Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Accountants in Costa Mesa

Our Recommended Top 3

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Costa Mesa Accountants on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

25

Reviewed

16

Curated

3

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
4590 Macarthur Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Why choose this provider?

Mr. Smart Tax is a full-service tax, accounting, and financial advisory firm, offering a wide range of services for business owners, executives and independent professionals. Mr. Smart Tax was founded and headquartered in Newport Beach, California, but has since established many offices throughout the State of California. The owner, Michael R. Arrache, has earned the designation of Certified Public Accountant and Enrolled Agent and has over 15 years of experience as a tax and accounting specialist. Mr. Smart Tax offers their clients many services, including planning, investing, accreditation, compliance, audit resolution and independent CFO services. The firm is also a member of the AICPA and CALCPA

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (6)
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6101 Ball Road, Cypress, CA 90630

Why choose this provider?

A&R Income Tax is located in Cypress, California and provides income tax and accounting services for their clients throughout the local and Orange County area, along with tax and accounting services. A&R Income Tax can provide their customers with IRS audit services and defense, OIC, debt negotiation and installment agreement, payroll and bookkeeping services, tax resolutions, tax amendments, tax consultation, IRS wage garnishment, and much more. A&R Income Tax has helped a broad range of clients in different industries, including gas stations, grocery stores, medical and dental practices, retailers, estates, manufacturers, restaurants, non-profit organizations commercial organizations, and much more.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (8)

Website
2900 South Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Why choose this provider?

John J. Pulles is a full-service Certified Public Accounting firm that has offices in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, California and has been providing their services to individuals and businesses throughout Southern California since 1983. John J. Pulles, the owner, has over twenty years of experience working with tax and law firms. Along with holding a CPA license, John is also a licensed California Real Estate Broker and specializes in Real Estate Accounting and Taxation. John J. Pulles offers their clients tax planning and preparation, tax settlement, financial services, sales and use tax, payroll services, employee benefits planning, and more.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (12)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    Four main types of accountants are available to serve the accounting needs of individuals, large organizations, small businesses, and government agencies. These types of accounting include corporate, forensic, government, and public.

    • Corporate accountants maintain and file financial information for corporations. The focus is on keeping the corporation in legal compliance with tax laws and financial reporting requirements.
    • Forensic accountants gather and recreate financial data that isn’t readily available. These accountants might do that as part of a criminal investigation or if key financial information has been lost and needs to be recovered for legal reasons.
    • Government accountants work for government agencies, such as the IRS or a state tax department. They might also be found working in government offices in positions such as city treasurer or county auditor.
    • Public accountants are the accountants most likely to work with individuals or smaller businesses. These accountants manage financial statements, file tax returns, and record financial transactions. Preparing and filing tax returns are tasks these accountants might do for individuals. For companies, these accountants might handle payroll or bookkeeping besides preparing tax information for reporting purposes.

  • What does an accountant do?

    Accountants maintain financial records and interpret financial information. An accountant at one firm might maintain financial ledgers, while another might take on payroll management duties. Accountants can also specialize in specific areas, such as tax codes.

  • What is the difference between an accountant and a CPA?

    Accountants and CPAs handle many of the same accounting tasks. However, a CPA is an accountant who has passed a state exam to become a certified public accountant. A CPA is typically more trusted in an advisory position when in a business setting.

  • Does everyone need an accountant?

    Most individuals don’t need to hire an accountant, except for when tax season arrives. A small business owner is more likely to need an accountant than an individual because business owners have more complex record-keeping requirements.

  • What does a forensic accountant do?

    Forensic accountants use generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to investigate and solve financial mysteries that are typically related to uncovering or resolving suspected criminal activity, such as embezzling. These accountants may work for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.

  • What does a payroll accountant do?

    Processing payroll and employee benefits are key roles of payroll accountants. Some other duties performed by payroll accountants include using software and handling financial statements. These professionals might also analyze financial ledgers, prepare and present reports to management, and advise regarding investment opportunities.

  • Do I need an accounting major to become an accountant?

    You can work as an accountant without majoring in it. However, earning a degree and becoming a CPA offers more earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certified public accountants who have received at least a bachelor’s degree earn a median annual wage of $73,560.