Chapel Hill CPA · Serving the Triangle
Clear guidance for every tax season.
Beacon Tax & Advisory helps individuals, families, and growing businesses across Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh file with confidence and plan with purpose. CPA-led from the first conversation to the final signature.
- CPA-ledLicensed expertise on every return
- Rooted in the TriangleBased in Chapel Hill
- Secure by designEncrypted document exchange
- Year-roundHere long after April 15
What we do
Tax work done carefully, and advice that looks ahead.
From a single household return to the books behind a growing practice, Beacon brings the same care to every engagement: accurate filing, clear explanations, and a plan for what comes next.
Individual & Family Tax
Thorough federal and NC returns for households with more than a W-2: equity pay, rentals, investments, and moves.
Learn moreSmall Business Tax
Returns and compliance for S corps, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietors, plus entity and owner-pay decisions.
Learn moreTax Planning & Strategy
Projections, timing, and strategy through the year, so April brings no surprises.
Learn moreAdvisory & Tax Notices
Help with IRS and NC notices, prior-year cleanup, and second opinions on big decisions.
Learn moreWhy Beacon
Senior expertise. Personal attention.
Large firms often hand returns to seasonal staff you never meet. Beacon is built the other way around, so the person who understands your situation is the one doing the work.
A CPA on every engagement
Your return is prepared and reviewed with a CPA's direct involvement. It is never passed down the line.
One consistent point of contact
You work with the same advisor year after year, someone who already knows your history and your goals.
Proactive, not just seasonal
Planning conversations happen before deadlines, when there is still time to change the outcome.
Connected to your other advisors
We coordinate with your financial advisor, attorney, and bookkeeper so your plan works as one.
“Tax advisory, like any business relationship, is built on trust. My duty is to arm my clients with the facts so they can make the most informed decisions possible. Consider me your partner in taxes.”
How it works
A clear path from first call to filed.
A defined process means you always know what happens next, what we need from you, and when to expect it.
Introductory call
A short conversation about your situation, your goals, and whether Beacon is the right fit.
Secure onboarding
You receive an engagement letter, a clear fee quote, and a personalized document checklist.
Preparation & review
Your return is prepared, reviewed line by line, and walked through with you before anything is filed.
File & plan ahead
We e-file, confirm acceptance, and set a planning check-in for the year ahead.
Who we serve
Built for the people who make the Triangle run.
Individuals & families
Households with growing complexity, from new homes to new children to college savings.
Tech & research professionals
RTP employees with RSUs, stock options, ESPPs, and multi-state income.
Healthcare & university professionals
Physicians, researchers, and faculty with side income, consulting, or 403(b) and 457 plans.
Business owners & self-employed
Founders, consultants, and practices that need returns, planning, and a sounding board.
Real estate owners
Landlords and investors with rentals, depreciation, and property sales to plan around.
Retirees & pre-retirees
Distribution planning, Social Security timing, Roth conversions, and charitable giving.
Meet your CPA
Meet Matt Sherman, CPA.
Beacon Tax & Advisory is led by Matt Sherman, a Certified Public Accountant based in Chapel Hill.
Matt built Beacon around a simple idea: clients deserve a CPA who picks up the phone, explains things plainly, and thinks about their taxes before the deadline instead of after it. When you work with Beacon, Matt is directly involved in your work, and you'll always know who to call.
2027 filing season
Key dates for your 2026 taxes.
The earlier you reach out, the more options you have. Fall and early winter are the best time to get organized and plan.
Q4 estimated tax payment for 2026 is due.
S corporation and partnership returns are due, or extend.
Individual returns and C corporation returns are due, or extend. Q1 2027 estimate is due.
Extended individual returns are due.
Federal deadlines for calendar-year filers; North Carolina generally follows the same dates. See the full 2027 calendar →
Accepting new clients
Now accepting new clients for the 2027 tax season.
New-client availability is limited, and the calendar fills as January approaches. Schedule a short introductory call to see whether Beacon is the right fit for you.