Results

We work with you on a personal level to determine the best solutions for your unique needs, then leverage our seasoned expertise to achieve the best possible results.

Relationships

We are your trusted partner in success. Our firm is large enough to offer a full range of professional services at a fair price, but small enough to give you the individual attention that you deserve.

Relief

Rest assured that when a need arises, our firm is ready and capable to handle everything for you so you can focus on what matters most to you.

Staff Profiles

Barbara Kelley, CPA

Barbara is a long-time resident of the Columbia area and a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a B.S. degree specializing in finance, insurance, and economic security. She obtained her CPA license in August 1998 and is a Certified QuickBooks® Pro-Advisor.

Mrs. Kelley’s background includes over 20 years’ experience working in accounting and finance as a tax technician for the IRS, a financial analyst, a litigation and valuation consultant for various Columbia area firms, as well as a senior tax specialist for one of Columbia’s prominent accounting offices.

In 2003 Mrs. Kelley established her independent accounting firm to better serve local individuals and business owners. Professional memberships include the American Institute of CPA’s and the South Carolina Association of CPA’s.

Barbara has been married to Don Kelley for more than 25 years. They have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren who they love spending time with. She enjoys boating and fishing on Lake Murray, watching Gamecock sports with family and friends, reading, and completing word puzzles.

Keely DeMarino, CPA

Keely grew up in Newberry, SC and attended Clemson University where she received her BS in Accounting and met her husband, Lou.

After college, Keely moved to Atlanta and began working as a Staff Accountant for Bowne & Company, an international financial printing company. During her 10 years with Bowne, Keely was promoted to Assistant Controller of the Eastern Region. She also received her CPA license and MBA with a concentration in Corporate Finance from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.

In 2016, Keely and her family moved back to South Carolina to be closer to family and enjoy a slower pace of life. After spending 20 years in corporate accounting, Keely realized her passion was working with small businesses. Before joining Barbara Kelley CPA in January 2021, she worked for a payroll & HR company, a non-profit organization, and a real estate developer in Columbia.

Keely enjoys volunteering her time with local non-profits and currently serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for South Carolina Jump$tart Coalition, which exists to improve financial literacy of South Carolina’s K-12 educators and students.

Keely has two children that keep her very busy. When not working, she enjoys tackling home improvement projects and cheering on the Clemson Tigers.

Claire Damon
Director of Client Relations

Claire was born & raised in Sycamore, IL. After graduating high school, she moved to South Carolina to attend Lander University with a volleyball scholarship. After college, Claire moved to the Columbia area and has worked in the hospitality & customer service industry for the past 17 years. She enjoys sports, spending time outdoors, and playing with her dog. Outside of working with the Barbara Kelley, CPA team, she also coaches and is a member of the Board for Lake Murray Volleyball Club.

Claire now resides in Prosperity, SC where she enjoys the lake life with her boyfriend, Kevin, and their dog, Wrigley.

Tiffany Kelley, Enrolled Agent
Office Manager

Tiffany attended the University of South Carolina after graduating from Cardinal Newman High School in 1994. She worked as a Real Estate Paralegal before joining the team at Barbara Kelley, CPA in 2014. Tiffany obtained her Certificate of Enrollment to practice before the Internal Revenue Service on June 10, 2015. She enjoys working with clients and finding ways to help keep their business operations running smoothly.

Tiffany also has her real estate license and enjoys helping others buy and sell property. Her experience is a tremendous help when providing services to our real estate clients.

In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys cooking, Carolina Football, and spending time with her family, including their English Bulldog, Harley.

Cheryl Landoll
Client Account Manager

Cheryl spent the early years of her life in the Midwest and the majority in Florida where she graduated from Palm Beach Community College. After trying to escape from a hurricane and seeking shelter in South Carolina, she and her husband, Mike, decided it was time for a change. They now call Chapin home.

Cheryl has worked in the accounting field for over 15 years and continues to broaden her experience working at Barbara Kelley CPA. Cheryl’s loves outside of work include her husband, daughters, and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, reading, and baking.

Patricia McDonald
Senior Tax Accountant

Patricia has been an Accounting and Tax professional for over 25 years. Patricia is delighted to have the opportunity to work for Barbara Kelley CPA after spending the past 15 years working for other local CPA firms in and around the Columbia area. In addition to individual tax returns, Patricia concentrates on corporate, partnership, trust, and estate clients.

Patricia holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Long Island University, NY and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting from Hofstra University, NY. Patricia’s experience included an opportunity to work in the publishing industry in New York City and served as the Director of Tax and International Accounting at Conde Nast Publications as well as a Tax Analyst with Bertelsmann Music Group. Patricia also holds a membership in the SC Association of Certified Public Accountants and is a former member of the Tax Executives Institute (New York Chapter).

A native of Long Island New York, Patricia along with her husband and two children moved to the Irmo, SC area 15 years ago. The great weather and family already living in the South prompted the move. Her greatest joy in life is the time spent with her family and friends. She also enjoys volunteering, gardening, travelling and other outdoor activities.

Amanda Barkdull Starkey, Enrolled Agent
Senior Tax Specialist

Amanda is originally from Augusta, Georgia and knew in high school that she wanted to be a teacher or work in the accounting field. After graduating from George P. Butler High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Guy. Her husband’s job promotions/transfers led them to Louisiana, Texas, back to Georgia; and then after arriving in Columbia, South Carolina they settled down and started a family.

Before having two sons, she graduated from Delta Business School of Commerce and afterwards attended Midlands Technical College where she took accounting-related courses and specifically targeted income taxation courses where she clearly found her calling in life.

Amanda has been an income tax practitioner since 1990. She worked for H&R Block for 12 “tax seasons.” She obtained her Certificate of Enrollment to practice before the Internal Revenue Service on June 19, 1997, which has authorized her to become an advocate and representative for both individual and business clients in matters dealing with Federal and State income tax law issues.

Working for Barbara Kelley CPA has provided great flexibility when home life, caregiving and family members’ health concerns became a greater priority, especially with the sudden loss of her husband of 41 years. On January 1, 2022, she married David Starkey, whom she met in church. In her spare time Amanda likes to read and work in her flower garden.