About Us
At The Walls Group, small business is our passion.
We focus on small and mid-sized businesses at all stages from inception to exit. Our experienced team of professionals can help you navigate today's increasingly complex business environment with the knowledge, energy, and careful attention to detail that your business deserves, nurturing growth and shielding you from pitfalls – freeing you from accounting headaches to focus on doing what you love.
- Accounting system development
- Budgeting and cash flow analysis
- Business planning services
- Business startup services
- Cash management services
- CFO services
- Financing services
- Financing analysis
- Fraud services
- Litigation support
Our Team
Mellanee Walls, CPA
Founding Partner
Mellanee Walls, CPA and founding partner of Hutchinson & Walls now The Walls Group, is our fearless leader. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1994 after graduating from Tennessee Temple University in 1992 with her BS in accounting. Since founding the firm in 2001, her life has changed in some ways, but in others, it’s just the same. She’s still devoted to her family and active in her church. Currently, she maintains her CPA license in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Tennessee Society of CPAs, and the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute. She is a strong supporter of small business and is dedicated to helping business owners achieve their financial goals.
Beth Siggers
Tax Administration & Processes Supervisor
Beth always goes the extra mile to assist our clients while also ensuring project set up and processes are done correctly. Beth is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. Before joining The Walls Group, Beth held various accounting and financial positions. This extensive background has made her an invaluable member of our team. Beth lives in Ringgold with her husband, Mike. After hours, you may find Beth in a Zumba class or running down a road. She hopes one day to add “Marathon Finisher” to her list of accomplishments.
Sheila Thomas
Client Care Coordinator
Sheila joined The Walls Group in the fall of 2022. She loves interacting with people which makes her the perfect fit for her position as Client Care Coordinator. Her background includes retail, law enforcement and banking. Sheila and her husband have been married for 35 years and currently pastor a church in North GA. Sheila is devoted to her family and church and enjoys music, golf, and baking.
Sonya Keller, EA
Tax Accountant & QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program Elite
Sonya has been with the firm since 2007. She is an accountant with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program Elite certification. She graduated from Chattanooga State with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting Technology and the Outstanding Accounting Graduate Award. Before completing her degree in accounting, she managed restaurants for 10 years in Johnson City and Chattanooga, TN. Management comes easy with a Marine Corps background “using that oorah attitude”. On her off days you will find her with her family at many local sporting events, serving the Red Bank Community Pantry, or helping with church activities.
Charlotte Dennis
Staff Accountant, QuickBooks Online Advanced ProAdvisor
Charlotte joined our team in 2020. Her career includes 18 years co-owning a local business with her husband and software implementations with accounting system integration. Charlotte is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a small business advocate. She loves spending free time with her family and watching college football.
Bernadette Bales
Staff Accountant, QuickBooks Pro Advisor
Bernie guides her clients to worry-free processes and reporting. Bernie began her career in Mechanical Drafting and made the switch to accounting in 2001. She is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and has been with the firm since 2007. She loves making and fixing things and excels at building strong relationships with the small business clients to whose success she is devoted.
Curt Sayre
Staff Accountant
Curt is one of our seasonal tax preparers who has been with us for 8 years. He has the heart of a teacher & the brain of a mathematician. He is a retired pastor and educator who enjoys traveling with his wife and puppy.
Angela Christian, EA
Tax Accountant
Angela "Angie" joined our group in the spring of 2022 with 30 years of experience in the tax preparation field. She moved to the Chattanooga area in 1991 and is married with 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. On weekends she loves to cook, paint, and spend time with her family.
Pam Riggins
Staff Accountant
Susan Cole
Senior Staff Accountant
Susan joined The Walls Group in March 2024. She recently graduated with a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is pursuing her CPA license. Additionally, she is working towards achieving QuickBooks ProAdvisor status. Susan has a background that includes 10 years of accounting experience with a local manufacturer. She is married and has a daughter who resides in Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor hiking, bonfires, volunteering at her church, and playing with her three dogs.
Jessica Vaughn
Administrative Assistant
Jessica Vaughn is a valuable member of the administrative team at The Walls Group, CPAs. She joined the firm in August 2024 and brings over 12 years of administrative experience with backgrounds in the Healthcare and nonprofit ministry sectors. Jessica is a talented client care professional with expertise in data entry, organization, and social media management. She is a team player who is always willing to help out her colleagues and clients. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two beautiful children. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, vacationing, and singing on the praise team at church.