Accel Tax & Business Services combines the dedicated client service expected from a small firm with the experience and capabilities typically found in larger ones. It is this combination that has established our Charleston/Mt. Pleasant based firm for growing businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals and individuals with traditional, special or unique tax, accounting and business advisory needs.
Our team of professionals combine their collective experience and knowledge in finance, accounting and the law to serve and deliver industry specific solutions to the unique challenges and issues that our business clients face.
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Burt Hodges, CPA, CFP Managing Partner
Originally from Albany, Georgia, Burt holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Business Administration from The Citadel. Burt is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), licensed in the state of South Carolina and Virginia. Burt is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Burt has been a founding partner with Accel since 2004.
Burt brings 25 years of experience in tax planning, corporate, partnership and individual tax preparation along with an extensive background in small business accounting and planning. Burt served as Chief Financial Officer for a publicly traded medical device manufacturer for two years.
Burt lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife and daughter along with two sons currently attending Clemson University. In his free time, Burt enjoys running, triathlons, attending Georgia Bulldogs football games, cooking and trying to make things grow in his yard.
Berkeley D’Alton, Partner
Originally from Petersburg, Virginia, Berkeley holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 2009, Berkeley began his accounting career with Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2007.
Since 2010, Berkeley has been a practicing accountant in the Charleston area, serving clients across various industries. He brings extensive expertise in individual and business tax return preparation, small business accounting, finance, and tax planning. Licensed to represent taxpayers before all levels of the IRS, Berkeley joined Accel in 2023.
Berkeley resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife, two sons, and an ever-growing number of pets that mysteriously appear when he’s out of town. In his free time, he enjoys the beach, playing tennis, running, and watching basketball and football, as well as cheering on his sons in whatever sport they’re playing.
Bernard Akerman, Senior Tax Manager
Bernie joined Accel in December 2024 after serving as a Tax Manager at national and local firms in Miami, Florida for many years.
Bernie is an Enrolled Agent, allowing him to represent the Firm’s clients before the Internal Revenue Service and South Carolina Department of Revenue.
When not involved with taxes and developing tax strategies for his clients he enjoys spending time with his family and rooting for the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins.
Rhonda Baldrick, Senior Staff Accountant
Rhonda rejoined Accel in 2019 as our senior staff accountant and QuickBooks expert. She has over 25 years of bookkeeping, payroll tax, and sales tax experience working with both private companies and accounting firms. She helps clients navigate the intricacies of small business bookkeeping–from bank reconciliations to journal entries–and offers one-on-one QuickBooks training sessions for those clients who choose to perform their own bookkeeping or just need advice on a particular issue. She is passionate about spending time with her family which includes her two fur babies.
Denise Vaughan, Operations Manager
Denise joined Accel in 2020. She is a prior retail business owner, owning multiple locations, along with working many years in the accounting, tax and legal fields. Before her move to Charleston, Denise was the Executive Assistant of a Tennessee CPA firm where she administered over 250 client files, scheduled client meetings, coordinated appointments, and drove efficient client relations. In addition to those roles, Denise coordinates all activities related to income tax return e-filing, including the gathering of client tax data, preliminary tax data entry, and final delivery of tax documents. She also handles various bookkeeping projects and is your main point of contact at the firm. When she’s not at the office, Denise loves to travel and spend time with her family. She is an outdoor enthusiast, music lover and cook.
Jeana Slade, QuickBooks-Certified Bookkeeper
Jeana Slade is an Independent QuickBooks-Certified Bookkeeper with 18 years of hands-on experience helping businesses streamline their finances. Her expertise spans diverse industries, including manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, medical, and tech, where she has built a reputation for accuracy, reliability, and insightful financial guidance.
When she’s not crunching numbers or collaborating with clients, Jeana treasures quality time with her husband of 37 years and their three incredible adult children. A passionate home chef and baker, she finds joy in creating delicious meals and exploring culinary history through her growing collection of antique cookbooks. Jeana’s love of learning, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence make her a valuable partner for businesses seeking to reach their financial goals.
Mickaela Harris, Client Information Coordinator
Mickaela obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from College of Charleston where she graduated cum laude. She joined the Accel team early 2024. Mickaela handles the collection and organization of tax preparation documents, creates and submits reports, and updates client data in software programs. Additionally, she assists with the assembly of income tax returns, e-filing, and client communications. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, working out, and reading. You might also find her with a coffee in her hand, trying eclectic cuisines, visiting with family and friends, or hanging out with her dog and husband.