A North Carolina CPA You Can Actually Talk To
Thomas Woolbright, CPA, MT
TITLE
Associate Principal
HOMETOWN
Franklin, NC
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
14
EDUCATION
"There is one rule, above all others, for being a man. Whatever comes, face it on your feet." - al'Lan Mandragoran (The Wheel of Time)
Thomas Woolbright is a CPA with deep expertise in tax services for small businesses and individuals. His specialty spans estate and trust planning, tax research, and strategic planning designed for efficiency. Thomas believes true value goes beyond simply filing “correct” returns; he strives to equip clients with clarity and confidence in their finances.
Before his career in accounting, Thomas served as an Intelligence Analyst in the NC Army National Guard and worked as a service writer at a local dealership, roles that taught him discipline, multitasking, and the work ethic he brings to every client engagement.
His journey to Dark Horse began at a small firm, where he developed hands-on experience and a client-focused approach. After advancing to shareholder level, he sought more complex challenges and moved to a regional firm. There, he found the work impersonal and unsustainable until he discovered Dark Horse. Here, Thomas found the best of both worlds: the structure to support meaningful, personalized client work and the flexibility to maintain balance and authenticity in his relationships and approach.
Originally from South Florida, Thomas now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife, JuliaMarie, and their three sons: Thomas, Anthony, and Benedict. Born within two years of each other, they ensure that life at home is never quiet.
When not advising clients, Thomas is a competitive bowler who has thrown perfect games and even converted the legendary 7–10 split. He also enjoys tennis (despite claiming no skill), golf, board games, and PC gaming. A Denver Broncos fan, he follows tennis closely and counts Wimbledon as the highlight of the sports calendar. An avid reader, The Wheel of Time tops his list of favorite series, with the timeless works of Jane Austen not far behind.
Specialties
Estate Trusts Tax Services
Tax Planning
1031 Exchanges
Business Tax
Rental Properties
Industries
Tax Advisory & Estate Planning Expertise in Franklin, NC
When it comes to managing wealth, planning for the future, and preserving assets, you need a CPA who understands both the technical and personal sides of financial strategy. Your dedicated Franklin CPA, Thomas Woolbright, provides high-level tax advisory and estate and trust planning services to help individuals and families protect what they’ve built and prepare for what’s next.
As an Associate Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Thomas combines deep expertise in tax law, compliance, and wealth transfer strategies with a proactive advisory approach. He helps clients minimize estate and income taxes, structure trusts effectively, and align tax strategy with long-term financial and legacy goals. From multi-generational wealth planning to trust administration and complex estate filings, Thomas delivers clarity, confidence, and trusted guidance every step of the way.
THOMAS WOOLBRIGHT, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
“Early in my career, I saw the same gap in nearly every engagement: plenty of compliance, not enough strategy. Clients weren’t getting proactive, advisory-level guidance. I joined Dark Horse CPAs because the firm shares my advisory-first mindset and empowers Principals to create real, measurable value in every relationship. That’s the standard I bring to my practice—clear planning, candid guidance, and year-round follow-through.”
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.
Tax Strategy & Compliance for North Carolina Locals
The Problem: Many individuals and families in North Carolina don’t realize how much thoughtful tax planning and estate structuring can impact their long-term wealth. Without the right guidance, it’s easy to miss opportunities to reduce taxes, preserve assets, and protect your legacy.
The Solution: Thomas Woolbright, CPA specializes in personalized tax advisory, estate, and trust planning for North Carolina residents. He works closely with individuals and families to develop proactive strategies that minimize tax exposure, simplify trust administration, and align wealth transfer plans with personal goals. Whether managing complex estates, optimizing charitable giving, or navigating multi-generational planning, Thomas helps clients make informed, strategic decisions that bring clarity and confidence.
THOMAS WOOLBRIGHT, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
“I take pride in helping families simplify complex tax and estate matters. By planning ahead, we can reduce taxes, protect assets, and ensure your legacy supports the people and causes you care about most.”
Accounting Solutions for North Carolina Businesses.
The Problem: Many North Carolina business owners focus on running their operations but lack the strategic tax planning needed to protect profits and support long-term growth. With state corporate income taxes, sales and use tax obligations, and complex federal compliance requirements, even successful businesses can leave money on the table without proactive guidance.
The Solution: As an Associate Principal at Dark Horse CPAs, Thomas Woolbright, CPA provides North Carolina businesses with comprehensive tax advisory services that go far beyond annual compliance. He works with owners to design and implement strategies that minimize tax liability, improve cash flow, and align entity structure with long-term goals. From multi-entity planning and business succession strategies to federal and state tax optimization, Thomas helps business owners make tax-smart decisions that strengthen their companies today and position them for future success.
THOMAS WOOLBRIGHT, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
“My goal is to help business owners move beyond compliance and into strategy—creating tax plans that drive profitability, protect cash flow, and set the foundation for sustainable growth.”
Nancy R.
I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.
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