The Firm

Bourgeois Bennett's history began on February 1, 1923 when Sidney S. Bourgeois, Jr., our founding partner and one of the state's first certified public accountants (holding Louisiana CPA license #218), started a practice in the National American Bank Building in the New Orleans central business district.

As the firm grew and partners were added, the name changed several times - Bourgeois Russell & Company (1942); Bourgeois, Russell, Harmon & Company(1945); Bourgeois, Russell, Harmon & Toups (1946) and Bourgeois, Russell, Toups & Company (1947). In 1949, the firm went back to Bourgeois, Russell & Company - the name it would use until 1964.

Charles Bennett, Jim Thokey and Maunsel Hickey joined the firm in 1947. Bennett and Thokey were admitted as Partners in 1951. Upon his return from active duty with the U. S. Navy during the Korean War, Hickey was admitted in 1955. In 1964, the firm name changed to reflect its Managing Partners - Bourgeois, Bennett, Thokey and Hickey, and continued under that name for the next 30 years.

The shortened form, "Bourgeois Bennett" was the name used by most people when referring to the firm. So, it was no surprise that in 1994, it was formally adopted following the firm's new status as a "limited liability company." The "new" name was simpler and allowed for clearer communication.

Bourgeois Bennett has enjoyed a long and prosperous history in both itsown business and in its contribution to our community. It is heavily involved in community service, civic, religious and professional organizations throughout the region, state, country and world. Five of its current and former Members served as President of the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants; several have served on various boards of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the AGN International, a professional association of CPA firms throughout the world.

Locally, we are proud to be involved in our community. Here's a list of some of the organizations we support with our time, talent and treasury:

American Red Cross
Archdiocese of New Orleans School Board
Association of Employee Benefit Planners
Boys Hope Girls Hope
Bright School
Board of Trade
Bureau of Governmental Research
Campfire Boys and Girls
Catholic Charities Association
Contemporary Arts Center
Crimestoppers
Boy Scouts of America
East Jefferson Business Association
Elmwood Business Association
Fore! Kids Foundation
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
GPOA Foundation
Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce
Information Technology Alliance
Institute of Mental Hygiene
Jefferson Chamber
Jefferson Performing Arts Society
Jefferson Young Leaders
Jewish Endowment Foundation
Junior Achievement
Junior League
Kiwanis Club of Houma
K Bar B Youth Ranch

Legatus of New Orleans
Louisiana Association of Business & Industry
Louisiana Technology Council
Louisiana Restaurant Association
Leadership Terrebonne
Loyola Alumni Association
Magnolia School
Metropolitan Area Committee
New Orleans Estate Planning Council
Rotary Clubs International
Sisters of St. Joseph
St. Michael's Special School
South Central Industrial Association
Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce
Touro Infirmary Foundation
Tulane Association of Business Alumni
Tulane Accounting Advisory Council
United Way
UNO Accounting Advisory Council
UNO Alumni Association
UNO Business Council
United Cerebral Palsy
Volunteers of American
Visiting Nurses Association
WYES-TV
Women's Professional Council
World Trade Center
Young Leadership Council

At Bourgeois Bennett, we help private companies, governments, non-profits and individuals thrive in the shifting circumstances of our times. Our clients are diverse, yet they have found something in common at Bourgeois Bennett. They know we will work with each of them to design and implement financial strategies, set goals, solve problems, seize opportunities and celebrate success. And, they know we've done so since 1923.