPAs as a staff accountant in the audit and tax department servicing clients in the traditional and captive insurance industries.
While working at TaylorChandler, I stayed at Troy University and earned a Master of Accountancy. Upon finishing my studies, I became a licensed certified public accountant (CPA).
Currently, I’m an audit manager at TaylorChandler overseeing the planning and execution of all attestation engagements, including traditional insurance companies, pure captives, and segregated cell structures
In addition, I assist in the financial reporting and quarterly and annual compilation of numerous captives and risk retention groups, ensuring compliance with statutory accounting principles (SAP) and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
How did you end up in the captive industry?
When I began working as a staff accountant, I had never heard of captive insurance companies or even alternative risk for that matter. I was introduced to them fairly quickly while working at TaylorChandler and began to learn more and more about the industry. Over time, it was easy to appreciate the value that I was able to add to captive owners of all different sizes and complexity levels. I learned early on that no two captives are the same and that each one presents a different challenge from an accounting and auditing perspective — and I really enjoyed that challenge.
What has been your highlight in the captive industry so far?
My biggest highlight so far has been being able to perform a professional service that adds value to a client’s company and operations. I always like to tell our clients that their auditor is not the bad guy, and that we are a great resource when they encounter a difficult or complex transaction, whether it’s a question of how to deal with a new reinsurance contract, or how a certain event will affect their financial statements in the current year and in subsequent years. The satisfaction that comes from being able to provide warranted, insightful advice to a client is hard to beat.
What/who have been your influences in the captive industry?
This is a difficult question for me because I feel like there are so many people that have influenced and guided me through the captive industry. Being able to work under Norman Chandler around someone who has so much genuine passion and expert knowledge of the captive industry is infectious. It is apparent that his passion has shaped the culture at TaylorChandler and created an environment that promotes learning and creativity.
What is your impression of the industry?
My impression is that the captive industry is unlike any other. It can provide business owners of all sizes with real solutions and can be tailored to address such a wide range of pain points for a business that its value is nearly limitless.
The business environment of the industry is also very unique. The relationships that it fosters on a professional level are unparalleled.
The sphere of influence for a captive ranges from state regulators, accountants, actuaries, lawyers, underwriters, claims administrators, and many more. The opportunity, as a professional, to make so many connections and relationships is invaluable.
What are your aspirations for your career in the captive industry?
My aspirations for my career in the captive industry are fairly simple. I want to learn and grow as much as possible so that I can provide the highest level of service to our clients. As I hit on earlier, there is such an opportunity for problem solving in this industry, and that opportunity is really only limited by your own knowledge. I want to be able to help our clients succeed and to get the most out of their captive.
What advice do you have for someone considering a role in the industry?
My advice for anyone thinking about getting into the captive industry would be to dive in headfirst. As I’ve said, there are so many roles within this industry and with the growth that the industry as a whole is experiencing, there are few better opportunities like this for a young professional. I would say, if you have an engaging mind and thrive on critical thinking and problem solving, you will excel.
Todd Baitsholts, chief financial officer, North Carolina Retail Merchants Association “Over the past few years, I’ve utilised TaylorChandler CPAs and Consultants for auditing services for my cell captive.
Todd Baitsholts, chief financial officer, North Carolina Retail Merchants Association “Over the past few years, I’ve utilised TaylorChandler CPAs and Consultants for auditing services for my cell captive. Chandler and his audit team have continued to enhance and expand their service offerings to stay on top of the constant changes in the market and in my business. With his extensive knowledge in auditing as well as keen attention to detail and efficiency in reporting, Chandler has led the TaylorChandler audit team to be a valuable asset to my business. I look forward to continuing our relationship in the years to come and witnessing Chandler continue to evolve into a driving force in the captive industry.”
