BYRT CPAS - Key Persons
Adam is from Homerville, GA, where he currently lives. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting as well as a Masters of Accountancy from Valdosta State University. Adam concentrates on individual & corporate taxation, financial accounting, and the resolution of client tax matters through correspondence with taxing agencies. Adam is an active member of the Clinch County Lions Club and his interests include hunting, fishing, sports, and literature.
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Alma Staff Member
Cailyn is from Alma, GA, where she currently lives. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting in 2019 and her master's in Accounting in 2020. She first joined BYRT as an intern in the summer of 2018 and joined full time upon graduating in May of 2020. Cailyn is an avid college football and Atlanta Braves fan and enjoys hunting and fishing.
Job Titles:
- Homerville Staff Member
- Office Admin
Carmen Inman joined the BYRT Homerville office in 2021. Carmen is a Douglas, GA, native who currently resides in Manor, GA, along with her husband, Dave, and three children: Daven, Avery, and Gracelyn. She graduated from Coffee High School in 2004 and Ben Hill Irwin Technical College in 2005 with a Master's of Cosmetology degree. She also graduated from Lee University College in 2020 as an Ordained Minister of Music. Carmen has around 15 years of professional customer service experience in the salon and also in the medical field. During her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, shop, sing, play the piano, and be involved at her church.
Job Titles:
- Homerville Staff Member
- Client Accounting Services
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Waycross Staff Member
Chris was born and raised in Waycross, GA, where he also currently resides. Chris graduated with his Bachelors in Accounting from Berry College in 2016 and with his Masters in Accounting from Valdosta State in 2017. He joined BYRT as an intern while completing his Masters and joined full time upon graduating. Chris focuses on a variety of accounting tasks at BYRT including income taxes, auditing, and payroll. Chris is an avid sports fan, especially in high school and college football as well as baseball. He also loves to travel with his wife and go hiking. Chris and his wife are current members of Waycross First United Methodist Church.
Debra Yonz, CPA has been a principal of the firm since its organization in 2002. Debra has over 30 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant. Debra is a graduate of Valdosta State College where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Debra provides auditing, accounting, tax, and business consulting services for small to medium-sized business entities as well as their respective owners. She serves a variety of industries including medical professions, farming, timber production, manufacturing, governmental, nonprofit, HUDs, and financial institutions.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of First United Methodist Church
- Partner Emeritus
Chip Beal, CPA is married to the former Sharon Whigam of Folkston, Georgia, and they have two wonderful children and four even more wonderful grandchildren. He grew up in Alma and graduated from Bacon County High School.
He earned his BBA in Accountancy from the University of Georgia and is a member of the Georgia Society of CPAs. Chip has been a partner in the firm since its inception. He has principally practiced in the areas of taxation of individuals and small businesses. Clients include professionals, retail, and manufacturing.
Chip is a member of First United Methodist Church and is active in the Waycross Community through service in civic organizations and non-profit boards.
Josh, a Waycross native, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Valdosta State University in 2021. Prior to joining BYRT, he gained work experience in private industry accounting, as well as public accounting. At BYRT, Josh provides a variety of bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, and tax services. Josh is a huge Georgia Football fan and enjoys spending time with family and friend. He also attends Sweat Memorial Baptist Church and actively participates in the music ministry there.
Job Titles:
- Waycross Staff Member
- Accounting Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Baxley Staff Member
Karen graduated from Valdosta State University with a major in Accounting. She has worked in public accounting for twenty-three years. Karen's main concentration is in financial accounting and income tax preparation.
When not working, Karen enjoys spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Baxley Staff Member
Katlyn Edwards has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Minor in Health Education and Promotion from Georgia Southern University. She did her Summer 2018 internship at BYRT CPAs, LLC in the Baxley office. After graduation in December 2018, she returned to the Baxley office for a full-time position. She is married to Ethan Edwards, who is a Sherriff's Deputy at the Appling County Sherriff's Office. They attend Big Oaks Church of God and they enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Staff Accountant
- Partner in Charge of Tax
Kella Bell has been a staff accountant at BYRT CPAs, LLC since October of 2013 and currently holds the position of Tax Manager. She is originally from Ware County, and graduated from the Ware County Magnet School before attending Valdosta State University. At Valdosta State University Kella received a double major in Accounting and Finance. Kella continued her education at Valdosta State University and received her Masters of Accountancy (MAcc). She has passed all parts of the CPA exam and received her CPA certification in December of 2014. Kella is also a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Kella is involved in the Waycross community through the Waycross Service League, and she and her husband, Dave Bell, are active members of Patterson Baptist Church.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Partner Emeritus
Larry has been a CPA for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in the industry and heads up our business consulting business. Larry is our Managing Partner and coordinates our efforts among our different locations. He is a graduate of Georgia State University and lives in Alma, Georgia.
Larry is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Larry is an active member of the Alma Lions Club and has served on the state level in the capacity of District Governor. He and his wife, Karen, attend Alma First Baptist Church. They have two wonderful adult children, one wonderful daughter-in-law, and one wonderful grandson.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner in Charge of Accounting Services
Lauren has been employed with BYRT, CPAs since 2012. As a graduate of Valdosta State University and Georgia Southwestern University, she received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Accounting. Lauren received her CPA certification in October 2013. She is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Lauren provides a variety of auditing, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax services to a variety of industries.
Lauren and her husband, Brentz, have two boys, Briggs and Brenton.
Job Titles:
- Baxley Staff Member
- Client Accounting Services
Job Titles:
- Waycross Staff Member
- Client Accounting Services & Office Admin
Meghan is a 2013 WCHS graduate who currently resides with her husband, Josh, in Waycross, GA. She has been employed with BYRT CPAs, LLC as the Secretary for the Waycross office since August 2018. In 2015, Meghan graduated from SGSC with her A.S. in Business Administration; she is currently continuing her education through VSU. Before joining BYRT, she held positions in the medical field as an administrative assistant. When not working or doing school work, Meghan is either volunteering at Remnant Church, hanging out with her friends, or binge-watching Netflix.
Job Titles:
- Alma Staff Member
- Client Accounting Services
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Alma Staff Member
Tyler first became employed with BYRT as an intern prior to graduating from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree. After graduation, Tyler joined the firm full time in May of 2015 alongside his twin brother, Travis. He specializes in a number of bookkeeping and tax services. Tyler is a huge Atlanta Braves fan and enjoys playing golf and spending time with family and friends in his spare time. Tyler and his wife, Katie, reside in Patterson, Georgia, and are members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear
Job Titles:
- Alma Staff Member
- Client Accounting Services
Valerie Thornton has been married to Shon Thornton of Offerman Georgia for 34 years. They have recently moved back to Pierce County after living most of their adult lives in Wayne County. Their family consists of and 2 natural daughters and son-in-loves, (Brittany and Bubba Edenfield, Shonna and Craig Johnson) one natural son (Aaron Thornton), and 2 adopted children-(Jazmine Taylor and Anna Sapp.) They also have 2 of the most wonderful grandchildren alive-Brooks and Jocelyn Edenfield.
Valerie has an AAS degree in Accounting from Coastal Pines Technical College. She also has an Associate of Science Degree from Waycross Jr. College majoring in Education. She has over 20 years of experience in the accounting field. She provides a variety of bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, and tax services. She graduated from Pierce County High School in 1985. She and her husband worship at Grace Assembly of God in Jesup and she enjoys singing on the Praise Team and Teaching 4-5-year-old Children's church during her spare time.
Zach was born and raised in Alma, GA, but currently lives in Baxley, GA. Zach graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Georgia Southern University in 2019. He joined BYRT in 2021 as a staff accountant. Zach's main duties at BYRT are income taxes, auditing, and payroll. Zach is a sports fan who enjoys watching baseball, basketball, and football at all levels of play. Zach is a father of 3 and in his free time he likes to spend time with his kids and enjoy the outdoors by going hunting and fishing.