David E. Thiem CPA

PARTNER

dethiem@tmwcpas.com

David E. Thiem, CPA, is a partner of Thiem McCutcheon Winkler. He has been certified as a public accountant since 1969. Previously, Mr. Thiem was a partner at Thiem, Jackson & Pace and served as its chairman from 1984-2009. He was also a partner with McKnight & Frampton from 1969-1984, serving part of that time as a Managing Partner, and an associate before that from 1963-1969.

David attended the University of Texas before serving in the United States Navy. He ultimately received his Bachelor of Management Arts degree from Charleston Southern University, graduating summa cum laude.

J. Ben McCutcheon III CPA

PARTNER

jbm@tmwcpas.com

J. Ben McCutcheon, III, CPA, is a partner of Thiem McCutcheon Winkler, CPAs, PA. He has been certified as a public accountant since 2005 and has worked in the accounting industry since 1998. Previously, Ben was a staff accountant at Gamble Givens and Moody from 1998-2002 and an associate at Thiem, Jackson & Pace from 2002-2009.

Ben attended The Citadel, where he earned the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting concentration.

Ben belongs to several professional associations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA).

Ben and his wife, Erin, reside in Johns Island with their two children. He is originally from Lake City, SC, but has lived in the Charleston area since graduating from college. He has been active in the community including being on the Finance Committee of his Homeowners Association. Ben is a member of St. James Episcopal Church and various Citadel Associations.

Sam Winkler CPA, CFP

PARTNER

swinkler@tmwcpas.com

Sam Winkler, CPA, CFP® is a partner of Thiem McCutcheon Winkler, CPAs, PA.  He has been a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 2012 and has worked in the accounting industry since graduating in 2010. Previously, Sam worked at Faulk & Winkler in Baton Rouge, LA and Dixon Hughes Goodman in Charleston, SC before starting his own CPA firm in October 2016. Sam merged his CPA firm with Thiem McCutcheon Winkler, CPAs, PA in January 2021. In addition to his work as a CPA, Sam is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional and holds his FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations with Cetera Advisors.  

Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, Sam attended the College of Charleston and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Sam was a collegiate swimmer at the College of Charleston and helped the school win two conference championships during his time.

Sam and his wife, Lauren, reside in Mt. Pleasant with their two children, Will and Sullivan.

Ben Scott CPA

DIRECTOR

bscott@tmwcpas.com

Ben began his professional career in 1978 at McKnight Frampton & Buskirk, CPAs in Charleston as a staff accountant and earned his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification in 1980. Ben then worked as the assistant controller of Ruscon Corporation, an international building contractor, until 1982. He then started his own CPA firm that merged into Scott & Legare CPAs in 1988. He sold his interest in this firm in 1996 and began working as an equity owner in a maritime service and contracting business operating in the Port of Charleston. The company was a contract service provider for the Department of Homeland Security, and it grew from 10 to over 30 employees by 2006. That year, Ben sold his ownership in this business and launched Benjamin Scott CPA LLC. In January 2024, he merged his firm with Thiem McCutcheon Winkler CPAs, where he is a firm Director.

Ben has been a resident of the Charleston area all his life. He is a graduate of Clemson University where he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Industrial Management. Ben and his wife, Lauren, reside in Mt. Pleasant with their two dogs, Teddy and Riley. They have four adult children and two grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, playing tennis and Clemson football.

Mandi Steinhagen CPA

Senior ACCOUNTANT

msteinhagen@tmwcpas.com

Mandi Steinhagen joined our firm in June 2022, bringing valuable experience as a Staff Accountant, a role she held after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. To further enhance her expertise, Mandi pursued additional accounting education through Louisiana State University’s online program and earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in August 2024. Upon receiving her CPA license, she was promoted to Senior Accountant.

Mandi contributes to providing comprehensive tax and accounting services for both individuals and businesses. Her responsibilities include preparing and reviewing tax returns, managing bookkeeping services, and assisting with training initiatives, both internally and externally. Additionally, she supports the firm’s technology needs, manages social media efforts, and helps out anywhere else she is needed.

Outside of work, Mandi enjoys spending her time on the beach or out on the boat. Originally from a small town in Illinois, she now resides in North Charleston with her boyfriend, Matthew, and their four cats and two dogs—Goose and Honey. Be sure to stop by and say hello to Mandi and her beloved dog, Honey!

Chrystal O’Brien

CLIENT ACCOUNTING SERVICES DIRECTOR

cobrien@tmwcpas.com

Chrystal is an experienced bookkeeping professional and the proud owner of her own firm which she merged with TMW in 2024. Chrystal specializes in helping small businesses streamline their financial operations. With a passion for numbers and a keen eye for detail, she has built a reputation for providing reliable and personalized bookkeeping services. Her hands-on experience in running small businesses allows her to offer tailored solutions that help clients not only stay organized but also grow confidently. Chrystal’s friendly yet professional approach ensures that her clients always feel supported and understood in their financial journeys.

Meredith Rawles

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

mrawles@tmwcpas.com

Meredith joined the team in December 2014. She has over 35 years of tax preparation experience focusing on individuals, small business, and payroll. Meredith has worked for various CPA firms in several states during her career. She worked at a large regional CPA firm in Baltimore for nine years before moving to South Carolina in 1993.

Meredith graduated with a BA from Converse College in 1976. Post-graduation, she also attended Tidewater Community College, Old Dominion University, and University of Baltimore gaining additional knowledge in taxation and accounting.

Victoria (Torry) Dotson

FIDUCIARY SPECIALIST

vdotson@tmwcpas.com

Torry joined our firm as a fiduciary/probate specialist in 2018. She comes to us with over 30 years’ experience in probate conservatorship appointments, estate administration, and trust account management. During her employment at regional as well as national bank trust departments, she held numerous positions such as Trust Officer, Vice President, Trust Compliance Officer, Trust Management Committee Chair, and Manager of First Federal’s (now known as South State) Trust Department for the Carolinas.

Torry is a graduate of The College of Charleston and The Southeastern Trust School. She is a former member of the Estate Planning Council of Charleston where she served in various capacities including President. For nine years beginning with its inception, she was the Treasurer for a local charitable organization, Mental Health HEROES, which is one of her most meaningful accomplishments. Torry is a member of Nativity Catholic Church and lives on James Island.

Terri Wilkinson

OFFICE MANAGER

twilkinson@tmwcpas.com

Mrs. Wilkinson joined our firm in 2011 as our Office Manager. She attended the University of South Carolina and had previously worked in banking. Terri manages all the administrative work for the firm. This includes client correspondence, processing tax returns, firm bookkeeping, new client set up, filing, scheduling, billing, and whatever else we throw at her! She also assists with the Conservatorships that go through TMW.

When Terri is not at the firm, you’ll find her on the beach at her residence in Murrells Inlet. She has two children and five grandchildren, all of whom she enjoys spending time with at the beach. Terri will be the first smiling face you see when you come into our office!

Rachel Pendarvis

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

rpendarvis@tmwcpas.com

Rachel joined our firm in December 2022. She has previously worked as a Staff Accountant since she graduated from Clemson in December 2017. There she received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is currently pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. Rachel assists with providing tax and accounting services for individuals and businesses. She prepares tax returns and all bookkeeping services.

Rachel is originally from right here in Mount Pleasant, SC. She is a graduate of Wando High School. She is a member of Charleston Young Professionals and Holy City Toastmasters.

Savannah White

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

swhite@tmwcpas.com

Savannah joined our firm in December 2024, bringing a strong academic background and a dedication to excellence. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Daytona State College in August 2023, followed by a second Bachelor of Science in Finance from Florida State University in August 2024, graduating Magna Cum Laude from both institutions.

Currently pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Savannah plays a key role in delivering tax and accounting services to both individuals and businesses. Her expertise includes preparing tax returns and providing comprehensive bookkeeping services.

Originally from Ormond Beach, FL, Savannah relocated to Charleston after graduating from FSU. She now resides on Daniel Island with her aunt and uncle. Outside of work, Savannah enjoys cooking, shopping, and relaxing on the boat.