Thomas E. Burdette, CPA Founding Shareholder

Thomas E. Burdette and William A. Fritz, Jr. shared an office at a large regional CPA firm immediately following their college graduations. Their friendship led to a shared confidence - both young men aspired to have their own CPA firm. On August 7, 1978 their dream came true.

There were meager years in the beginning, but both men were confident in their abilities. From Day One, their loyalty to clients and the principals of Trust, Commitment and Service defined their practice. Twenty-five years later many things have changed, except the commitment to trust and service.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. English III 1994

From its first location in the Mosby Building, located in the City of Fairfax, the firm expanded to facilities at 4016 Williamsburg Court, City of Fairfax in 1980. In 1986 the firm expanded to the historic “Marsh House” at 3970 Chain Bridge Road, City of Fairfax. When growth dictated, the firm moved to 3975 University Drive, City of Fairfax in 1989 and finally to our present location at 4035 Ridge Top Road, Fairfax County, Virginia in 2001.

For the first eighteen years of existence, the firm was known as Burdette & Fritz, Ltd. Jeffrey A. Smith became shareholder in 1993. In December, 1995, the name was changed to Burdette, Halstead & Smith. The Burdette Smith Group, P.C. became the firm's name in July, 1998. Joseph M. English, III became a shareholder in 1999 and Robert W. Stemetzki in 2002.

"Slugger" Smith at an Annual Family Picnic

In the years since founding, the firm has experienced solid and steady growth. The accounting practices of Accounting Unlimited, Inc., Delia McDermott, Douglas W. Adams, Clevenger & Shaw, Asmuth & Associates, Vincent V. Dean, CPA, P.C. and William F. Delaney, CPA, P.C. have been successfully integrated into the Burdette Smith Group, P.C.

The contributions of many talented, loyal employees have been the backbone of the firm’s success. The longevity of our staff has always been a source of pride. At this 25th anniversary mark, the average tenure of a firm employee, excluding our newer staff members, is 12 1/2 years. Notable among our long-term staff is Charles Chapman, E.A. who has been with the firm since 1980. Charlie is still a regular during tax season - his review and preparation skills are as sharp as ever and his range of experience is unequaled. Joan Cross, Marketing Director, and Associates Kathy Eggers, CPA and Becky Bartholomae, CPA have a collective experience with the firm of 52 years. On the other hand, Phil Sartori, Staff Accountant, was born in 1978, the year of the firm’s founding.

Bob Stemetzki became a shareholder in 2002

Accounting and financial reporting services have expanded in these twenty five years to include financial planning, estate and trust management, not-for-profit specialties, advisory services, eldercare services, technology design and training. A full range of accounting and financial planning services are provided by the Burdette Smith Group, P.C. We have kept our practice on the forefront of developing technology and are currently expanding our electronic capabilities to attain a totally “paperless” environment.

Phil Sartori

We are proud of our leadership in the region. The firm has twice been named “Professional Business of the Year” by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce; has received peer review examinations yielding unqualified reports on the firm’s adherence to accounting standards for the past fifteen years; has provided over $85,000 in scholarship funds to regional college students; and is an active member of the George Mason University Patriot Club.