About Us

Our Vision

DSN serves our clients in a holistic manner by providing information that informs and empowers their decision-making process. First, we focus on being strategic in our thinking so clients receive useful, vetted information tailored for their circumstances. Second, we are comprehensive in our approach as we address the details that enable clients to reach their goals. Third, we honor our client relationships with our highest quality work and excellent service. We regard earning a position as our clients’ trusted advisors as the finest compliment we can receive.

Greensboro Office

Mark Nelson’s professional career began in the late 1980s with a national accounting and consulting firm located in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. In 2005, a transfer to Charlotte, NC allowed him to advance his career, as he became the firm’s partner-in-charge of assurance services for the Carolinas. Later, through an opportunity with a regional firm in Charlotte, Mark took a new position as the commercial audit partner-in-charge.

His affiliation with Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A. in Greensboro, NC began in January 2012, when he joined the firm as the lead auditor. In January 2013 Mark Nelson was made a partner.

His experience includes an extensive range of assurance and tax services for non-profit organizations, manufacturing, distribution, insurance, financial services, and technology. Mark has also provided general business consulting for clients, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, budget and cash-flow modeling, prepared financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and interim CFO services for start-ups and companies in transition.

Education, Licensure, and Professional Affiliations

• B.S. in Accounting – Pfeiffer University
• North Carolina Certificate #19066
• American Institute of CPAs
• North Carolina Association of CPAs

Community Affiliations

• Finance Committee Open Door Ministries
• Vice Chair/Treasurer of High Point Community Foundation

Brad joined Dodson, Shelton & Nelson P.A. in June 2014.  His experience includes income tax consulting and compliance for individuals and corporations, assisting clients as they start new businesses, attestation services and financial accounting. Brad became a partner of the firm in January of 2018 and works between our Greensboro and Salisbury locations.

Prior to his work in public accounting, Brad was employed by a third-party pension consulting firm and he served as the finance officer for a non-profit organization.  These positions provided him with understanding and experience in a broad range of retirement plans and the operational needs of non-profit organizations, including reporting requirements, grant writing, and budgeting. 

Brad earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and his Master of Accountancy degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina.  Brad holds NC CPA #33845.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACAP). He has been active in a number of community projects and organizations including the United Way, Salisbury Academy and Family Services of Davidson County, Inc.

Melissa started with Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A. in 1998 and has served as Business Manager since 2009. Melissa collectively has 30-plus years of accounting and tax experience which serves the firm’s business clients by providing bookkeeping, payroll services, compilations, reviews, and year-end planning. She prepares business and individual returns, property tax reports, and annual reports. Her attention to detail is instrumental to the services she provides. She also assists with new business start-up processes and Quick Books training. She tracks all the different business deadlines, helping clients avoid potential penalties. She makes sure to stay up to date on all the accounting and tax changes to give clients the best possible tax advantages and to assist with any notices they receive. Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is an associate member of NCACPA.

Since 1994, Carolyn has worked as a CPA with Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A.; she focuses on partnerships, including real estate partnerships and individual tax returns for DSN.  Her expertise with audits is a valuable resource for the firm’s clients. As she works with businesses and not-for-profit companies, her thorough audits of employee benefit plans include planning, risk assessment, supervision, reporting and resolution of technical issues.  She often partners with clients, acting as an extension of their accounting department, to complete their tax returns.  Carolyn’s education includes a degree in Business Administration from Meredith College and a master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Carolyn holds NC CPA #23809.

As one of Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A.’s original employees, Laura has been preparing individual and business tax returns since 1990.  She also possesses more than two decades of experience in accounting and payroll.   For many of DSN’s clients, Laura is the person working on monthly, quarterly or annual reports and compiling financial statements.  Her services also include preparing payroll checks and W2 forms.  Laura is a member of the American Payroll Association and she attends annual informational updates.

Lindsey Davids is a Certified Public Accountant with over 10 years of assurance experience in public accounting. She has experience with various clients, including not-for-profit organizations, employee benefit plans, commercial, and government contracting.

Lindsey has audit experience pertaining to compliance and internal control analysis, design and integration of accounting systems for small and medium-sized businesses. She is experienced in the full audit process from planning and risk assessment; selection and implementation of appropriate audit procedures and drafting financial statements.  

Lindsey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies and her Master of Accountancy degree from the George Washington University and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina Certificate #34303.  She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA). 

As an enrolled agent with IRS credentialing, Julie specializes in the preparation of individual taxes, fiduciary returns for estates and trusts, and tax planning. With Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A. since 1998, Julie has over 40 years of expertise with all aspects of federal and state tax laws, and regulations governing collections and audit procedures, making her an invaluable client resource. Her year-end tax planning incorporates changes such as income, dependents, marital status, retirement, short-term income tax and long-term retirement goals or any other changes the client may have. This future planning work with clients helps them understand tax advantages that are available to them while working and after retirement to give them the best tax outcome allowable. She stays up to date with all IRS continuing education requirements and all new tax laws, incorporating them into our year-end planning letters and organizers. Julie is a member of the North Carolina Society of Enrolled Agents, National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Association of Tax Professionals and an associate member of NCACPA.

Tina’s career began in 1988 working for Guilford Mills Inc. She started in the Accounts Payable Department and within a year moved into the Payroll Department. She then spent the next 20 years processing payroll for over 2000 employees. Other responsibilities include multi state & EIN payroll tax reporting and then moving into the managing department also gaining knowledge in finance accounting. 

She came to Dodson, Shelton & Nelson P.A. in August of 2018, after spending five years as a Lead Accountant at a Healthcare IT recruiting company.

Tina specializes in payroll, payroll system conversion, billing and collections, bank reconciliation, I-9 audits, benefits administration, tax reporting, cash management, bank conversion, 401k disbursements & reporting and budget analysis. Tina has an associate degree in Business Computer Programming from Central Carolina Community College.

Julia is a Senior Tax Manager and has more than 36 years of experience in public accounting. She began her career working for a regional firm in eastern North Carolina, eventually accepting a role as partner. In 2015 her family moved to the Triad following a career advancement for her husband, when she would begin a career with DSN.  She focuses on providing tax services to individuals, businesses, estates & trusts as well as non-profit organizations. She also provides consulting services, tax resolution services and preparation and compilation of financial statements.

Education

Meredith College – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting

Professional, Civic Memberships and Licensure

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA)
• Madison-Mayodan Rotary Club – Past President
• Belews Landing Homeowners Association – Past Secretary
• Main Street United Methodist Church of Kernersville – Endowment Committee

CPA License #21008

Outside the Office

Julia enjoys spending as much time as possible at the beach. She enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Joseph R. Listman joined Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, PA in January 2022.  Prior to that, he owned his own accounting firm since January 2000 where he worked with small businesses and individuals with tax preparation and planning, business advisory services, business compliance, and payroll tax preparation.  In addition, he has assisted clients to setup and maintain their QuickBooks accounting software and some light financial planning. 

Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Indiana University in Bloomington in June 1992.  After graduating, he moved to Evansville, Indiana and worked in Public Accounting with Vowels Harrison & Schaaf.  In June 1996, he moved to Greensboro, NC to work for Bernard Robinson & Company.  In 2000, he took a position at Western Rockingham Family Medicine, PA as their financial manager and started his own CPA firm.  He achieved his North Carolina CPA license in 1996 and is a member of the North Carolina Association of CPA’s and American Institute of CPA’s.

Joe has been working in the public accounting field since 2017 and joined Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A. in June 2024. With his knowledge and experience in the areas of assurance and taxation he is able to provide individuals, businesses and not-for-profits with consulting, compliance and reporting expertise. He earned undergraduate degrees from both North Carolina State University and Guilford College. Joe is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina (Certificate #47202). He also holds professional memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA). Joe and his wife, Chandler, live in Greensboro with their daughter, Reynolds. Away from the office, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, concerts, running and cheering for the NC State Wolfpack.

Madison Office

Barry Dodson began his professional career when he opened Barry Z Dodson CPA in 1973 in Madison, NC. In February 2018 he became a Partner and merged his firm into Dodson Shelton & Nelson P.A.

Barry currently serves on the Golden Leaf Foundation Board and has served terms on the NC Education Lottery Board and the NC Hospital Association Board. He has served over 30 years as a member of the Board of Trustees for Annie Penn Hospital and Moses Cone Health System, as well as 20 years as Director at FNB Southeast, Newbridge Bank & Yadkin Bank.

He has extensive experience relating to hotel and restaurants, golf course development, business financing & development, estate taxation, funeral home consulting, and professional practice development. 

Education, Licensure, and Professional Affiliations

• Graduate of High Point College (University)
• Graduate of the NC Bank Directors College
• North Carolina Certificate# 15406
• American Institute of CPA’s
• North Carolina Association of CPAs

Community Affiliations

• Trustee First Baptist Church of Madison
• 32 Degree Mason & Shriner

Kim’s career began in 1983 when she joined a national insurance company HQ in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. She worked in the accounting department and rose to the position of Associate Controller working on SEC filings to take the company public. Moving on to serve as controller of a major US elastics company and the CFO of an international textile manufacturer assisting with their qualification as an ISO-9100 certified vendor.

Her affiliation with Dodson, Shelton & Nelson P.A. began in Jan 2000, where she joined the firm as a staff CPA, now serving as a Senior Tax Manager and Lead to our Madison Office. Kim’s passion is to serve her clients and help them meet their business and personal goals.

Her forty plus years of experience in corporate accounting, management, GAAP, cost, and statutory accounting offers exceptional knowledge of business process. She has extensive experience in all entities of taxation, as well as payroll services, Quick Books training and services, year-end planning, business startup, attestation services and financial accounting.

Education, Licensure  and Professional Affiliations

• B.S in Accounting – University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• North Carolina Certificate #15658
• American Institute of CPAs
• North Carolina Association of CPAs

Jennifer Ward began her career in 2002 with a public accounting firm located outside of Columbus, Ohio. Her affiliation with Dodson, Shelton, & Nelson P.A. began in 2013, after a move to the Piedmont Triad area allowed her to advance her career. Jennifer is currently serving clients as a Tax Senior in the Madison, NC office.

Her over twenty years of experience includes corporate tax and accounting, individual tax and consulting, bookkeeping, and compiling of financial statements. Jennifer is also proficient in preparing payroll checks, quarterly and annual payroll reporting, monthly business tax filings and QuickBooks training.

Jennifer enjoys building lasting client relationships and celebrating their success along with them. When she is not working to serve her clients, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, listen to music, volunteer at the animal shelter, and read.

She is a member of the North Carolina Association of CPA’s and attends annual updates to stay informed on the changes in tax laws.

As one of Dodson, Shelton & Nelson P.A.’s original employees, Tricia has been an experienced payroll & accounting professional since 1990.

She specializes in the preparation of payroll checks, monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports, sales tax filings, and W-2 / 1099 Forms. Other offerings are accounting services related to bookkeeping, preparing financial statements, and QuickBooks training.

Tricia provides help for clients to make sure they do not miss important deadlines.

Herman Goins began his career in 1986 with a national accounting in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1988, he moved to the corporate tax world with First Union Corporation until returning to public accounting in late 2004 with a local firm in Greensboro, NC. In 2013, he made a major move to a large, west coast regional firm in Phoenix, AZ to work in their tax practice. After three years in AZ, Herman moved back to the east coast to work as Senior Tax Manager for a SC-based public accounting firm in North Charleston, SC and then as the Senior Director of Finance and Controller for the Coastal Community Foundation.

In February 2021, he joined Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, P.A. in the Madison, NC office. This move brought Herman back to the town where he grew up and he has been excited to serve the people of Madison ever since. 

His thirty-nine years of experience includes tax and assurance services, corporate tax and accounting, individual and business tax consulting, as well as software conversion projects. When Herman is not working to serve his clients, he enjoys music, pickleball and spending time with his family and friends.

Education, Licensure and Professional Affiliations

• B.S. in Accounting – Wake Forest University
• North Carolina CPA Certificate #25811
• American Institute of CPAs
• North Carolina Association of CPAs 

Michele Wescott

Admin (Madison)

History

The roots of DSN were established in the early 1980s and by 1989, Sandy Shelton and Ann Craven had created a CPA firm in Greensboro. In 1996, the firm’s name became Craven Shelton & Gann P.A. with Sandy Shelton, Brigitte Gann and Ann Craven as its partners. Associates Laura Staunton, Carolyn Bass, Julie O’Brien and Melissa Craig have been with the firm since its earliest days and continue to serve the firm’s clients with their energy and expertise.

As a relocation moved Ann Craven out of the Triad area and Brigitte Gann’s journey with ALS forced her retirement, Craven Shelton & Gann P.A. evaluated opportunities to strengthen and expand its business services and grow. Mark Nelson joined the firm in 2012 as its lead auditor and he became a partner in January 2013. Mark’s addition expanded the firm’s scope of services already being provided to individuals and their businesses, so the firm changed its name to Shelton Nelson and Associates P.A., effective January 2014. The firm continued to expand in the summer of 2014 with the addition of Brad Whitley, who is now a partner in the firm. Then the firm, with the purchase of the Barry Z. Dodson, CPA firm in February 2018, changed its name to Dodson, Shelton & Nelson, PA.