Fractional CFO & Financial Advisory from your Charlotte CPA

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

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Wayne Eager, CPA

704-741-5461 wayne.eager@darkhorse.cpa LinkedIn

Title Principal

Hometown Omaha, NE

Years of Experience 11+

Education

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

— John Wooden

Wayne isn’t a desk jockey (pun intended). Sure, he crunches numbers at his desk but he’s also a body that’s constantly in motion. In fact, he is a Certified Personal Trainer on top of being a Certified Public Accountant. Either way you slice it, Wayne is a certified great guy and an ally to his colleagues and clients alike.

Wayne has 12 years of experience in public accounting across a wide range of clientele and industries. His primary focus and passion has been providing tax planning services for entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals, helping them to minimize their taxes and maximize their financial options. He was previously a partner at a Top 100, national CPA firm prior to joining Dark Horse.

When not serving the tax needs of his clients, Wayne can be found spending quality time with his family, which includes his wife, Ashley, and their three kids, Landon, Bennett and Kinsley. As a group, you’ll find them on various local bike trails, tossing the football around the yard or sitting at the backyard fire pit listening to music.

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Specialties

Tax Strategy & Planning
High-Net Worth Individuals
Tax Preparation
1031 Exchange
Entity Structuring Consulting
Multi-State Filings

Industries

Real Estate
Construction
Professional Services

Book a Meeting

Wayne Eager, CPA , Principal

704-741-5461 wayne.eager@darkhorse.cpa LinkedIn

Title Principal

Hometown Omaha, NE

Years of Experience 11+

Education

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

— John Wooden

Read Full Bio

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

Specialties

Tax Strategy & Planning
High-Net Worth Individuals
Tax Preparation
1031 Exchange
Entity Structuring Consulting
Multi-State Filings

Industries

Real Estate
Construction
Professional Services

Your Charlotte CPA for Tax Planning and Advisory Services

Charlotte is a fast-growing hub for finance, real estate, healthcare, and small business innovation—making it essential to have a CPA who understands both the local economy and complex tax strategy. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or family looking for proactive financial guidance, your dedicated Charlotte CPA, Wayne Eager , is here to help.

As a Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Wayne goes beyond traditional tax prep. He delivers forward-looking tax planning, personalized accounting advisory, and business solutions designed to help Charlotte professionals and companies grow with confidence. From compliance and tax filings to strategic financial insight, Wayne is a trusted partner committed to your success in the Queen City.

Talk to your Charlotte CPA

Wayne Eager, CPA, Principal

When I first learned about Dark Horse, what caught my attention was how they approached outsourced accounting and fractional CFO services. As I dug deeper, I discovered a firm that isn’t just solving the challenges clients face in managing their finances — they’re doing it in a way that delivers clarity, strategy, and lasting impact. Dark Horse puts its greatest asset — its people — first, equipping them with the tools, support, and freedom to build strong client relationships and deliver exceptional results. The outcome of this model is clear: clients get proactive, high-level financial guidance, and our team members get to thrive both professionally and personally.

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80%

Net Promoter Score

The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 80% of our clients would recommend us to a friend

Net Promoter Score

Companies use this metric to gauge how happy their customers are with their services. It's calculated by taking the percentage of "promoters" minus the % of "detractors. "The average NPS score for the accounting industry is 39%, less than the DMV! We believe it's important to share that we have successfully fulfilled our promise to WOW clients and consistently monitor this metric to ensure we continue to deliver on the highest level.

550+

5-Star Reviews

Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.

5-Star Reviews

When someone shares their experience with us online, we find it extremely valuable to know where we've exceeded expectations and where we can improve. Many of our clients decide to engage with us as a result of reading about other Dark Horse clients’ experiences. Even when things do not go as planned, we do everything we can to make it right.

90%

Retention Rate

We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.

Retention Rate

This is the frequency of repeat business from our clients that work with us. This means that 9 out of 10 clients use us for subsequent years. That shows us that people enjoy working with our CPAs, are pleased with the work, and want to continue with Dark Horse over the long term.

80%

Net Promoter Score

The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 80% of our clients would recommend us to a friend

Net Promoter Score

550+

5-Star Reviews

Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.

5-Star Reviews

90%

Retention Rate

We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.

Retention Rate

Fractional CFO Services in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte's financial services, technology, and real estate industries are growing at a pace that is creating strong demand for senior CFO leadership at the mid-market level. Dark Horse CPA provides outsourced CFO services for Charlotte businesses that need strategic financial oversight without the full-time cost.

Our Charlotte fractional CFO engagements cover monthly financial management, cash flow and liquidity planning, board reporting, and strategic advisory for growth, financing, and ownership transition decisions.

Wayne Eager, CPA, Principal

Most business owners review their financials after the fact, to see what happened. A CFO mindset flips that. You're looking ahead, modeling scenarios, and making decisions before the cash problem shows up. That shift from reactive to proactive is what fractional CFO support brings.

Tax Strategy & Compliance for Charlotte Locals

The Problem: Filing your personal tax return shouldn’t be the moment you discover an unwanted surprise. Yet many Charlotte taxpayers feel the sting—whether it’s an unexpected balance due, a smaller refund than anticipated, or realizing they left valuable tax savings on the table.

At Dark Horse CPAs, we believe in No Surprises—especially the costly kind. That’s why we take a proactive approach, working collaboratively with you throughout the year to reduce liabilities, maximize savings, and keep you fully compliant with federal and North Carolina tax laws. Every engagement includes personalized tax planning and compliance strategies with your CPA, ensuring you don’t just react at tax time—you plan ahead.

Tax Solutions for People

Wayne Eager, CPA, Principal

The U.S. tax system is complex, and IRS letters often create fear. I love helping clients move from fear to confidence—knowing they’re compliant and using the tax code to their advantage. Serving as a trusted advisor to small business owners and individuals through that process is deeply rewarding.

Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for Charlotte Businesses

The Problem: Too many Charlotte business owners make financial decisions without timely, accurate, and actionable data. On top of that, many aren’t receiving the strategic tax guidance they need to stay compliant and reduce their tax burden. The result? Missed opportunities, higher risk, and avoidable tax bills.

At Dark Horse CPAs, we solve this by combining bookkeeping, tax compliance, and proactive tax strategy for Charlotte businesses of every size. With accurate financial data and CPA-level insights, you can make tax-savvy, growth-focused decisions year-round—not just at filing time. Our Advisory-First approach ensures you get forward-looking strategies that minimize risk, maximize savings, and position your business for long-term success.

Solution for Business

Wayne Eager, CPA, Principal

Small business owners often juggle a CPA for taxes, a bookkeeper for records, and their own financial analysis—leaving gaps and overwhelm. A holistic approach that combines tax preparation, planning, and financial strategy with the owner’s goals is simply a better way.

Fractional CFO FAQs: Charlotte, NC

What does outsourced CFO mean for a Charlotte NC business?

Outsourced CFO means your company gains access to a senior financial executive on a part-time or contract basis. For Charlotte businesses, this typically means monthly financial reviews, strategic modeling, and access to CFO-level counsel without the cost of a full-time hire.

Do you work with Charlotte financial services firms?

Yes. Charlotte's banking and financial services sector is one of the largest in the US. We work with financial services businesses, RIAs, and fintech companies in Charlotte that need CFO-level financial oversight and regulatory-aware financial strategy.

What Charlotte industries does Dark Horse CPA serve with fractional CFO?

We serve Charlotte businesses across technology, healthcare, real estate, professional services, and financial services. Charlotte's position as the second-largest banking center in the US creates demand for CFO-level financial expertise across the companies that support that ecosystem.

How much do fractional CFO services cost for a Charlotte business?

Engagements are structured as monthly retainers scoped to complexity and hours. Contact us to discuss your company's specific needs and receive a scope-based estimate.

How is a fractional CFO different from hiring a full-time CFO in Charlotte?

A full-time CFO carries significant overhead in salary, benefits, and equity. A fractional CFO from Dark Horse CPA provides senior-level financial leadership at a fraction of that cost, scaling up or down as your needs change without the commitment of a full-time hire.

Nancy R.

I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.

Jude T.

After years of feeling underwhelmed by every tax professional I worked with, we finally found Chris Ries at Dark Horse. We did a wide search for a CPA who could handle both our business and personal needs. Chris stood out from the start. He's not just deeply knowledgeable about tax law - he's genuinely thoughtful and strategic in how he applies it to your specific situation. What truly sets Chris apart is how responsive and engaged he is throughout the entire year. Our strategy sessions allowed us to get ahead of issues long before tax season, which made the whole process significantly smoother and less stressful.

Kyle T.

With our prior accountant we didn't feel we were receiving adequate tax guidance and felt we were always paying more than our fair share of taxes. We have been very pleased with the service we have received with Adam Ripperdan. He has taken the time to review in detail our current situation and upcoming plans. With that information he has helped us create tax strategies for our businesses, investments, and personal taxes that not only help us save on taxes but also helps us plan for the future. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs.

David H.

Chris is exceptional. He is far more professional, clear in his communication, and knowledgeable than any CPA I’ve worked with. He has expertly managed both my personal and business tax needs and consistently goes above and beyond—helping me make informed, strategic decisions well in advance of future tax filings. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Johnny E.

Chris with Dark Horse is great! He provides so much information and helps me learn about my taxes, not just filing them. He is very passionate about his work and I appreciate the work he does for my company!

John T.

Provides great service. Very professional. Very responsive to questions and inquiries. Very punctual, I would highly recommend their services.

Nancy R.

I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.

Jude T.

Kyle T.

David H.

Johnny E.

John T.

Provides great service. Very professional. Very responsive to questions and inquiries. Very punctual, I would highly recommend their services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Strategies and Savings

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Fractional CFO & Financial Advisory from your Charlotte CPA

Wayne Eager, CPA

Your Charlotte CPA for Tax Planning and Advisory Services

80%

Net Promoter Score

Net Promoter Score

550+

5-Star Reviews

5-Star Reviews

90%

Retention Rate

Retention Rate

80%

Net Promoter Score

Net Promoter Score

550+

5-Star Reviews

5-Star Reviews

90%

Retention Rate

Retention Rate

Fractional CFO Services in Charlotte, NC

Tax Strategy & Compliance for Charlotte Locals

Tax Strategy & Accounting Solutions for Charlotte Businesses

Fractional CFO FAQs: Charlotte, NC

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Strategies and Savings

Choosing the Right Business Entity as a Pro Esports Player: LLC, S-Corp, or Sole Proprietorship

Collaboration and Innovation: Dark Horse CPAs

SPEED ROUND: 1031 Exchanges

Get a personable & experienced CPA who will partner with you to achieve unparalleled results.