Our Founders

The Business Edge, Inc. is a Howard County, Maryland-based company providing tax, accounting, management consulting, and technology services for area businesses and professionals. The company began as a CPA firm founded by Alice Stern Burnett. Over the years, the firm’s services have expanded to reflect the growing needs of our clients.

The company’s name changed to more accurately reflect the benefit of the firm’s services’ to give clients the edge they want and need in today’s competitive marketplace.

And, the way they do this is by remaining true to the commitment at the core of the firm’s service-commitment to superior client service that is personal, accurate, and timely. The Business Edge provides services with integrity and passion, stays current on ever-changing tax laws and technology options, and works hand-in-hand with clients in a long-term relationship to identify and proactively address their issues and to seize opportunities. Now, the professionals at The Business Edge invite you to join their growing list of successful clients.

Alice Stern Burnett

CPA, EA, CFP

Alice is a Certified Public Accountant, Enrolled Agent and Certified Financial Planner. She has over 25 years experience working with taxes, accounting, and small businesses. Alice graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in computer science, She is also a graduate of the College of Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado. Alice is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

Alice has served as President of the Association of Practicing CPAs and is a past President of the Bethesda Jaycees. She is a member of the Maryland Society of Accountants, the National Society of Asccountants, and the National Association of Enrolled Agents.

Alice frequently contributes articles to local business publications.

Gary W. Burnett

Director of Technology

Gary has over twenty years experience planning and implementing network solutions, and supporting networks and workstations. He has worked with systems that consist of one machine, networks that service a national company with multiple locations, and everything between. His extensive experience includes Windows-based servers, Linux, and Novell servers.

Gary works closely with businesses to troubleshoot their systems, recommend, design, and implement a solution that works for them.