Forty Under 40: Michelle Hurst

After taking a high school accounting class, Michelle Hurst knew she wanted to be an accountant. Originally from Southwest City, Mo., Hurst was intrigued with business while working at her family’s John Deere dealership and on the family farm.

Graduating in business administration with an accounting emphasis from the University of Arkansas in 2004, Hurst interned at BKD in 2005, and went full-time as an associate at the Fort Smith office. She moved to the Rogers office when it opened in January 2009.

On June 1, 2022, BKD merged with DHG, creating Forvis and becoming No. 8 among professional services firms in the country. On the same day, Hurst was elected to be a partner.

Hurst’s organizational skills and ability to manage multiple things simultaneously allow her to succeed. “Building relationships with my clients and being able to solve problems alongside them is important to me,” she said.

The audit partner for the commercial products group, Hurst helps business clients when they need an audit, ensuring they are well-served. She also “helps connect the dots within the organization” to make sure clients’ wide variety of needs are taken care of, anything from cyber security to wealth advisers. In addition, Hurst coordinates and leads Forvis’ Arkansas benefits plan audit practice, serving as the co-champion for BKD’s diversity and inclusion initiative since its launch in 2014.

After losing their first set of twins in 2014, Hurst and her husband established a foundation to provide equipment to allow families more time with their newborns after their passing. To date, they’ve donated eight devices to area hospitals.

Hurst enjoys hanging out with her husband, second set of twins and 2-year-old girl.