About Us

Ed Frere is a long-time CPA with national firm tax experience and now runs his own practice as Advantage Finance and Tax based in Ellicott City MD. The practice is focused on providing a high level of client service and value in the areas of tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning, and financial planning (tax focused). 

Ed started his career with Arthur Andersen & Co in their Washington DC tax office where he did two tours of duty, in between those he worked at Freddie Mac managing their first ever IRS audit. Ed’s early work spanned many complex areas of taxation including real estate investing / development, foreign income taxation, and structured finance investments utilizing securitization. Ed has also held significant roles at U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo with a focus spanning topics such as: taxes, regulatory filings, financial reporting, and managing large scale litigation and conflict. 

Ed’s strong tax background, broad financial services experience, and his well-developed ability to both grasp and manage complex and contentious matters, provides a broad perspective and suite of abilities for clients and their businesses. Because Ed’s work has also included many sensitive and complex matters, he understands the special attention required to protect a client’s confidentiality & their sensitive information. 

Cathryn Szmurlo is a CPA with an extensive finance and accounting background having served as a senior level executive within construction, real estate and defense contracting companies, both publicly traded and privately held, in the Washington DC area. Her extensive experience includes her most recent role serving as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President for one of Southern Maryland’s leading defense companies. Additionally, she has significant experience leading accounting and finance teams for some of the DC area’s largest construction and real estate contractors. Cathy’s areas of expertise include: financial leadership and reporting, treasury management, merger/acquisition/divesture analysis and due diligence, internal control implementation and documentation, corporate budgeting, working closely with Department of Defense audit agencies, ERP selection and implementation, internal and external audit, business process improvements, business and asset valuation, corporate risk analysis, strategic planning, and management of certain assets for high net worth individuals and their families. Having served as a trusted advisor and having worked in a secured environment maintaining a security clearance, Cathy understands the need for confidentiality and sensitivity.

Cathy holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland, she is a graduate of the Wharton Business School’s General Management Program for Executives and is a Certified Public Accountant. She has served on Charles County’s Internal Audit Committee since 2018 and also teaches the next generation of accountants at the College Of Southern Maryland.