Matthew Terry joined Edwards & Associates in 2023, fulfilling a lifelong desire for a career in the financial space. At Edwards & Associates, he enjoys working in the accounting world while expanding his knowledge, particularly in taxes. Matthew’s primary responsibilities include preparing financial information for review and reconciliation. Known for his keen attention to detail and commitment to task completion, Matthew is instrumental in client success.

Before joining Edwards & Associates, Matthew gained experience as a total loss insurance associate and security professional. In his spare time, he enjoys working with his hands, on cars to computers to home improvement projects. Matthew is also a avid bowler and regularly meets with his friends at the lanes to hone his game.

Fun Facts

• Matthew has a whopping 19 uncles on his mother’s side. And get this—two of them are younger than he is! 
• Unlike some, Matthew’s the guy who happily reaches for the green foods at the dinner table – his favorite? Green beans!
• When it’s time to kick back and unwind, you’ll find Matthew watching Lucifer on Netflix or jamming to Linkin Park. 
• If Matthew’s life were turned into a movie, Jonah Hill would get the leading role because of his versatility. 
• In school, Matthew thrived in computer maintenance and science classes. Not surprising considering his passion for understanding how things work.

Traci Lopez is an administrative powerhouse and 10-year veteran of Edwards & Associates. After learning the E&A ropes as Robert Edwards’ executive assistant, Traci was promoted to Firm Administrator, where she now manages various functions, including human resources, accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), and firm management. 

Throughout her 15-year career, Traci has focused on honing her organizational, leadership, and strategic planning skills. She takes great pride in the fact that her role allows her to positively impact the firm by improving processes, increasing efficiency, and supporting the E&A team. Traci holds a Public Accounting Firm Management (PAFM) certification and stays up to date on industry best practices through her involvement with the Dallas Accounting Association (DAA), the CPA Firm Management Association (CPAFMA), and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Traci’s life motto is “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” which is good advice for us all. (Can you name the movie?) When she isn’t steering the ship at Edwards & Associates, you can find Traci engrossed in a good book, hitting the bowling lanes, or creating special memories with her son and grandson. 

Fun Facts:

• Germany holds a special place in her heart, not just as a dream destination, but also as her birthplace!
• Avocados might be trendy, but Traci is not a fan. (Not even guacamole!) When she wants something green, she goes for asparagus and brussels sprouts. 
• Despite its controversial demotion, Traci firmly believes that Pluto is still a planet. Don’t even try to convince her otherwise!
• At just 5 years old, Traci dreamed of becoming a teacher like her grandmother. 
• Traci’s music taste is as eclectic as it gets. Imagine a playlist that rocks out with Def Leppard, howls with The Monkees, shakes it off with Taylor Swift, and finishes with the Smoky Mountain Songbirg, Dolly Parton. 

Since joining the Edwards & Associates team in 2023, Hayleigh has become a valued member of the staff accountant team. Her responsibilities include entering credit card and bank statements, performing reconciliations, adjusting journal entries, preparing financial statements, organizing and saving data requests, and maintaining effective communication with the team. Hayleigh originally wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, so providing accounting services to dental practices is a match made in heaven!  

Before joining our team, Hayleigh gained experience at Goldman Sachs, where she served as an Internal Audit Analyst, and Baker Tilly, where she worked as an Accounting Assistant. Hayleigh holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas. 

Outside of work, Hayleigh is an avid runner and yoga enthusiast. When it’s time to wind down, she enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. Originally from Plano, TX, Hayleigh now resides in Dallas where she volunteers at the Second Chance SPCA animal shelter.

Fun Facts:

• Hayleigh is left-handed but plays sports right-handed. She used both hands, however, to play volleyball from elementary school through high school. 
• While she admits to loving the unique color combination of yellow and purple, Hayleigh does not mention the LA Lakers or Minnesota Vikings. 
• Growing up, Hayleigh loved math class…almost as much as she loved recess!  
• Hayleigh is admittedly a dog person but also can’t resist the charm of cats.  
• With its epic sunsets, diverse ecosystems, and endless recreation, visiting Hawaii is at the top of Hayleigh’s bucket list! 

Meet Arneshia Murphy, Staff Accountant at Edwards & Associates. In her role, Arneshia is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records for our clients, managing the reporting and valuation of business personal property, ensuring precise and efficient data processing, and tackling unique challenges while contributing to strategic initiatives through special projects. With a keen eye for detail and a data-driven mindset, Arneshia provides insightful financial analyses and excels in forecasting and strategy. “I love working with numbers and analyzing data. There’s something incredibly satisfying about uncovering insights that can drive better business decisions.”

Before joining Edwards & Associates, Arneshia served five years in the United States military, including four years of active duty and one year in the Air Force Reserves. Arneshia holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and an MBA from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.  

Arneshia resides in Dallas and is a self-proclaimed workaholic. When she does disconnect, she loves spending time with her close-knit family and traveling.

Fun Facts:

• Arneshia loves the thrill of crime – in her movies, of course!
• Cookies and cream reigns supreme in Arneshia’s opinion.
• Arneshia loved math in school. Numbers and equations? Bring them on!
• Given a chance to travel anywhere, she’d choose the world’s sixth-largest country, Australia. Koalas, kangaroos, and digeridoos await!
• Her favorite movie line? “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Can you guess who said it?

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Madison Poe brings expertise and a unique perspective to Edwards & Associates. Madison’s journey began in her father’s orthodontist practice, where she worked in administration. Later, when she saw an ad for an accountant with dental industry experience, she thought, “What are the odds of that?” and seized the opportunity to put her institutional knowledge and education to work at Edwards & Associates.

Within the firm, Madison is known for her exceptional organizational skills and genuine love of people. Her role, as she humorously describes it, involves “all of it”—from ensuring client satisfaction to upholding the firm’s commitment to excellence and service. Madison is a credentialed CPA and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration.

When she’s not working with clients, Madison enjoys life on her multigenerational hobby farm surrounded by family and flock, including chickens, bees, and goats. She is also an active member of her church community and a passionate traveler.

Fun Facts:

• If she could have any superpower, Madison would choose teleportation. Given her love for travel, it’s no wonder she wants to skip the lines at airport security!
• Madison has a special place in her heart for chocolate ice cream and strawberry shortcake. It’s safe to say she’s got dessert priorities straight!
• If a movie is ever made about Madison’s life, she’d like Kathy Bates to play her.
• Forced to participate in a talent show, Madison would showcase her impressive ability to “close the door on her way out.” It’s all about making an exit with style!
• Madison’s dream travel destination is Hogwarts. She’s still waiting for that owl with her acceptance letter—any day now!

With more than 20 years of administrative experience, Carol Merritt has been an invaluable member of Edwards & Associates since joining us in August 2009. As our Front Office Coordinator, Carol ensures we run a smooth operation, from managing billing, collections, statements, and e-file tax returns to providing a friendly and professional atmosphere for our clients and staff. Before joining Edwards & Associates, Carol honed her skills as an administrative assistant at an advertising agency and another CPA firm. 

Originally from Irving, Texas, Carol now calls McKinney home. She is an active member of her church and enjoys spending her free time watching sports, working out at the gym, and creating memories with her husband and son. 

Fun Facts:

• Carol’s favorite color is black, but here’s the dilemma—what do you do when your blacks don’t match? 
• Her favorite number is 10, which makes sense because she’s always aiming for perfection! 
• Carol’s favorite planet is Jupiter. Did you know that if Jupiter were a hollow shell, 1,000 Earths could fit inside?
• While cookies and cream ice cream is her ultimate flavor, cheesecake is her favorite dessert. So, what happens when she encounters cookies and cream cheesecake? Pure, unadulterated bliss—or perhaps a minor existential crisis!
• Carol would want Reese Witherspoon to portray her in her biopic. But which Reese? Legally Blonde Reese? Sweet Home Alabama Reese? Sing Reese? The possibilities are endless!