About Us
Sharpe Patel CPA is the premiere accounting firm of North Carolina. Whether working with small to medium sized businesses to individual taxpayers, our expertise brings creative accounting solutions to our customers. We serve North Carolina with offices located in Charlotte and Raleigh.
Our mission
Provide high quality, efficient and timely accounting services to individuals, businesses and governmental entities. Being a partner and trusted advisor of our clients. Create a culture that supports the growth of our staff and promotes excellent client service.
Jay Sharpe
Audit Partner
Jay E. Sharpe, CPA, CFE, is the Audit Partner of the firm and in charge of the Raleigh office. He has over twenty years of experience in public accounting, working with a variety of types of not-for-profits, government agencies and small to mid-size businesses.
Jay and his team will work with you to meet all your organization’s assurance needs.
Accreditation and Licenses
Jay E. Sharpe is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of North Carolina. He is also licensed as a certified fraud examiner. Jay received his degrees in the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Masters in accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (Go Seahawks!).
Personal Life Jay lives in Raleigh with his wife Elizabeth and their three kids, twins Ella Wood and Lucas and Logan and three dogs. He enjoys rock music, teaching, cooking and the beach.
Jacob allen
Senior Audit manager
Jacob Allen, CPA, is an Audit Manager in the Raleigh office of Sharpe Patel PLLC. Jacob practices in the areas of auditing and attestation. He has over ten years of experience in public accounting and his areas of expertise including towns, charter schools, HUD properties, not-for-profits, employee benefit plans and a variety of small to mid-sized businesses.
Accreditation and Licenses
Jacob is a licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of North Carolina. He received his bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Campbell University and received his Masters in accountancy from North Carolina State University.
Personal Life Jacob lives in Raleigh with his wife Diane, their two children, William and Hunter, and their dog, Slash. He enjoys golf, watching sports and spending time with family.
Personal Life Leizl lives in Raleigh with her partner, Tara and lots of fur babies who love to go to the beach, the lake, Raleigh state parks and festivals, and exploring various adventures any chance they get!
Leizl Pawlyk
Audit MANAGER
Leizl Pawlyk, CPA, CFE is an Audit Manager with Sharpe Patel in the Raleigh office. She has worked with a number of different clients in various industries including nonprofits, governmental agencies, charter schools, affordable housing, foundations, and captive insurance, among others.
Accreditation and Licenses
Leizl is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of North Carolina. She is also licensed as a Certified Fraud Examiner and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Leizl received her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Masters of Science in Accountancy from North Carolina State University, and is a proud supporter of the NCSU wolfpack!
Jacob Tripp
Audit mANAGER
Jacob Tripp, CPA is an a with Sharpe Patel in the Raleigh office. Jacob has experience in areas including governments, charter schools, Boards of Education, not-for-profit organizations, captive insurance, HUD properties, and 401(k) employee benefit plans.
Accreditation and Licenses
Jacob is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of North Carolina, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Jacob received his degree in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Towson University.
Personal Life Jacob lives in Raleigh with his wife Brenna, their daughter Katherine, and their two cats. He enjoys playing soccer and going to the movies.
Personal Life Sarah lives in Cary with her husband Colby and one dog, Riley. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and trips to the beach.
Sarah Jones
Senior Audit Associate
Sarah Jones is an Audit Associate of the firm and works in the Raleigh office. She has experience in public accounting, working with a variety of types of not-for-profits, government agencies and small to mid-size businesses.
Accreditation and Licenses
Sarah received her degree in Bachelor of Accounting and Economics with a minor in Finance from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing her license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Edward DeSaussure
Senior Audit Associate
Edward DeSaussure is a Senior Audit Associate in the Charlotte office of Sharpe Patel. Edward has over five years of experience working with governmental, not-for-profit, manufacturing and insurance organizations of all sizes.
Accreditation and Licenses
Edward is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Having earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, as well as a Master of Science in Accounting . Edward is a proud member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants and is currently pursuing his license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Personal Life Edward lives in Mooresville with his wife and cat. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time traveling and exploring the great outdoors.
Personal Life Mario lives in Clayton with his wife Cara and their dog, Milo. He enjoys golf, working out, and spending time with family.
mario peroni
Senior Audit Associate
Mario Peroni is a Senior Audit Associate with Sharpe Patel and works in the Raleigh Office. He has experience in public accounting, working with a variety of types of not-for-profits, towns, charter schools, small and mid-sized businesses, and employee benefit plans.
Accreditation and Licenses
Mario received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at West Liberty University and his Masters in Accountancy from West Virginia University. He is pursuing his license as a Certified Public Accountant.
KRISTINE ZITT
Senior Audit Associate
Kristine Zitt is a Senior Audit Associate with Sharpe Patel and works in the Raleigh office. She has experience in public accounting, working with not-for-profits, local governments, and school districts.
Accreditation and Licenses
Kristine received her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance as well as a minor in Economics from Augustana College. She is pursuing her license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Personal Life Kristine lives in Raleigh with her fiancé Ryan and their two cats. She enjoys watching Chicago sports teams and exploring restaurants in Raleigh!
Personal Life Elizabeth lives in Holly Springs with her husband Joel and their dog, Archer. She enjoys traveling and baking.
Elizabeth Montalvo
Audit Associate
Elizabeth Montalvo is an Audit Associate with Sharpe Patel and works in the Raleigh office. She has experience with a variety of not-for-profit organizations, captive insurance and HUD properties.
Accreditation and Licenses
Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from North Carolina State University. She is pursuing her license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Hannah Schneggenburger
Audit Associate
Hannah Schneggenburger is an Audit Associate with Sharpe Patel and works in the Raleigh Office. She has experience with not-for-profits, charter schools, affordable housing, and captive insurance.
Accreditation and Licenses
Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Science in Accountancy from Campbell University. She is currently pursuing her license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Personal Life Hannah lives in Angier with her two cats, Boots and Pebbles. She enjoys spending time with family and searching for treasures at the thrift store.
Personal Life Carter lives in Raleigh and enjoys watching sports (mainly NC State!), traveling and staying active.
Carter Pollock
Audit Associate
Carter Pollock is an Audit Associate with Sharpe Patel and works in the Raleigh office. This is his first full-time role and is looking forward to working with our audit team. Before joining Sharpe Patel, Carter has had experience with supply chain finance, not-for-profit organizations and retail.
Accreditation and Licenses
Carter received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from North Carolina State University. He is potentially pursuing his Master’s and license as a Certified Public Accountant.
rueben garcia
Audit Associate
Rueben Garcia is an Audit Associate in the Charlotte office of Sharpe Patel CPA. This is his first full-time role and looks forward to working with the Sharpe Patel team and clients.
Accreditation and Licenses
Rueben received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is potentially pursuing his master’s and license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Personal Life Rueben lives in Charlotte, NC with his fiance Solae and two dogs, Moose and Toby. Rueben enjoys working out, watching movies and going to Target.
Personal Life Bridgett lives in Raleigh with her dog and cat, Echo and River. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, training her Belgian Malinois, and traveling to explore new foods and sights.
bridgett thomson
Audit Associate
Bridgett Thomson is an Audit Associate with Sharpe Patel and works in the Raleigh office. She has experience in public accounting, working with a number of different clients in various industries including commercial, construction, and internal banking.
Accreditation and Licenses
Bridgett received her degrees in Bachelor of Science Business Administration, and her Masters in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is currently pursuing her license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Alison Hammett
Audit Associate
Alison Hammett is an Audit Associate of the firm and works in the Wilmington Office. Prior to joining Sharpe Patel, she worked in commercial property management with a focus on lease reconciliations and accounting for 35+ commercial properties in Southeastern NC. Her audit experience includes governmental, charter schools, and affordable housing.
Accreditation and Licenses
Alison will complete her Master of Science in Accountancy from UNC-Wilmington in Spring 2025 and is pursuing her CPA license. She also holds real estate broker licenses in NC and FL and a BA in Biology from UNCW.
Personal Life Alison is a NC native and long-time resident of Wilmington. She lives with her fiancé, Tim, and their two cats. Her spare time is spent motorcycling, attending car and motorcycle events, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.