Russell Bauknight, CPA, recognized as one of the Palmetto state’s most influential and impactful leaders
January 5, 2026
South Carolina is among the top destinations in the United States for those seeking business opportunities and a better quality of life. While Zillow, Yelp, and ChatGPT are helpful in finding desirable neighborhoods, homes and restaurants, how do newcomers find the people they need to know most professionally and personally?
SCBIZ has solved this dilemma with the debut of the South Carolina 500, the first-ever curated list of the Palmetto State’s most influential and impactful leaders in business, nonprofits, government, and higher education. The list of bonafide movers and shakers across the state and two dozen diverse industries was released December 15. Front and center in the Accounting category is Russell Bauknight, one of just 14 Certified Public Accountants selected based on career achievement, impact and leadership.
Bauknight, who recently established an advisory firm for private businesses, high-net-worth individuals and estates that serves clients in the Palmetto State and nationally, has spent the majority of his 45-year career in South Carolina. Early in his career he served as a tax accountant with Clarkson, Hardin & Gantt, a respected local accounting firm in Columbia, S.C., before rising to senior tax manager with Ernst & Young, a global Big Four advisory firm.
In 1991, Bauknight joined Columbia-based BPS CPAs as a shareholder. While building a powerful clientele advising privately held family companies and high-net-worth individuals on business, estate and trust administration, he also served as BPS’ managing shareholder from 2019-2024, a period that saw the firm emerge as one of the largest privately held CPA firms in the Southeast. In 2025, Bauknight was recognized by Forbes as being among the top CPAs in America.
Bauknight’s career reflects a deep commitment to professional and community service. He was deeply involved with Prime Global, an international association of independent accounting and business advisory firms, serving on the boards of Prime Global’s North American Board and World Board. Bauknight has personally mentored hundreds of accounting students from the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. He currently serves on the board of the James Brown I Feel Good Trust among others. Past community and professional service includes the Central Carolina Community Foundation (board member), Executives Association of Greater Columbia (board member and past president, and the Rotary Club of Lake Murray Irmo (past president).
Additionally, Bauknight invested thousands of hours with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department as an unpaid law enforcement officer, rising to the rank of captain when he retired in 2018.
Inclusion in SCBIZ’s inaugural South Carolina 500 list is an unexpected honor, says Bauknight. “I’ve always measured my success by how well I am able to help my clients with often difficult or complex matters and how well I served others in the community. Lifting others up is my ultimate goal.”
Russell Bauknight Advisory is located in West Columbia, S.C.
The SCBIZ South Carolina 500 is an editorial-driven project based on initial online recommendations followed by in depth research and selection by SCBIZ editors and staff. The South Carolina 500 is not an award or an endorsement; it’s simply a recognition of individuals in South Carolina who hold positions of power.
