Bradley, Thomas & Matthew Close, CPAs
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Close Tax Service, a seasonal business, opened in January 1975 with Tom Close and one part-time assistant. The name was changed to Berkeley Data Processing, Inc. in 1980 and the services were expanded to include small business tax and accounting as well as payroll preparation. New partner, James Dell, was added to the staff and it became a year-round business, located on Independence Street in Berkeley Springs.
In September 1985, Brenda Close, a part-time assistant, was added to the staff, and the office moved to 1680 Valley Road. In 1988, Tom became a licensed CPA and Brenda moved into a full-time accountant position preparing tax returns. Then, in 1994, Tom's niece, Bobbi Michael, joined the thriving practice as another full-time accountant.
Following in his father's footsteps, Matthew joined the business in 1998, having just graduated from Shepherd College with a degree in Accounting.
On January 1, 2000, in response to the rapid business growth, Tom and his twin brother Tim, an insurance agent, moved their practices into a newly built office building where the old building stood. The new office was christened “The Gemini Centre” (Gemini meaning “twins”).
In May of 2003, Tom's other son, Bradley, graduated from West Liberty State College, also with a degree in Accounting. Brad joined his brother in working for Tom at Berkeley Data Processing. James Dell retired later that same year.
Together, in 2007, Matt and Brad passed the uniform CPA exam. Upon certification of his son's, Tom decided it was time to change the name of the business to incorporate all three partners. Now known as Bradley, Thomas, and Matthew Close CPAs, PLLC (BTM CPAs), the firm was ready to branch out into another market - Berkeley County.
In the spring of 2008, BTM CPAs opened a new office in the north-end of Martinsburg in the Reed’s Pharmacy shopping complex off of Route 11. Then, in November 2012, the office moved to a stand-alone building located at 5462 Williamsport Pike (directly across from United Bank, next to Wal Mart).
Also in 2008, Kandy Walls joined BTM CPAs as a full-time administrative assistant. There are also seasonal assistants to help out during tax season, the busiest time of the year.
With business growing steadily, Tom’s daughter, Megan joined the firm in February 2013. She then passed the Uniform CPA examination in March of 2018.
In October 2016, Matt and Brad pursued an opportunity to acquire a small accounting firm, Accounting Associates Inc., located in downtown Hagerstown, MD. This was an exciting chance to move into the state of Maryland as well as to expand BTM CPAs to a third office. Hagerstown has proven to be an area of high growth in all areas, and we are looking forward to seeing how the newest BTM CPAs office grows along with the city itself.
Current staffing includes: four CPAs, two enrolled agents, three staff accountants, three administrative assistants, and several seasonal contractors to assist during tax season.
Pictured from left to right: Kandy Walls, Matt Close, Megan Shives, Tom Close, Bobbi Michael, Brad Close, Brenda Close
Bradley, Thomas, and Matthew Close, Certified Public Accountants, PLLC
"If our clients are successful, then we will be successful"