A Balanced Approach to Business
After many years working as a CFO and as an analyst, Chad and Shannon left their W-2 jobs in search of something more. They launched Polaris Tax and Business Services out of a desire to find more purpose and balance in their work and use their unique strengths to help small businesses do that too.
Now, more than five years later, they’re more passionate than ever about empowering their clients to understand and improve their business finances. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Polaris Tax and Business Services supports photographers, artists, makers, manufacturers, and rental property owners located all across the country.
Your Personalized Accounting Team
Whether you’re looking for help on a specific financial question or you’re not even sure where to start, we’re here for you. Meeting with us should feel as comfortable as sitting down for coffee with friends. Bring your confusion and concerns, and we’ll provide clear guidance and an action plan to get you and your business on track. Our experienced team has helped dozens of clients over the years, and we’d love to help you too.
Chad Herron
Enrolled Agent
Licensed Tax Consultant
Growing up in the family business, Chad saw the many rewards and pressures of being a small business owner. This perspective, combined with 15 years of financial leadership experience, informs Chad’s unique ability to help individuals and small businesses tackle the pressures of bookkeeping, taxes, and business decisions so they can focus on the rewards.
After earning a degree in accounting and economics from the University of Richmond, Chad launched his accounting career as the controller of his family’s business. Ready for a new challenge, he then went on to join a fast-growing product manufacturing firm, Nite Ize, where he served as Controller and CFO. Throughout his 10-year tenure, the company grew from 40 employees to more than 200. Chad helped the company adapt to this growth while preserving long-term financial stability.
When Chad isn’t crunching numbers, he enjoys running, learning guitar, reading, and hiking with his wife Shannon and their dog Chewie.
Shannon Culek
Enrolled Agent
Licensed Tax Consultant
Shannon’s career has been shaped by her desire to help others. When her husband Chad decided to open Polaris Tax and Business Services, she couldn’t resist the opportunity to use her skills to address a common source of stress—bookkeeping, taxes, and business decisions. In her work with clients, Shannon leverages years of experience as an analyst to provide attentive, detail-oriented guidance.
After earning her degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Shannon worked in economic consulting at Analysis Group for five years. While there, she worked on complex economic models and reports with an emphasis on transfer pricing analyses for international tax clients. Following her desire to support others, she then spent the next several years working in senior care and personal nutrition consulting. When she joined Chad at Polaris, she completed the IRS examinations to become an Enrolled Agent and has never looked back.
When Shannon isn't busy at work, she enjoys hiking with Chad and their dog Chewie, playing in the snow, reading, and practicing mindful living.
Chewie
Head Tax Dog
Chewing Enthusiast
The newest member of our tax team, Chewie, joined Polaris Tax and Business Services in October 2020. At the office, he enjoys laying beneath our desks and eating our socks, stealing tissues from our pockets, and, as his name implies, chewing on bones and other assorted household items.
Mail shredding is Chewie's main area of focus, although he is trying to convince us to add a chair eating department. We’ve encouraged Chewie to get his EA license, but he seems to think EA stands for Eating Aficionado.
Our True North
We started Polaris Tax and Business Services from a place of purpose and intention. At the heart of it, we are people that care. Though our business has grown and changed over the years, our commitment to our core values has always been our guiding force.
Authenticity
We don’t have a business persona. We’re just a couple of accountants running a small business like you and we want to help!
Integrity
We always aim to do the right thing at all times and in all circumstances.
Community
We know how much small businesses help keep their communities strong, which is why we’ve dedicated our practice to helping them.
Trustworthiness
We take great pride in providing insightful and accurate guidance to help our clients reach their potential.
Kindness
We’re firm believers in spreading the love. After all, we’re here to reduce your stress, not increase it.
Humor
A little laughter always brightens the day!
Ready to learn more about working together?
Let’s chat.
Good Work
We believe business can be a force for good. As a member business of 1% For the Planet, we commit to giving at least 1% of our annual sales directly to approved environmental nonprofits.
We’re proud to support organizations doing good in communities we love.
