About Us

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide professional accounting, tax, planning, and payroll services to small business owners so they can concentrate on their businesses with peace of mind and no surprises at tax time.

 

Welcome to Berel CPA, your trusted Biloxi CPA firm dedicated to providing exceptional services to our clients and supporting our community. I’m Susan Berel, and I am delighted to introduce you to our firm. We specialize in assisting self-employed taxpayers in maximizing their tax savings, consistently helping them save thousands of dollars year after year. In fact, with our extensive knowledge of available tax strategies, we have even helped some clients save tens of thousands.

What sets us apart from other firms is our unwavering commitment to client satisfaction. At Berel CPA, you will always be able to reach a real person in our office. We value the importance of effective communication and prompt responses, so rest assured that your calls will be answered. Our dedicated team goes above and beyond to assist our clients in every way possible. To ensure that we maintain this level of service, we are actively expanding our team through new hiring initiatives.

Allow me to share a bit about my background. I am from New Orleans and grew up in a financially disadvantaged environment. Determined to overcome these challenges, I enrolled at the University of New Orleans when I was just 16 years old. The legal drinking age being 18 at the time, initially a distraction, I remained steadfast in completing my degree as a means to rise above poverty. During my studies, I embarked on a journey of working full-time for a local CPA firm while attending evening classes. This invaluable experience provided me with practical knowledge in accounting and payroll, which continues to benefit me to this day. I hold an accounting degree from the University of New Orleans with over 20 years of tax expertise, acquired through my tenure at small and regional CPA firms in Louisiana and Florida. This extensive experience has equipped me with a versatile skill set across various tax areas.

My lifelong dream was to become a business owner. After years of working for others, I finally took the leap and purchased the client accounts of Biloxi-based William Murphy CPA firm in 2016. Initially, I operated as a solo practitioner with the support of my family. Since then, our firm has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing 400% even before the recent acquisition of the client base of John Kenna CPA in Ocean Springs, MS in January of 2023. I attribute this growth to our unwavering commitment to customer service and the dedication of our exceptional employees. Without their tireless efforts, our remarkable achievements would not have been possible.

While our firm was initially established as a tax-only practice, we soon recognized the larger needs of our clients. Consequently, we expanded our services to include accounting and payroll assistance, responding directly to the demands of our valued clients. Furthermore, we have actively supported our clients in navigating complex programs such as the payroll protection plan, the employee retention credit, and the Mississippi grant program. At Berel CPA, we continually adapt and strive to fulfill the ever-changing needs of our clients.

We take great pride in our monthly clients, as they afford us the opportunity to not only keep their finances up to date but also provide comprehensive tax projections and explore all available tax strategies. Our diverse clientele encompasses a wide range of industries, including restaurants, condo associations, maritime contractors, doctors, attorneys, service companies, online retailers, retail stores, real estate professionals, and wholesalers. We serve business clients throughout the entire Southeast region, thanks to the advances in technology that facilitate seamless remote service delivery. We provide a secure portal for the convenient transfer of information, ensuring the utmost confidentiality and efficiency.

A significant portion of our clients utilize QuickBooks, both the desktop and online versions. Over the years, we have gained extensive experience in transitioning clients from QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks online. While some individuals initially harbor reservations about QuickBooks online, citing differences from the desktop version, we have acclimated to its functionality and have been utilizing it for over five years, ensuring a seamless transition for our clients.

In addition to our comprehensive accounting and tax services, we also offer specialized solutions tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. For instance, we handle billing and collections for a condo association, provide percentage of completion reports for construction clients, and manage accounts payable for select clients.

When it comes to accounting services, we believe in transparency and fairness. Following a detailed analysis of your specific requirements, we offer fixed monthly pricing agreements that align with your needs. In some cases, we may need to perform several months of accounting work to bring your books up to date. We highly recommend that our business clients maintain accurate and up-to-date books, as it allows for the effective evaluation of performance and profitability.

To celebrate our continued growth and showcase our commitment to new clients, we are currently offering an exclusive promotion. Receive a remarkable 50% off your first month of accounting services, coupled with a complimentary 30-minute consultation. This consultation can be conveniently conducted either in person or over the phone, according to your preference. Furthermore, our secure portal streamlines the transfer of information, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

If you are interested in availing yourself of our comprehensive accounting services or exploring the various ways we can assist your business, simply click on the link below. We look forward to connecting with you and demonstrating how Berel CPA can contribute to your financial success.

Our Staff

Susan Berel

Susan Berel

Susan was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is a graduate of The University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.  Susan passed the CPA exam in 1991 and is licensed in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. After more than 20 years of working for other CPA firms, Susan started Berel CPA, PLLC in November of 2016. Susan’s passion is to reduce her clients’ tax liabilities using available tax strategies. Susan enjoys gardening, music, and real estate.

Rachel Bennett

Rachel Bennett

Rachel is a lifelong resident of the Ocean Springs/St. Martin area.  Her business background includes 10 years of real estate administration on the Gulf Coast and 14 years of bookkeeping/accounting administration.  She started with Berel CPA is March 2019.  Some of her personal interests include spending time with her friends and family (especially my children and grandchildren), country music, true crime documentaries, watching baseball and football, and bargain shopping.

LeAnn Frazier

LeAnn Frazier

LeAnn has an associate degree in accounting.  She started with Berel CPA in June 2022.  Before coming to Berel CPA LeAnn worked in the legal field for 7 years.  In her free time, she spends time with her 4 children and family.  She enjoys cycling, reading a book, or spending time at the beach with her children.