Roanoke Office

319 McClanahan St SW
Roanoke, VA
24014-7705
Tel: (540) 345-0936
Fax: (540) 342-6181
Map & Directions

Brown Edwards has been a part of the Virginia and West Virginia communities for almost 50 years. Our Roanoke staff supports both individuals and businesses, guiding them through the complexities of tax and financial matters as they move toward achieving their goals.

Our tax professionals assist families with tax and financial planning. We are also engaged in the business community, working with financial institutions, not-for-profits, employee benefit plan programs, and closely-held entities.

Many mid-Atlantic area private colleges and universities rely on the firm’s Education and Not-for-Profit Services Team to mitigate tax liabilities, ensure compliance, and improve their operations. In many ways, this is a personal relationship for staff members, as several have received their degrees from Virginia institutions of higher learning. We guide our clients through auditing financial statements, reviewing internal controls, managing student financial aid issues, considering debt offerings, and other challenges.

Many of our CPAs have been recognized as Super CPAs by Virginia Business magazine and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA). They have also distinguished themselves through their involvement in the community, including volunteer organizations, civic groups, and other associations.

We invite you to meet our Roanoke team, call or come by the office to learn more about us.

Contact Us

Roanoke TeamMeet our Partners and Directors

  • John S. Aldridge, CPA
    John S. Aldridge, CPA
    Partner
  • Jeffrey G. Barbour, MSA, CPA
    Jeffrey G. Barbour, MSA, CPA
    Partner
  • Christopher A. Banta, CPA
    Christopher A. Banta, CPA
    Partner
  • C. Scott Clarke, CPA, CCIFP, CMA, CCA
    C. Scott Clarke, CPA, CCIFP, CMA, CCA
    Partner
  • Charles Equi, Jr., CPA, CVA
    Charles Equi, Jr., CPA, CVA
    Director
  • Richard E. Hedley, Jr., CPA
    Richard E. Hedley, Jr., CPA
    Partner
  • John C. Hash, II, CPA
    John C. Hash, II, CPA
    Partner
  • Jason A. Hartman, CPA
    Jason A. Hartman, CPA
    Partner, CEO
  • Patrick T. Murtaugh, CPA
    Patrick T. Murtaugh, CPA
    Partner
  • Melissa C. Stanley, CPA
    Melissa C. Stanley, CPA
    Partner
  • M. Christopher Wingfield, CPA
    M. Christopher Wingfield, CPA
    Partner
  • Mark E. Wiseman, CPA
    Mark E. Wiseman, CPA
    Partner
  • Robert G. Guilliams
    Robert G. Guilliams
    Director
  • Clarence Rhudy, CPA, CISA, CITP
    Clarence Rhudy, CPA, CISA, CITP
    Director
  • Harry Schwarz, CPA, ABV
    Harry Schwarz, CPA, ABV
    Principal
  • Jennifer Theimer, CPA, CRCM
    Jennifer Theimer, CPA, CRCM
    Director
  • Michael W. Walton
    Michael W. Walton
    Director
  • James Wienke, CPA, CFF, ABV
    James Wienke, CPA, CFF, ABV
    Director

Visit Our Roanoke Officeor call us to learn more about our firm and our staff, and what we can do for you

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John S. Aldridge, CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936   
jaldridge@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

John is an audit partner based in our Roanoke office.  John’s concentration is related to municipalities, healthcare, and HUD entities; he has extensive experience performing organizational reviews as they relate to internal controls and operations.  He also serves as the area coordinator for our Roanoke and Lynchburg offices and East Region Coordinator for the Firm.

He is a 1993 graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.  John is a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  In addition, he serves as treasurer for the Better Business Bureau, speaks regularly at the Roanoke City Rescue Mission, and  teaches an adult Sunday school class at his church each week.  John was previously named a “Super CPA” by Virginia Business magazine.

Jeffrey G. Barbour, MSA, CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936   
jbarbour@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Jeff works in the Roanoke office and specializes in the taxation of consolidated and multi-state corporations and pass-through entities, corporate mergers and acquisitions, individual taxation, estates and trusts, and small business consulting.  His experience in these areas includes general tax planning, entity formation and exit strategies, purchase price allocations and tax accounting for intangible assets in business transactions, and the research of federal and state compliance solutions. Jeff’s expertise covers a variety of industries including technology, manufacturing, dealerships, distributors, construction and real estate.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2003 with a Master of Accountancy specializing in taxation.  He graduated summa cum laude in 2002 from Averett University, in Danville, Virginia, with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Roanoke Chapter of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Christopher A. Banta, CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936   
cbanta@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Chris is an audit partner based in the Roanoke office. He provides audit services to a wide range of entities including privately owned businesses, municipalities, governmental entities, non-profits, HUD entities, national fraternities, and electric cooperatives. He specializes and coordinates the compliance auditing aspect of the annual audits of municipal and governmental clients including APA compliance and transmittal form preparation, Single Audit compliance, RUS compliance, FAA compliance, and NTD reporting compliance. Chris is also a member of the firm’s peer review services team, providing quality reviews to regional public accounting firms around the country. In addition, he is a Certified Fraud Examiner, providing internal control reviews, fraud examinations, forensic accounting services, and litigation support services.

Chris graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in May 2000.

Chris is actively committed to serving the community through current or past memberships on various community committees or boards including:

• Served in various roles, including President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Grandin Theater   Foundation (2008 – 2014)
• Treasurer of the Virginia Museum of Transportation (2014 – Present)
• Finance Committee member of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia (2014 – Present)
• Kiwanis Club of Roanoke member and Chairman of the Kiwanis Career and Technical Education Scholarship Program (2012-Present)

He is a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner, the Government Finance Officers Association, the Virginia Government Finance Officers Association, and the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives. Chris has also previously been named a “Super CPA” by Virginia Business magazine.

C. Scott Clarke, CPA, CCIFP, CMA, CCA
Partner
Scott Clarke
(540) 345-0936   
sclarke@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Scott is a partner in the Roanoke office of Brown Edwards.  He has extensive experience in providing audit, review and compilation services to a wide variety of clientele as well as reviewing and preparing federal and state income tax returns for corporations, partnerships, individuals, not-for-profits and employee benefit plans.  His clientele include contractors, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, professionals, developers, water companies and not-for profit organizations.

Scott received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Virginia Tech in 1985.  He is past president of the Roanoke Area Chapter of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and a past vice-president of the Southwest Virginia Chapter, Institute of Management Accountants.  Scott is active in charitable organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley.  He recently served as treasurer for Rebuilding Together, Roanoke; EventZone and Roanoke Festival in the Park.

Charles Equi, Jr., CPA, CVA
Director
Charles Equi, Jr.
(540) 345-0936
cequi@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Charles Equi, Jr. is a tax director in the Roanoke office of Brown Edwards. Charles was the managing partner of Johnson, Equi & Co., PLC. prior to its merger with Brown Edwards & Company, L.L.P. in 2015. Charles has over 30 years of experience in accounting, taxes and business advisory services.

Charles is a graduate of Virginia Tech and is a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia. He is also a Certified Valuation Analyst performing business valuations on closely held business and helping his client gain an edge in building value in their businesses. Charles is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. He also serves as a member, and is past president, of the Rotary Club of Roanoke.

Richard E. Hedley, Jr., CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936
rhedley@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Richard is a tax services partner in our Roanoke office and has over 19 years of experience providing tax planning, compliance and advisory services. Prior to joining Brown Edwards, Richard was a partner in one of the top 20 firms in the nation where his areas of expertise included high-net-worth individuals, owner managed business, pass-thru entities, and tax controversy.

Richard has served a wide variety of clients in residential and commercial construction, manufacturing, hospitality, closely-held entities, S corporations, partnerships, LLCs and individuals. In addition, he has experience with representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service.

Richard holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of South Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Richard also serves on the Rotary Club of Roanoke-Downtown and the Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia. He is the Treasurer and serves on the Board for Restoration Housing.

John C. Hash, II, CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936   
jhash@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

John is an assurance and accounting services partner with responsibilities in the Roanoke office of Brown Edwards.  He has over eleven years of experience providing a wide range of services to not-for-profit organizations, particularly private institutions of higher education.  He has significant knowledge of the Student Financial Aid Programs provided by the Department of Education and the compliance testing associated with these programs.  John was recognized as a “Super CPA” by Virginia Business magazine in the government/nonprofit area of practice.

John graduated from James Madison University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jason A. Hartman, CPA
Partner, CEO
(540) 345-0936   
jhartman@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

As CEO, Jason is responsible for executing and promoting the overall strategic plan, growth, and direction of the Firm, as well as overseeing the day-to-day administration and financial management.  Jason served as a partner in the assurance services practice of the Firm and as a member of its peer review services team, providing peer reviews to large regional firms around the country.  Prior to joining Brown Edwards in 1986, Jason was associated with an international accounting firm.  Jason has significant experience with a wide range of industries including local governments, not-for-profits, credit unions, heavy truck and equipment dealers, and manufacturing.

A magna cum laude graduate from Glenville State College with a B.A. in Accounting and Finance, Jason also received an MS in Accounting from James Madison University where he served as a graduate assistant. He is a current board member and audit committee chair of Feeding America Southwest Virginia, and is a past board member and treasurer of the Civitan Club of Roanoke.  Virginia Business magazine has named Jason a “Super CPA’ in the Government and Not-For-Profit area of practice.

Patrick T. Murtaugh, CPA
Partner
Patrick T. Murtaugh
(540) 345-0936   
pmurtaugh@becpas.com
319 McClanahan Street • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7505

Pat is a taxation partner in the Brown Edwards’ Roanoke office. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in accounting, taxation, and various consulting services for a wide variety of clientele, including real estate entities, developers, partnerships, hospitality entities, and manufacturers. Pat regularly assists businesses with local, state, and federal business incentives, grants and tax credits. He consults on real estate matters in structuring of projects for developers and owners while providing compliance services for both the historic rehabilitation tax credit program and the Virginia enterprise zone program.  Pat’s extensive experience allows him to provide clients with the financial guidance needed to meet their goals.

He is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and He is a is  a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.  Prior to joining Brown Edwards, Pat gained his experience as an Office Managing Partner in one of the country’s top 20 CPA firms, a Fortune 500 company and as an auditor of local governments for a regional certified public accounting firm.

Pat serves as Treasurer of both the Roanoke Children’s Theatre and Roanoke Valley Swimming.  He is a past Youth Baseball Coach for the Roanoke County Parks & Rec. and is past Treasurer for Roanoke’s Downtown Learning Center, Inc.  Pat is active in the leadership of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church where he serves as the Finance Council chair. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Accounting.

Melissa C. Stanley, CPA
Partner
Melissa Stanley
(540) 345-0936   
mstanley@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Melissa is an assurance partner in the Roanoke office and has over 25 years of accounting experience. Prior to joining Brown Edwards, Melissa was a partner in one of the top 20 firms in the nation where her practice concentrations were in not-for-profit organizations, employee benefit plan audits, and a variety of closely held businesses, including manufacturers, real estate holding companies, distributors and service organizations.

Melissa’s expertise includes assistance in applying accounting standards in a multitude of situations – from everyday transactions to complex, multi-faceted arrangements. This includes assistance in evaluating and complying with new accounting pronouncements, with particular attention to the organizations’ circumstances and industry. In addition, Melissa is routinely called upon to consult on internal control related matters and is well known for her responsible, team-oriented approach.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Lynchburg College. She is a licensed CPA in the Virginia Commonwealth and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of CPA’s.

M. Christopher Wingfield, CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936   
cwingfield@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Chris is a partner based in the Roanoke office with a focus in corporate, individual, partnership and exempt organization taxation. Chris has worked extensively with tax planning for individuals and entities, mergers and acquisitions, multi-state taxation and international taxation. He provides services related to all aspects of taxation and is a presenter on tax-related issues to various associations and other tax professionals.

Chris is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. He has been named a “Super CPA” in taxation by Virginia Business magazine for several years and serves as treasurer of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mark E. Wiseman, CPA
Partner
(540) 345-0936   
mwiseman@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Mark is an Employee Benefits and Assurance Services Partner in the Roanoke office.  Mark has 29 years of public accounting experience in a wide range of industry niches including employee benefit plans, manufacturing, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, retailers, and various personal service related organizations.  Mark has experience in virtually all service areas including audit, tax, consulting, and financial reporting and has over 25 years of experience in the audit and tax areas of employee benefit plans.

Mark graduated in 1986 from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Institute of Management Accountants.

Robert G. Guilliams
Director
Robert G. Guilliams
(540) 345-0936   
bguilliams@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Bobby serves as the Director of Information Technology for the firm and works in the Roanoke office.  He specializes in information technology including Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, Citrix Xenapp, and VMware, as well as HP and Dell hardware.  His experience in these areas include design and implementation of servers, networking, wireless, storage area networks, backup solutions, security solutions, virtualization, printing and lifecycle management.  Bobby has 20 years of experience in information technology.

Clarence Rhudy, CPA, CISA, CITP
Director
(540) 345-0936
crhudy@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Clarence is a director based in our Roanoke office with over 17 years of public accounting experience in audits and consulting. He specializes in financial institutions, information technology controls, and employee benefit plans.  Clarence also has considerable experience in other industries as well as being part of our public company and PCAOB standards audit teams.  He is a member of the firm’s peer review services team, providing  reviews to regional public accounting firms around the country.

Clarence graduated in 1997 with a Master’s in Accountancy degree from University of Lynchburg, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Concord University.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and ISACA. In addition, he holds the Certified Information Systems Auditor credential through ISACA, and the Certified Information Technology Professional credential through the AICPA.

Harry Schwarz, CPA, ABV
Principal
(540) 345-0936
hschwarz@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Harry is a Principal in the firm’s Roanoke office. Having more than 30 years of experience in the taxation area of the profession, Harry has significant expertise in assisting family owned businesses and individual with their taxation planning. In addition, he is well known for his knowledge in the business valuation and litigation support area working with clients such as the Department of Justice, Norfolk Southern, and many medium and small sized companies. He has also assisted and advised companies in various sales/purchase of business, including transactions as large as $1 Billion. Harry also serves as a wealth advisor in Alliance Wealth Strategies, the firm’s wealth advisory area.

Harry has a Bachelor and Master degrees in Accountancy from Virginia Tech. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants where he received the designation of Accreditation in Business Valuation and Certified in Financial Forensics. He has taught accounting at VA Tech as well as for the AICPA in business valuation and litigation and areas of taxation. He is also a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, is involved in various civic organizations and is a former officiate for NCCA Basketball.

Jennifer Theimer, CPA, CRCM
Director
(540) 345-0936
jtheimer@becpas.com
319 McClanahan Street, S.W. • Roanoke, VA, 24014

Jennifer is a director in the financial institutions practice in the Roanoke office.  Prior to joining Brown Edwards, she was the Chief Administration and Risk Officer (CARO) for a community bank for 11 years where she was responsible for managing strategic, financial and operational risks across the organization.  In addition to enterprise risk management, Jennifer was also involved with strategic planning, vendor management and project management.  In addition, she coordinated the internal audit function.  During her time in the banking industry, she served on various committees at the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) and the Virginia Association of Community Banks (VACB), including functioning as the VBA’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee chairperson for several years. Before entering the banking industry, Jennifer worked in public accounting for 14 years.

Jennifer is a  magna cum laude graduate of Virginia Tech where she received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM).

Michael W. Walton
Director
(540) 345-0936   
mwalton@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

Mike serves as Director of Marketing & Communications for the firm and is based in the Roanoke office. He has over 25 years of successful experience in marketing, sales, consulting and management in several industries including Professional Services and Healthcare. He is an experienced and certified trainer in several sales and marketing strategies, including SPIN and Strategic Selling, as well as Customer Satisfaction, Client Experience, and Management Communication. Mike’s focus throughout his career has been on customer satisfaction and bringing significant value to clients.

He is a graduate of Montana State University – Billings with a degree in History. Mike is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Roanoke Valley and served as a member of the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank Board of Directors from 2003-2005. He has also served as Vice Chair of the parish council at St. Andrews Catholic Church and has been active in Special Olympics and youth baseball in the Roanoke Valley.

James Wienke, CPA, CFF, ABV
Director
(540) 345-0936
jwienke@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705

James is a Director in our Roanoke office. He is a certified public accountant and holds two specialized credentials from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants:  accredited in business valuation (ABV) and certified in financial forensics (CFF). James has worked in public accounting since 1994. Prior to merging with Brown Edwards, he was a Senior Manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman & Company, LLP.  Prior to employment with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, successor to Goodman & Company, LLP, he was employed by the accounting firms Terry, Lockridge & Dunn and Persinger & Company.

TAX SERVICES

James has experience in corporate, pass-through, and individual tax returns.  He is experienced in a variety of industries, including medical and professional practices real estate management and agents, food service, and others.

VALUATION SERVICES

James has experience preparing valuation reports for businesses in a variety of industries including retail, wholesale, service, medical practices, insurance, construction, investment, manufacturing, and technology companies.  The structure of these entities has included corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and family limited partnerships.  He has prepared the reports for a variety of purposes including gift and estate tax, sale of business, issuing of stock options, and divorce and other litigation purposes.

LITIGATION SERVICES

James has been qualified as an expert witness in the Virginia courts and has litigation experience in the area of valuations.

EDUCATION

James has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Wartburg College.  He is a certified public accountant and holds two specialized credentials from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants:  accredited in business valuation (ABV) and certified in financial forensics (CFF).

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

James is a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).