Local News
McNeill Financial offers full menu of services
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/
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~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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Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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