Team
At Business Accounting Systems, PC, we are proud of our team of accounting professionals who work tirelessly to provide our clients with exceptional service. We believe that our success is driven by the knowledge, expertise, and dedication of our team members.
Leon A. Elwell, PA, EA
President and CEO
“Lee” founded Business Accounting Systems, PC in 1971 based upon his belief that the small businessperson needed to turn to one person for all their accounting, payroll, and tax needs, a one-stop shop concept if you will. At the same time, he created the idea of a bundled price structure. While the details of how to accomplish this have been revised over the years, the concept has proven to be correct. Lee is a Public Accountant licensed by the State of New Jersey Board of Accountancy and is also an Enrolled Agent. An Enrolled Agent is licensed by the Federal Government and can represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. Only EAs are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they can represent taxpayers. Unlike attorneys and CPAs who may not choose to, EAs specialize in taxation.
Certifications:
- Public Accountant
- Enrolled Agent
- Accredited Tax Advisor
- Accredited Tax Preparer
- Accredited Business Accountant
Phone: (856) 853-5422
Email: lee@bas-pc.com
L. Scott Elwell, MST, EA, ATA, ATP
Vice President
Scott, our Vice President, has been with the firm since 1980. He manages the accounting, payroll, and tax departments, as well as is responsible for marketing and all new client sales and development. Scott has his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Edison State College and his master’s in taxation from Taft University.
Scott is an Enrolled Agent, a license granted by the Department of the Treasury specifically the Internal Revenue Service, which allows him to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. Only EAs are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they can receive this license and represent taxpayers. Unlike Attorneys and CPAs who may not choose to, EAs specialize in taxation. Scott is also an Accredited Tax Advisor and an Accredited Tax Preparer.
Scott spent his first 15 years at Business Accounting Systems, PC as a payroll department supervisor and a Senior Accountant. He then transitioned to managing the payroll and accounting departments within the firm. In early 1997, he became the Vice President and assumed all aspects of managing the firm, from the daily operations to recruitment and most importantly marketing and new client acquisition.
Scott and his wife Kim, the Business Accounting Systems, PC marketing director, reside in Margate City, NJ. Together, they have six children, Matthew, Katie, Alicia, Justin, Morgan, and Zack.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 117
Email: scott@bas-pc.com
Steven G. Deon, CPA
Senior Accountant
Steven G. Deon is a NJ-licensed CPA, who also holds a NJ Public School Accountant designation as well as the NASD Series 6 License. Steve earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Glassboro State College (Rowan) in 1984. Before joining our team, Steven spent the first 15 years of his accounting and tax career as a partner in a Vineland CPA firm.
Although versed in many types of businesses, Steve specializes in the retail and restaurant trade clients in our firm. Steve brings with him a wealth of accounting, tax, and general business knowledge which will assist the clients of Business Accounting Systems, PC.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 120
Email: steve@bas-pc.com
Rita Price, CPA
Senior Accountant
Rita Price is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Scranton.
Rita joins our firm after many years as a Senior Manager at the prestigious firm of Baker Tilly, LLP in Philadelphia. Rita has over 20 years of experience working with privately held companies and individual clients in various industries, including real estate, retail, professional services, and manufacturing and distribution.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 115
Email: rita@bas-pc.com
Jackie Bradley, BS, MBA
Staff Accountant Manager
Jackie joined our firm in 2001. Along with doing the accounting for many clients herself, Jackie also manages our bookkeeping staff. Jackie is our Peachtree expert, having used this software in her prior position as an accountant and accounting manager for a few very large computer software companies.
Jackie received her bachelor’s degree in accounting (Cum Laude) from Trenton State College (The College of New Jersey) and her MBA from Rider University. Should you need any assistance with the bookkeeping being done by our firm, feel free to contact Jackie, of course, your accountant is always available as well.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 129
Email: jackie@bas-pc.com
Kim Elwell, BA
Marketing Director
Kim has her bachelor’s degree in communications/broadcast journalism from Lycoming College and is our firm’s Marketing Director.
In addition to managing our marketing department and advertising year-round, Kim also handles all of our Tax Season scheduling, billing, electronic tax return submissions, and filing.
Kim is married to our VP Scott and resides in Margate City, NJ. Together they have six children – Zack, Morgan, Matthew, Katie, Alicia, and Justin.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 113
Email: kim@bas-pc.com
Melissa Antonelli, CPA
Senior Staff Accountant
Melissa graduated from Widener University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in accounting. Melissa is a NJ-licensed CPA and brings over 10 years of experience, working in the accounting industry.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 131
Email: melissa@bas-pc.com
Justin Elwell, BS
Staff Accountant
Justin graduated from the University of Tampa with his bachelor’s in accounting in 2017. After spending time at Baratz & Associates, PA, and Bowman & Company, LLP in their audit departments, he decided to join our firm knowing that he enjoys working with small business clients.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 143
Email: justin@bas-pc.com
Mary Beth Schaefer, CPA
Tax Department
Mary Beth Schaefer is a Certified Public Accountant Licensed in Delaware and New Jersey. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Goldy Beacom College. Mary Beth has over 25 years of Individual and business tax preparation experience. She specializes in working with privately held companies and individual clients in various industries, including real estate, retail, professional services, and manufacturing and distribution in both their business and tax area’s.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 121
Email: MaryBeth@bas-pc.com
Michelle Felder
Payroll Processor
Michelle joined the payroll department in 2010 and comes to us with much customer service experience. Michelle attended Gloucester County College for Computer Science and Business Administration.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 137
Email: michelle@bas-pc.com
Kate Legg
Bookkeeper/Payroll
Kate has been with Business Accounting Systems, PC since 2011, working in both our payroll and bookkeeping departments. Kate brings several years of customer service and clerical experience to our firm.
Phone: (856) 853-5422 ext 127
Email: kate@bas-pc.com