TARBORO — Just in time for tax time.

On Saturday, Edgecombe County native Dorthea Stith, CEO of Stith & Associates, an accounting and tax preparation service in Raleigh, will be opening her new branch office in Suite 103 of the Edgecombe Professional Building at 201 E. Pitt St. in Tarboro.

There will be a Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the office.

"We are very excited about this weekend," said Stith. "I am definitely ready to get things started."

Stith, a 1997 graduate of SouthWest Edgecombe High School, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Stith formed Stith & Associates four years ago in Raleigh.

"We've done really well here," said Stith. "The market is ultra-competitive in Raleigh and definitely keeps you on your toes.

"I am really looking forward to bringing some of that competitive drive to Tarboro."

Stith is a licensed Accountant in the State of North Carolina and serves on the Accounting Advisory Board for both Edgecombe Community College and Halifax Community College.

“I am very proud to be involved with Edgecombe and Halifax Community Colleges," said Stith.  “We have started to offer students there educational opportunities within the company.

"Students that are in accounting programs at the schools can arrange to come and work with us, which will provide them with some very valuable experience."

 Stith said that she is expanding to Tarboro because during times of economic hardships, the need for accounting and tax services are greater than ever.

"During a recession, unemployment rates go higher," said Stith. "When that happens, you see more entrepreneurs starting up their own businesses. We are here to help these small businesses and give them a blueprint of how to move their business forward.

“And we want to help get commerce moving again in Edgecombe County."

Stith said her company is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Society of Accountants and the North Carolina Society of Accountants.

"We have the newest, state-of-the-art tax software in our offices,” said Stith. “And all of our staff are up to date on all of the newest tax laws.

“Tax laws change, sometimes on a yearly basis, so you always want someone who can stay on top of these changes and provide you with the best service.”

Stith said her company offers a full-range of accounting and tax services, including  small business management assistance, financial statement preparation and reporting, tax preparation and planning and budget consulting.

“We also provide tax preparation  for individuals as well as tax preparation  and bookkeeping services for companies with up to 250 employees,” said Stith. “We offer payroll services for companies with up to 100 employees and offer audit assistance to our clients.

"We also offer free consultations to our clients if they are being audited by the IRS."

Stith said that she will staff the Tarboro office with 18 employees throughout the tax season.

Stith said that two of her associates are Spanish speaking, and will be able to prepare taxes for the Hispanic community in Edgecombe County.

"I felt that was an important service to offer in the community," said Stith. "Both of those employees are fluent in Spanish and are up to par with the newest tax laws.

"This will allow them to better serve some of our Spanish-speaking clients."

Stith said that 25 percent of her gross profit this year will be donated to community, civic and church organizations in Edgecombe County.

“We will also be donating funds to local day care facilities to support First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move!’ initiative,” said Stith. “We plan to be very active in the community.”

Stith & Associates will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 2-6 p.m. on Sundays. Once opened on Saturday, the office will have a walk-in, no waiting policy for clients.

For more information on services offered at Stith & Associates, contact Stith at 823-1800.