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Best Accountants in Santa Cruz

2023

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Website
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Audit Defense
  • File an EIN
  • Quarterly Estimated Taxes
  • Tax Advisory
  • Small Business Taxes
  • Bookkeeping
  • Income Taxes
  • Payroll
  • Start a Business

Why choose this provider?

1-800Accountant offers financial services to businesses looking to improve work efficiency in and around Santa Cruz. The firm's CPAs provide bookkeeping, payroll processing, IRS audit defense, and financial and tax planning and consultation services. It also handles entity formation and tax preparation services for small businesses in various industries, such as real estate, trucking, and e-commerce. 1-800Accountant has been offering its services across 50 states since its foundation in 1999 and has worked with over 100,000 clients.

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

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

Price: Schedule a free consultation today!

848-BookPro
Santa Cruz, CA

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Accountant in Santa Cruz? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

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

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Why choose this provider?

Francine Tyler, CPA is a premier, neighborly accounting office which skillfully offers a multitude of financial services to the residents of Santa Cruz and the surrounding regions. Francine has over 5 years of educated, comprehensive experience in a wide range of tax, bookkeeping, accounting and payroll services to individuals and small to mid-sized businesses. Francine Tyler, CPA greatly values the benefit of remaining modern and knowledgeable in the most advanced training possible, she places a strong focus on creating and keeping long-term relationships with her clients, she places a special emphasis on offering assistance with female-owned businesses, and she is remarkably well reviewed for her friendliness, professionalism, and a full range of options.

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
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
4401 Capitola Road, Capitola, CA 95010

Why choose this provider?

Giving quality accounting services with a special focus on personalized advice, Maura Matera, CPA is a friendly, highly skilled accounting firm in the Capitola area. Their organization debuted over 20 years ago, and their team prides themselves on maintaining a knowledgeable and expert approach, continually participating in a multitude of continuing professional education courses and accounting methods. Maura Matera, CPA sets their business apart from the local competition by providing rapid and reliable consultations, by maintaining notably competitive prices, and by placing a strong emphasis on staying loyal to their neighbors to help create a prosperous community. Their firm remains notably accommodating to busier schedules and even offers weekend appointments during tax season.

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 (1)

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
101 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Why choose this provider?

Freed & Company, CPA, is a full-service accounting enterprise serving business owners, executives, and independent professionals in Santa Cruz. With over 25 years of industry experience, its staff offers small business consulting, accounting, and tax solutions. From on-site bookkeeping to remote payroll services, the firm's Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor is ready to help. In addition, it also focuses on international and multi-state taxation. Freed & Company works with diverse sectors, such as construction, agriculture, and real estate.

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

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
325 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Why choose this provider?

The firm of Fernanda Aguiar, CPA, EA, MBA, handles the personal and business tax concerns, as well as the fiduciary taxation requirements, of Santa Cruz residents. Its team of Certified Public Accountants can also assist in tax preparation and planning, corporate support and consulting, and payroll. Additionally, Aguiar and her staff employ a proprietary system that allows their clients to accomplish their tax filings and simplifies the tax planning process.

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 (10)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
824 Bay Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010

Why choose this provider?

With a full spectrum of comprehensive financial skills, Karen A. Phelps, CPA gives quality assistance with a multitude of accounting options for residents of Capitola and beyond. Their successful financial group is led by Karen A. Phelps and Nancy K. Greer, who bring over 42 years of combined experience to their successful organization. Their company consistently promises to remain readily available to their customers for an honest consultation, and they place a strong emphasis on building an ongoing relationship of truth, personable interactions, and confidence. Karen A. Phelps, CPA is outstandingly and continually reviewed across a wide variety of online resources including Yelp, Google Plus, 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
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4340 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Why choose this provider?

Providing superior accounting, tax, and business consulting assistance to the residents of the Santa Cruz area and beyond, Timothy Imbrie, CPA is a seasoned and reliable business choice in their region. Their corporation has over 20 years of experience in their field and has the proper knowledge and expertise necessary to adeptly handle a multitude of accounting and tax issues. They place a strong emphasis on creating an individualized, continual partnership of open communication, effectively tailoring all services to specific needs. Timothy Imbrie, CPA goes to great lengths to keep their prices affordable and dependable, and they keep their staff readily available to provide free and thorough consultations to any interested customers.

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 (11)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

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
5401 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Why choose this provider?

Skillfully assisting Scotts Valley and beyond, Small Business Consulting, Inc. is committed to providing excellent accounting services including bookkeeping, payroll, tax assistance, and much more. Their corporation goes above and beyond to maintain long-lasting and trustworthy relationships with their clients, setting their business apart as a personal and friendly option. Small Business Consulting, Inc. strives to remain current with the most modern technology and maintains extensive financial options including tax management services, estate and trust tax preparation, bookkeeping, Quick Books accounting help and assistance, payroll services, mergers, and much more. Their business website has a wide variety of helpful tools, calculators, and forms, greatly helping clients to better understand financial processes and concepts.

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.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (6)

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
180 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Why choose this provider?

Santa Cruz Bookkeeping has been assisting clients in the area in matters of accounting for the last 25 years. The locally-owned and operated company caters to the needs of local businesses with offerings such as bookkeeping and payroll services. As certified ProAdvisors, the associates in the firm also provide office training and setup of QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop along with teaching the programs' tricks and tips. Santa Cruz Bookkeeping extends its services to the Capitola, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Redwood Estates, and Los Gatos areas.

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 (1)

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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
50 West San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Why choose this provider?

Armanino is an award-winning accounting and consulting firm that has served more than 7000 clients in over 100 countries. Their key areas of service include personal accounting, assurance and audit, business management, and risk and advisory. They are able to work with clients from different industries such as real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing. As an organization, Armanino has been recognized as the best place to work by Accounting Today. They are also a Green Certified business.

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.
4.9
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (63)

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
4630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073

Why choose this provider?

Adeptly assisting Santa Cruz and beyond, Patricia A. Beckwith, CPA is committed to providing excellent accounting services including bookkeeping, payroll, tax assistance, and much more. Her corporation goes above and beyond to maintain long-lasting and trustworthy relationships with all clients, setting her business apart as a personal and friendly option. Patricia strives to remain current with the most modern technology and maintains extensive financial options including tax management services, estate and trust tax preparation, bookkeeping, Quick Books accounting help and assistance, payroll services, mergers, and much more. Her organization's website has a wide variety of helpful tools, calculators, price options, and forms, greatly helping clients to better understand financial processes and concepts.

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.
4.9
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (9)
Google
4.7 / 5 (6)

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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073

Why choose this provider?

Santa Cruz Tax Debt Relief is a tax resolution specialist that handles unfiled back tax returns. Its team of tax professionals also helps clients address payroll tax liabilities, and they represent clients in IRS audits and offer assistance in removing tax liens or IRS levies. Santa Cruz Tax Debt Relief is headed by Patricia Beckwith, a CPA and American Society of Tax Problem Solvers member with over two decades of industry experience. She produces monthly articles for Aptos Life.

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
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
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.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
740 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Why choose this provider?

PP & Co, Petrinovich Pugh & Co LLP is a team of accountants who focus on finances to allow their clients more freedom to pursue their goals. Ever since being founded in 1951, they have been building enduring relationships with clients, even reaching third and fourth-generation clients who consult them for accounting, tax auditing, tax preparation, wealth management, litigation support, and financial planning. They have since grown into a large firm with over 90 staff.

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
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

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
655 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Why choose this provider?

Coast Financial Services, Inc., is an accounting agency near Santa Cruz. The firm has dedicated itself to the growth and profitability of the locally owned businesses in the area. It brings its expertise to clients in industries such as retail, internet sales, and construction, performing vital accounting functions such as accounts payable/receivable, payroll, financial statement preparation, financial analysis, and general ledger accounting. Coast Financial Services also performs tax preparation and planning and business consulting. Coast Financial Services was founded in Santa Cruz which explains its close affinity to the community.

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.
4.1
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (19)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

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
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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.