Accountants for Taxes

Small Business & Personal Tax Accountant

We are in need of a friendly, knowledgeable, patient tax accountant that can: 1) Walk us through gathering what is needed for year end taxes for our mid-sized business - every year it seems we don't know exactly what forms we need (thus the need for patience). 2) Process our business & personal year end taxes efficiently and accurately 3) Be proactive in helping us find tax savings 4) Advise us with best structure for handling spouse's involvement in the business (should she draw a salary, form her own business as a subset of current business, not claim a salary?) 5) Be able to handle ever changing tax laws related to domestic partnerships 6) Point us in the right direction for long term financial planning Again, we want someone who is easy to work with (tolerant of financial naivete), smart & strategic. Thanks! trying to get ducks in a row

Accountant for an artist

Hello! I am a self-employed artist and I am looking for a new accountant in the East Bay (preferably Berkeley or Oakland). I have had the same accountant for 25 years in San Francisco. Someone else took over her company and the rates just skyrocketed! My taxes are not terribly complicated. But I do need someone to prepare them for me. Thanks so much! Lynn Lynn

Seeking CPA good with inherited real estate & tax

We are looking for a Certified Public Accountant who won't be daunted by the complexities of my mother- in-law's estate. She left us seven properties (houses and commercial) to manage for the family trust. Her taxes for 2011 need to be filed, and then there will be her individual taxes for the first part of 2012 and the family trust taxes for the latter part. My husband and I are both self-employed and I do our taxes on Turbo Tax, but this estate business is too rich for my blood! Any suggestions are appreciated. A.

Accountant for personal taxes

Does anyone have an accountant for personal taxes they can recommend in the EB (preferably in the lake merritt/Berkeley/Oakland area)? Thanks! Andrea

Tax accountant for complicated amended returns

My partner has a somewhat complicated tax situation that we need help with. If anyone has dealt with anything even remotely comparable to the following situation and can recommend a stellar tax accountant, we would be grateful...

Accountant for tax

We're looking for a good accountant near Berkeley, one who is flexible and reasonable. We have a quite complicated situation; working outside of the country, also need to file backward for a few years. Please give me any advice. Thank you very much.

Need a CPA ASAP

Hi all - I am looking for a new tax accountant - we're not happy with the guy we have now, and our taxes this year are more complex than usual. We need someone really competent and who can deal with some complexities (separation, house purchase, 1099s, and an overseas acct, etc.). I started looking thru the BPN files and getting in touch with people, but many are not taking new clients at this time ... Do you have someone you like who IS taking new clients? Many thanks

Tax Accountant for Self Employed

I have a small consulting practice that I started the middle of this year. As the end of the year approaches I realize I will be needing tax advice, as I don't know squat about taxes. I am a sole proprietorship, so figure I need to prepare a Schedule C. I would like someone who can either prepare this for me or who can guide me in the process and how to classify my expenses. There don't seem to be a lot of recent recommendations on the website, so I welcome recommendations. I am in Berkeley, and would prefer someone close to that area for travel time purposes. Thank you, Need Tax Help

Looking for accountant for IRS dispute

I'm asking on behalf of a friend who received a letter from the IRS stating that she received income in the form of a 1099 from her brother. She never received such income and her brother says he did not file any such 1099. Has anyone out there worked with either an accountant or attorney who deals with such discrepancies? Thank you so much for your input. This is really causing her duress. anonymous

I had an accountant that made multiple mistakes on my taxes many years ago. To the tune of $10K, which I paid back over time- though a payment plan I set up with the IRS. After it was over, they re-calculated my taxes for that year, and told me that I owed a couple thousand dollars more. I went through my old records and disputed the new charges, and they were immediately dropped. I only had to send one letter explaining to them why they were wrong. I never used a lawyer or CPA for the resolution of the issues with the IRS. I doubt if your friend needs to either.

Another interesting thing that happened to me during this period: I moved to a different state while I was still paying off the original $10K, and immediately received a very threatening notice that I was delinquent on my payments, even though I was not. I called the office in a panic, and the guy that answered said ''Oh yeah, we always send those notices out. Just ignore it.'' This made me realize that the IRS just works on peoples fears, and you cant play into it.

If her brother really never did 1099 her, then it should be easy to prove- in fact, make them produce proof that he did! And definitely don't stress out to much over it -Don't fear the tax man!

Desperately seeking CPA!

Please, we need help! We have had absolutely terrible luck with our taxes lately. We had an expensive SF firm, they messed up our taxes, didn't communicate, and lost stuff. We went with a small, inexpensive N. Bay co-op, they messed up our taxes, didn't communicate, and lost stuff! My husband is a sole proprietor attorney and we have a rental property in Berkeley, so our situation is not too complex but takes a bit more attention than some. We need someone who can help us get back on track and can resolve some loose ends with the IRS. Nothing major, just a payment plan for last years quarterlies as our last person didn't tell us what to pay them as we went. We definitely need someone who isn't afraid of dealing with the IRS, but at the same time will be conservative in their dealings and not raise any red flags. Most of all, we need someone who is an excellent communicator and can help us plan ahead, pay quarterly, and stay on track. We are now in the Santa Rosa area but will travel for the right person. Desperately seeking CPA!

You can look for an enrolled agent in Santa Rosa by visiting the California Society of Enrolled Agents website at www.csea.org and click on the ''Find an EA'' link. Best of luck to you. Lisa W

Mike helped me enormously with my father's trust and estate. He also helped my dad's widow with her taxes which got a little complicated, plus she was in the early stages of Alzheimers and all that implies. He was incredibly kind and patient in dealing with her.

Even though he is in Walnut Creek, you might only have to meet with him once. I of course went in more often while handling my dad's issues, but for my family's taxes we do it by mail mostly.

As far as dealing with the IRS goes: there we some confusing issues with some of my dad's investements and holdings. I asked Mike during a meeting if he wanted to investigate and get back to me. He said, ''Let's just call the IRS now.'' He got someone in the right dept. on the phone immediately and got the questions resolved right there. I was amazed. It was like he had some secret hotline.

So, in answer to that part of your question: has no problem dealing with IRS and does so quicky and easily. His firm info: Schoenholz & Associates 1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 280 Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Tel. 925-939-3200 Mary

Accountant for small business

My husband and I are looking for an accountant to work on our taxes. We both have our own small businesses and own income property. Any recommendations? thanks

I'm looking for a good accountant (at this late date!) in the East Bay, preferably one who has experience, is flexible, and reasonable. We have other issues to discuss, including one of us trying to start a business, prior IRS challenges, and childcare/school write-offs. Any recommendations, please let me know. Thank you so much.

We are looking for an accountant to help us with our 2008 personal income taxes. We will be employing a nanny in 2009, so we would also like an accountant who can help us pay employment taxes. If you have a good accountant / tax preparer / CPA who has experience with nannies, please let us know about him or her. Thanks! tax man cometh

My accountant of thirty years retired. I am looking for a progressive, sensible accountant in Berkeley.

Help! We're looking for someone in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area who can prepare our 2007 tax returns. Our paperwork should be relatively straight forward; we just need someone we can trust and who may be able to provide tax advice. All the previous postings from BPN are outdated or the contacts are not accpeting new clients. Better late than never

We are looking for someone/firm that deals with smaller portfolios, simple plans for the future (savings, investment, education, retirement, daily budget, etc), just on our level...modest!! Someone in the east bay is preferred! Also, we're doing this from abroad so please...someone/firm that is truly good, trust worthy, and NOT too expensive!!

I'm looking for current recommendations for CPAs in Berkeley. I've seen the reviews on BPN and would like to get a few more. Nothing complicated, just a tax return, some deductions and the occasional question. Thanks! Jill

I am seeking the answer to a complicated question regarding Mortgage payments and tax claims. I am not sure of who exactly (what profession) would have the best, legally thorough answers. The question: If I am not on the title of the house or a co-signer on the loan, but will be paying the full mortgage payments, property taxes, and contributing to the account set-up for house maintenance, (essentially as a renter) how can I (or can I?) claim this legally for a tax deduction?

My mother is looking for a CPA to help her with taxes. Her situation is not all that complicated, but involves a number of weird twists - income from a dislaimer trust, sale of a house, moving to another state mid-year, sale of stocks many many years after acquisition, etc. etc. I'd like to find her someone in the Albany/El Cerrito or Berkeley area. Any recommendations? Thanks!

We had a terrific tax accountant who is retiring. We are looking for recommendations for a tax accountant who can help us with our personal taxes and my business taxes, which is a sole proprietorship. Lisa

We are looking for an accountant to help us with our taxes. Someone who will be sharpeyed and diligent and could perhaps advise on on strategies. Wendy

hi. i'm looking for a good, easy to work with and reasonably priced tax accountant in the Lamorinda area for tax preparation. if you know of someone who has experience with deductions related to more alternative medical treatments that would be even better. thanks! Patsy

My husband and I are looking for a good and not too expensive accountant in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area to help us figure out our taxes this year. irina

We're looking for a CPA, mainly for tax-filing purposes, who can handle a change of state mid-year, child support, and a recently self-employed spouse who wants to start off on the right foot, tax-wise. Ideally, this person would be a certified financial planner who can answer questions for us but will not try to sell us anything. We've read the archived recommendations but want to know if there are any new ones. Thanks! shari

Hello, We are in need of an accountant who can deal with New York taxes. Anyone lurking on the list, or do you know of anyone? This is for filing for, um, a missing return. Thanks,

Accountants for Small Business & Self-Employed

Tax Accountant for self-employed + K-1 income

My partner and I are looking for a new accountant/tax preparer. Our needs run the gamut. We are not married, but we co-own a home and have two kids together, so we would like to find one accountant to take care of both our taxes. I am self- employed and work in arts/media, so I need someone who is familiar with the ins and outs of filing taxes in CA as a single-member LLC. My partner has employee income (W-2) but also has significant income from real estate investments (K-1's). And we both have a boatload of questions about what tax liability (if any) we may have for two irrevocable trusts my father in-law recently set up with our kids as beneficiaries. Sheesh. We live in Oakland and would prefer to find someone nearby, but we are willing to cross the bridge or the tunnel for the right person. If you have someone to recommend, can you please provide details on what your experiences with your accountant have been and what, exactly, you like about him/her? Many thanks! Rockridge Mama

Accountant knowledgable about small businesses

I find myself needing someone with very specific knowledge to move forward on my best footing as a small and unique business, soon to become an LLC. If you know of a tax attorney who might sit with me for a one-hour and give very specific advice running the gamut from structuring an LLC umbrella covering more than one DBA or brand (and .com, and trademark), ecommerce issues (retailing), and how to handle the sticky business of not having an office address but not wanting my home address appearing on paperwork like a trademark or LLC filing - and whether or not I have to file for a local business license even though I don't do any business locally... whew, yes, I need help from someone in the know! Please let me know if you have a good referral for me! Anon

Need savvy accountant/financial adviser for my small business

I'm looking for a sharp savvy creative aggressive but honest accountant/financial adviser for my small business and for me personally. I've reviewed all the postings but would like some more current recommendations, specifically for someone who can handle both the personal and business side of things in a coordinated way. I've been using an accountant whose advice I really respect, but his responsiveness has become utterly unreliable (it frequently takes over a month with lots of prodding to get a response to an email query or phone call.) I clearly need someone who is more accessible. In particular I'm looking for a person of integrity who knows this stuff inside and out, who can help bring a big picture perspective to my business and personal finances, who can offer sound financial advice, who is aggressive in preparing taxes, who is trustworthy and responsive, and who can relate to people like me for whom taxes and finances don't come naturally. Looking For the Full Package

Accountant for my retail business

I'm looking for a new accountant for my retail business (small corporation) in Berkeley. Ideally I'd like someone who is in the East Bay and is very experienced with taxes. I'd also prefer someone who can offer advice in the area of financial planning/investments and someone who is familiar with Quickbooks. I also want the person to be someone I can call throughout the year with questions if they come up - so someone personable. My current accountant who I've been working with for the past 9 years is very unorganized and always waiting until the very last minute to complete my taxes - I've also caught too many mistakes on my payroll taxes, so I'm ready to find a new one. anon

Accountant who specializes in restaurants/small business

Hi Everyone. Hoping I can get a recommendation for an accountant that specializes in restaurants/small business. I just opened a small cafe and need help with the books for taxes, etc. Any names or leads would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any advice. need help with taxes

Accountant for self-employed attorney

I am an attorney who just started working on my own and I need to find someone to talk to about the tax implications of my working situation. A good tax attorney who has worked with self-employed attorneys before would be great. Any recommendations are welcome! Melanie Melanie

I'd really appreciate any recommendations for a CPA/tax preparer who is knowledgable about self-employment issues and small businesses, as well as real estate investment (we have several rentals and will be doing our first 1031 exchange soon). Thanks in advance! newbie

My family needs a new accountant in the Walnut Creek area, both for our small school business and for personal taxes. There is one local recommendation in the archives from 2003, but I would also like to hear from anyone with a more recent and perhaps, but not necessarily, school specific accountant to recommend in the Walnut Creek area.

Lippman & Associates CPAs, Inc.
201 North Civic Dr., Suite 180
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
924-256-0800

Looking for an honest but ''aggressive'' CPA to do tax preperations for our small business (and also individual) returns. Ideally located in Albany, Berkeley or El Cerrito. Thanks! Francesca

Jon Kanter Associates 
p:  925-945-6989
e:  JonKanter at aol.com

We're looking for a CPA, mainly for tax filing purposes, for our personal and small business (corporation) income tax returns. Can anyone give a recommendation (or otherwise) for either Jeff Brethauer or Peter Brethauer, whose offices are in Walnut Creek? We're not familiar with either person but their names have been mentioned to us. Thanks. CC

I can strongly recommend our accountant, Tess Hoover, who is located off of Lakeshore in Oakland. She's very nice and very knowledgeable and also gives price breaks to lower income customers. Her phone number is 444-0061. Toby (7/00)

Hi all, I checked the listings for accountants and financial services and didn't see this particular issue addressed. My wife is on the verge of starting to work for herself, possibly out of our home, and we'd like to find an accountant who can advise us now in the event that there is anything we need to do to make things better at tax time next year, and who could also do our taxes for us. Ideally, we'd like to find someone experienced with home- based businesses. Thanks! Michael

Accountants for Financial Planning

We need good, sympathetic, financial and tax advice. Our finances are in a snarl since our beloved accountant retired--he used to come to the house to do our taxes!--and we are hoping to find someone who has a secure grasp on legal/tax aspects as well. In short, a therapeutic accountant/financial advisor! Does such a person exist? Do you know him or her? If so, please share! Thanks. -- Financially Incompetent

We're looking for a tax accountant who could review our last few years of individual tax forms (nothing too complicated) to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep our taxes low, and also give advice on how we might invest or plan for the future (whether to open a 529 account for our daughter's education, ideas for retirement planning, etc.). Can anyone recommend someone in the east bay who is excellent at either accounting or financial planning, or ideally, both? Ideas about how much someone would charge for these services would also be appreciated. thanks! stephanie

Here is a CPA and a Financial Advisor I can recommend without hesitation: Marvin Tate, CPA, JD 510-271-8512 marvint@mferco.com

Timothy Yee, Cathedral Financial Group 510-638-6331 timothy@cathedralfinancial.com

Forgot to mention another excellent accountant with whom I have experience. Herb is an Enrolled Agent, not a CPA, but has *many* years experience and, like Marvin Tate, has also saved people (including me) bundles o' cash:

Herb Yarmo 510-849-0360 hyarmo@herb-yarmo.com

P.S. Need I add that - unless your situation is an emergency - it's best to contact tax people after 4/15? jessica

Re: Financial planner for middle class family

I've had my accountant, Jim Jourdonnais, for 15 years and can't say enough good things about him. He's very warm and easygoing, extremely competent, and a pleasure to work with. He's in the Glem Park section of San Francisco, so it's a bit of a drive, but worth it. You can email me with specific questions if you like. Jim's number is (415) 337- 8548. Ann

I'm seeking an accountant who can help me prepare a financial plan as well as help me with my taxes. I'd prefer someone who is creative about his/her work - not the straight and narrow thinker. Thanks! LH

Accountants for Non-Profit

I am in the process of starting a non-profit and need some legal and accounting assistance. I have checked the archives and there aren't any recommendations for lawyers with non- profit experience. Of the accountants recommended, two that I called said that they don't do non-profit work. On the legal side I need someone to look over the bylaws and on the accounting side, I would like some help with the 501(c)(3) paperwork. Obviously, I am looking for someone who would also have reasonable rates for a non-profit! Thanks Amy

Hi, I'm looking for a local CPA to take charge of all the appropriate tax filings for an incorporated non-profit 501(c)3 elementary/preschool. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! thank you. ios

Accountants for Domestic Partners

Can anyone recommend an accountant/tax preparer in Berkeley/Albany area. I checked the post and they are a few years old. We need someone who is familiar with filing for a married lesbain couple with children. Thanks Diana

My partner and I are looking for an accountant who specializes in or understands the tax issues facing gay couples and families. We had our first child and bought our first home this year and need advice on our taxes! Thanks. anon

I would recommend Jan Zobel, EA for dealing with gay/lesbian families. In fact, she is giving a free lecture on Fri Feb 11 at Boedecia's Books in Kensington. She will be talking about her book, Minding Her own Business: The Self-Employed Woman's Guide to Taxes and Recordkeeping, and talk about tax law changes for 2000. I find her quite knowledgeable and to the point in dealing with her speciality, taxes.

Accountants for Real Estate Issues

Seeking knowledgeable CPA for landlords

My wife and I own a triplex, live in one unit while renting the other two. We're looking for a CPA who can help us with the proper deductions, improvements, depreciation, and all those other little things related to rental properties. Doesn't have to be a specialist necessarily - if you have an all-around kick-ass accountant that you think can help us then we're open to those recommendations too. Thanks in advance. Brian

Seeking CPA Familiar with Real Estate Issues

We are seeking recommendations for a tax accountant who specializes in real estate taxes (capital gains), and who can help us file our 2012 taxes after selling some rental property and buying residential property this year. We are a same sex couple legally married in California and required to file separately (with community property) at the federal level. We prefer someone located in Berkeley, Albany or El Cerrito but we would go to Oakland for the right person. (The archives are somewhat outdated and certainly don't address the more recent same-sex couple issues.) In need of tax help

Accountant familiar with tax issues renting a duplex

Any recommendations for an accountant in the East Bay who is familiar with the tax issues of owning and renting a duplex or triplex?

Other Recommendations

Fulbright Fellowship and taxes

I'll be a Fulbright scholar in the UK this next academic year and am hoping to consult with a CPA or other tax preparer about how best to document expenditures for tax purposes. Can you recommend someone or do you have any advice yourself? Thanks! Melinda

Home grown accountant

I am looking for a home grown accountant, which means a person who works out of their home or a small office (not a large accounting firm) and is someone who is personable and easy to talk to. Thanks. T.

I can highly recommend my CPA. His name is Tony Carion and he has proven to be invaluable, saved me countless hours of frustration AND managed to recoup tax savings for my business and personal taxes. He listens, understands the pressures of parents living in the Bay Area (because he is one) and can also assist you in financial planning. His number is 415-362-4999. Feel free to contact me via e-mail with any questions. sioux

I recommend my excellent and reasonably-priced CPA, Connie Vandament for tax return preparation and tax planning advice. She is meticulous and explains everything you want to know. (415) 461-4466 700 Larkspur Landing Circle #140. Well worth the drive to Marin for this yearly task. Suzanne

We use Ann Hubrig at EH Associates on Solano, just below San Pablo, and think she's great. Lauren

I am really happy with my accountant: Ron Yee, 510-843-6511 in Berkeley. He is easy to talk with, flexible about when to get together and very creative about deductions. Besides preparing taxes, he has given great financial advice about buying our home, investing in stocks, etc. He is very knowledgeable about the tax code and has done excellent work for my consulting business and a friend's home writing business as well as handling our personal taxes. Good luck. Kirsten

Here is my recommendation for a TERRIFIC and VERY REASONABLE accountant in Berkeley who specializes in and knows a great deal about tax issues common to academics. His name is is Ron Fujie and he has an office in downtown Berkeley. He is best reached by e-mail: ronfujie AT earthlink DOT net Kiren