Erica McNeill has been defying the odds most of her life. A native of Wagram, in Scotland County, Erica is CEO for McNeill Financial Services, a family-owned accounting firm that’s served the Raleigh area for 11 years. Erica, a mother of five, has worked in the field 17 years.
The graduate of Liberty University – where she majored in religious studies and minored in accounting – started the company on South Main Street in Laurinburg. Her office in Raleigh, located right off the highway, is less than an hour from Moore County, where she has several clients.
“We offer services basically everywhere,” Erica said. “We also have clients in Atlanta and South Carolina.”
To address multiple concerns, the team at McNeill includes experienced paralegals and CPAs.
While Erica’s story is one of success, she had to overcome sizable obstacles along the way.
“My mom passed away when I was 14,” Erica said. “I’m an only child.”
As an emancipated adult, she was able to stay in the family home after her mom’s passing. To get through the tough times, she turned to her faith.
“I’ve always looked to the Bible for inspiration,” Erica said. “I lived on my own since I was 14.”
With a humble start in a smaller town, it may be expected that she’s more comfortable with a slower pace. That’s not necessarily how it is.
“I love the bigger cities,” Erica said. “What drew me to Raleigh was driving downtown. Once I saw the big buildings, I was drawn.”
An appreciation for larger metropolitan areas appears to run in the family. Erica’s oldest son, Trenton McNeill, is an aspiring corporate attorney in Atlanta.
While her business is headquartered in Raleigh, Erica makes it a point to come to Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.
“Whenever I’m needed, I make on-site visits to Moore County,” she said.
For a time, she did have an office in Aberdeen. A family matter caused her to close the location earlier this year.
Closing the office, though, didn’t have a negative impact on her local client base.
“A lot of the contracts from Moore County were signed after we made the decision not to renew,” Erica said.
No matter where McNeill Financial Services is located, convenience is an advantage. Among its offerings are accounting services, legal assistance, bookkeeping, cashflow management, payroll processing, financial statements and tax preparation, both personal and business.
When it comes to taxes, the company understands the importance of having returns filed properly and making sure clients receive all the deductions and credits they’re entitled to.
Running a business, especially one providing such a wide array of services, makes it essential for management to have downtime. Erica has a simple means of escaping that’s been around a bit.
“I read. I love it,” she said. “I love a good book. All the ones I read are based on faith.”
To learn more about McNeill Financial Services, go to https://www.mcneillfinancialsvcs.com/
Doors open Monday through Friday at 10 a.m.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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