Carla Hingos, CPA

After spending the majority of my career working in public accounting, and in the client accounting services industry, I realized my passion is supporting small business owners and startup founders who are putting everything they’ve got into turning their dream into a reality.  

My goal is to be your trusted partner in accounting.  I’m committed to managing your accounting to provide the clear and accurate financial reporting you need to make smart decisions to drive your business forward. 

In 2024, I founded Nellie & Gene, a boutique accounting firm helping small business owners and startup founders by providing accurate and reliable financial reporting so they can make informed decisions to grow their company. 

My thirty year career began in accounting after graduating with honors from the State University of New York - Plattsburgh, with a B.S of Accounting degree, and a minor in Mathematics.  I lived in upstate New York, better known as the North Country, and gained first hand experience in tax and audit while working for firms in New York, and then in Vermont.

I moved to North Carolina in 1997, taking a job as grants manager for the Dept of Oncology at UNC Chapel Hill.  I then spent 3 years as an auditor with a large regional firm located in Durham, NC.  This experience was key in developing my ability to prepare financial statements. By auditing each component of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement, I gained a solid understanding of how they all work together to paint a financial picture of a business. I also became well-versed in preparing financial statements that comply with GAAP standards, which meant the companies I audited had accurate financial information to share with their shareholders. 

Soon after the 9/11 tragedy, I was honored to join the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross as their Accounting Director.  I was responsible for ensuring financial reports were accurately and timely provided to the Board, and also to the National Chapter.  A main objective during this time was to ensure money donated for the 9/11 Fund was promptly remitted to the National Chapter to distribute to families and organizations in need of support.  This position was a highlight in my career and one I am most proud of.  

I founded a micro accounting firm in 2004, providing fractional accounting services to nonprofit organizations in the Raleigh-Durham area.   I then spent three years working for one client as a financial analyst, and then went back to client accounting services in 2016 and haven’t looked back.  

I received my CPA license in 2000.  I hold a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and an Essentials of Human Resources Certificate from Catapult Employers Association.  

I am a Certified Nonprofit Professional issued by BDO FMA in 2020.  More recently I obtained a certification from the Wharton Business School Executive Education Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, and am currently enrolled in a nine month Chief Financial Officer Program at Columbia Business School Executive Education.   At Columbia, I am studying advanced CFO topics, including Advanced Financial Statement Analysis, Venture Capital Funding and AI Driven Marketing Strategy.  

I am an avid, lifelong learner and believe there is always more knowledge to gain from others.

I am a member of the North Carolina Association of CPA’s, the Cary Chamber of Commerce, the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and the Apex Chamber of Commerce.   

I have lived in Raleigh, NC for 28 years.  While Raleigh is now my home, I am a Northerner at heart.  I love the snow in winter, apple cider donuts and the smell of a wood burning fire.  

My husband and I purchased a mid-century fixer upper, located in Raleigh, after we were married in 2003, and are still fixing it up.   It's not as much fun as it looks on TV.

My daughter is a junior at Appalachian State studying Interior Design and Construction.   She has recently completed a study abroad program in Vienna, Austria. 

My son is a junior in high school, and is planning to study aviation mechanics and electronics after graduation at the Pittsburgh Institution of Aeronautics.  He participates in a varsity club Rowing team, stroke seat, and competes in regattas across the SouthEast.  He was selected to row with his team for the past two years at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, MA.

I have two dogs, Phoebe and Sadie, and a conure (tiny bird) named Mango.  For fun I enjoy gardening, hiking, kayaking and am currently training for the NC Mountain to Coast Cycle Ride in 2026.  I also enjoy reading a good book, and weekend naps.