About Emerald Tax & Accounting

 In 1980, Valerie McLaughlin founded QualiTax, a woman-owned accounting firm that provided tax and accounting services to local businesses and individuals in the Annapolis, MD area. As the business grew and the client base evolved, the company rebranded to Emerald Financial Partners in 2018. The brand was updated again in 2026 to Emerald Tax and Accounting. “This strategic decision to rebrand helps us to more accurately communicate the core services we excel in to our clients and the marketplace. Tax preparation, tax planning and small business accounting is what we love to do, and we want that reflected in our new business name, Emerald Tax & Accounting” stated Valerie McLaughlin, CEO.

Christy Bennett, CPA, said, “Small to medium-sized businesses have always been our ‘sweet spot’ because, as a small business, we understand the pains of a start-up, the growth challenges, and the services you need to help you focus on your business. Our new platform will allow us to offer packages that are easy to budget and provide a more comprehensive array of services to meet our business clients’ needs.”

Where are we now?

The firm is now located in Arnold, Maryland, and serves clients in the local Annapolis area as well as many businesses across the country. There is also a new office located in Hickory, North Carolina. We continue to practice proactive accounting in the Hickory office, working with individuals and small businesses to meet their tax preparation, bookkeeping, or other CPA needs. 

Schedule an appointment with Emerald Tax & Accounting today! Or learn more about us by going to Meet the Team.