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2024

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Best Accountants in San Rafael, CA

Our Recommended Top 11

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

23Reviewed

18Curated

11Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

San Rafael, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.9 (548)
Google
4.9 (337)
Facebook
4.9 (29)

Why choose this provider?

Dimov Tax Specialists caters to San Rafael clients. The firm works with small and large businesses dealing with accounting issues. It has experience helping private equity funds compile financial statements, publish partners' capital statements, and compute distributions. It also provides consulting services for businesses looking to sell or buy companies. It has worked on deals involving various industries, including biotech, manufacturing, retail, and agribusiness. One of the firm's senior accountants, Baomei Ma, is adept at different accounting software platforms, like Xero.

  • Audits
  • Accounting
  • Business Taxes
  • Individual Tax
  • Consulting
1-800 Accountant logo

1-800 AccountantExpertise.com

San Rafael, CA
Free Business Tax Consultation

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (2836)

Why choose this provider?

1-800Accountant handles bookkeeping and tax preparation for enterprises in San Rafael. It assists clients in tracking the revenue and expenses of their operations. To understand their cash flow and profitability, its team records financial data and compiles them to produce reports. Its accountants also help new entrepreneurs set up their business to minimize their tax burden. 1-800Accountant has built a network of partners, including UENI and Mylo, to provide comprehensive small business growth solutions, from e-commerce to HR.

  • Catch Up Bookkeeping
  • Bookkeeping
  • Accounting
  • Tax Advisory
  • Small Business Taxes
  • Business Tax Preparation
  • Bookkeeping & Payroll

6 Knoll Lane, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Abacus Tax Services is a firm with enrolled agent status located in Mill Valley and serving the surrounding area of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay region. The company specializes in various aspects of small business accounting, helping clients with bank reconciliation, bookkeeping, and financial statement preparation. It also assists with QuickBooks setup and trains clients on how to get the most from the program. Many small business clients choose to outsource their payroll services through Abacus Tax Services as well to avoid penalties associated with payroll tax calculation errors and missed filing deadlines and spend more time focusing on their operations.

1299 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (29)
Yelp
4.5 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Bridgewater offers CPA solutions for businesses and individuals in San Rafael and the surrounding region, which includes all of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area. The senior management team consists of Sheri Neuman, CPA, BRE, and Ryan Neuman, a financial planner, and business consultant. Sheri’s focus is on small- and medium-sized businesses, handling their accounting, tax, consulting and advisory service needs. She has worked with a variety of industries including real estate, manufacturing, medical services, restaurants, and wineries. Ryan helps companies grow through arranging of financing, planning for internal growth, and business acquisitions. He is a graduate of Sonoma State University.

10 G Street, San Rafael, CA 94901

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Notti & Company, LLP, has been providing accounting services to San Rafael since 1977. Its team of accountants specializes in financial and tax services, such as tax compliance, tax planning, and audits. It also represents clients before authorities to help them with their tax needs. The accounting firm's other services include strategic business planning, entity formation, business succession planning, and outside CFO services. One of its partners, Nick Notti, has been practicing accounting for over 20 years.

1680 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Marin Tax CPA is the firm of certified public accountant Melanie J. Shaw. She has served clients in Mill Valley, Novato, and the surrounding communities of Marin County for several years. Clients have credited her with being able to simplify complex tax matters and demonstrate a positive, upbeat attitude that helps to relieve stress when dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. Shaw earned her CPA in 2004, and she has more than a decade of experience in practice. She is a graduate of the Santa Clara University Accounting Certification Program, University of California-Berkeley, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to her current practice, she has worked for firms in Hawaii and Japan.

1299 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Richard Chinlund, CPA is a tax service and bookkeeping professional working out of San Rafael and serving clients in the surrounding communities of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a member in good standing with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and his firm has attained accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, he is a certified ProAdvisor for Intuit’s QuickBooks program. Chinlund has more than four decades of experience, having passed the CPA exam in 1973. Areas of specialization include but are not limited to audit representation, innocent spouse relief, bankruptcy, and Offer in Compromise.

133 East Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

IWB & Co. Certified Public Accountancy is a firm that specializes in tax services for individuals and businesses as well as bookkeeping. The company operates out of Mill Valley and serves clients in the surrounding communities of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area. Clients have utilized it for audit representation as well as assistance with IRS liens and levies, wage garnishments, and seizures. It also supports clients in bankruptcy filings. Owner Irving William Bernstein, CPA graduated from the Bernard M. Baruch School of Business Administration of the City University of New York in 1965. He has more than five decades of professional training and experience.

7 Laurelwood Court, San Rafael, CA 94901

Why choose this provider?

Lawrence G. Jacobsen, CPA has practiced in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1979. He has more than three decades of experience serving the accounting, bookkeeping, and tax needs of individuals and businesses. He is a graduate of the University of California-Berkeley and earned his MBA in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Areas of practice include but are not limited to individual tax minimization, multi-state returns, real estate transactions, payroll services, and tax credit utilization. He also can assist with stock option compensation and depreciation, and he represents clients in the event of an IRS audit. Individuals often utilize him for estate and gift planning.

1527 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Smith & Company is a firm of certified public accountants located in the San Francisco Bay Area that has several years of experience serving the needs of businesses and individuals throughout San Rafael. On the business side, it assists with tax planning, compliance, and preparation, with litigation support and representation on audit matters with both state and federal authorities. Smith & Company has helped in the buying and selling of businesses as well as with the entity selection process, and it provides monthly, quarterly, and annual bookkeeping. On the personal side, clients have utilized it for tax planning and preparation and divorce/support issues.

P.O. Box 842, Kentfield, CA 94914

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

H. Jakobsen & Co. is the outsourced accounting management firm of Heidi Jakobsen, CPA, who has more than two decades of experience in public and private accounting. Her experience includes a tenure at Deloitte & Touche in the areas of audit and taxation. She has first-hand experience in various aspects of the entertainment industry, including TV/film production and music. She has worked with landscape designers, family-owned businesses, consultants, and real estate professionals as well. Clients have credited Heidi for streamlining their financial practices and allowing better focus on their core missions. The firm offers management reporting, accounting/bookkeeping, business management, and consulting. It also is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

Compare our Top Accountants

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Dimov Tax Specialists
San Rafael, CACall for quote
1-800 Accountant
San Rafael, CAFree Business Tax Consultation
Abacus Tax Services
6 Knoll Lane, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Bridgewater Certified Public Accountants
1299 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Notti & Company, LLP
10 G Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Marin Tax CPA
1680 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920
Richard K. Chinlund, CPA
1299 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Irving William Bernstein & Company Certified Public Accountancy
133 East Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Lawrence G. Jacobsen, CPA
7 Laurelwood Court, San Rafael, CA 94901
Smith and Company - San Rafael
1527 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
H. Jakobsen & Co.
P.O. Box 842, Kentfield, CA 94914

FAQs

  • 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.