ABOUT US
Providing quality, personalized financial guidance to local individuals and businesses.

Charlie is the founding member of the Firm and has many years of tax planning and preparation experience. His practice areas include Corporate, Partnership, Fiduciary and Individual Tax Preparation and Planning. Charlie’s clientele include real estate development enterprises, medium size businesses, high net worth individuals and fiduciary entities.

Prior to Varn, Render and Co., CPAs, LLC, Charlie’s experience included working with the Comptroller of the Currency and the Internal Revenue Service where he trained new Revenue Agents and served as a Summary Witness for tax matters in Federal District Court and Federal Bankruptcy Court. Additionally, Charlie worked as Senior Manager for the international firm Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) where he served both privately held and public companies.

Charlie holds a BS Degree in Financial Management from Clemson University. In addition to being a CPA, Charlie holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Carolina Association of Public Accountants, the Columbia Taxation Study Group and the Columbia Estate Planning Council where he served as past President and Board Member.

Charlie and wife Audrey have been married for forty years and enjoy spending time with their two adult children and their spouses especially if it involves boating.

Chris is a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years experience specializing in small business tax and advisory services. His income tax practice includes a concentration on closely held service businesses, professionals, and high net-worth individuals. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, an active member of Shandon United Methodist Church and has served as an advisor and volunteer to numerous local organizations. Chris and his wife, Elizabeth, have four children together.

Michael joined Varn, Render and Co., CPAs in January of 2019 and brings nearly 16 years of experience in individual, corporate, and nonprofit taxation; and small business accounting, planning and consultation. He specializes in clergy taxation and planning. Understanding the challenges of clergy taxation allows him to help clients all over the country. Michael focuses on helping his clients develop a plan for now and well into the future.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Michael enjoys attending as many football and baseball games as possible as he and his family cheer on the Gamecocks. He is an Eagle Scout and a member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, where he serves on its preschool advisory board. He and his wife Kristin have a daughter, Mary Parks.

Mary Ann joined Varn, Render and Co., CPAs in January of 2019 and brings nearly 14 year of experience in individual tax preparation and planning. In addition, she is well versed in areas of payroll compliance and procedures as well as business accounting. Furthermore, she is an integral part of the operations management of our firm.

Mary Ann graduated from Winthrop University, and enjoys spending time gardening, relaxing with her family. She is also a pianist for Chapin United Methodist Church.

Education: BS, Accounting, University of South Carolina

Andy joined Varn Render & Co., CPAs, LLC in 2013 after having worked with the principals for over 10 years previously. He is a senior accountant, providing tax compliance and planning services with a primary focus on commercial and residential real estate and construction. He also provides regular small business accounting & taxation services for other types of businesses. Andy and his wife, Chris, are avid travelers and hikers. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Trish started working with Charlie Varn over twenty years ago and currently holds the position of Staff Accountant. She has experience in tax preparation, bookkeeping, accounting services and office administration. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Limestone College.

In her spare time Trish enjoys spending time with her two daughters, playing with her two black labs and traveling.

Doug is the founding owner of the CPA firm, The Neal Firm, CPA, PA which merged with Varn, Render & Co., CPAs, LLC effective January 2019. He has over 28 years of CPA experience that he brings to the firm. Doug holds a Master in Taxation degree from the University of South Carolina and a B.A in Economics from the University of North Carolina. He is active in his church and community having held numerous leadership positions. As an avid musician, he is president of a non-profit organization known as Heart ‘n Soul which is a musical group that has donated and helped charities raise over $3.5 million. Doug is married, has three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Sherry graduated from Wichita Business College with an Associate’s degree. She is licensed as an Enrolled Agent (now retired). She began her accounting career in 1980 as a staff accountant and retired in 2010. Sherry has remained active to assist with tax preparation during the tax season. Her interests outside of work include volunteer work and traveling.

Cheryl specializes in tax planning and compliance for individuals, corporations, trusts and estates. She has twenty-seven years’ experience in public accounting, beginning with Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP in Greenville, and eleven years working for Charlie Varn.

She was licensed by the SC Board of Accountancy in 1993, is a member of the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Cheryl hold a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Furman University. She is married to Dan and they have two daughters and two grandsons.

Dana Peele, a tax accountant/consultant joined Varn, Render & Co. CPAs, LLC in 2020. Prior to joining Varn Render, Dana garnered tax and accounting experience working in public and private accounting. Many years of experience allows her to accomplish one goal - making client's lives easier while making their businesses better! In addition to being a CPA, Dana holds an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in Accounting from Clemson University and she is an avid fan of all Clemson sports.

In her spare time she can be found watching her son play baseball or playing with their yorkiepoo, Champ.