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Best Accountants in Santa Cruz, CA

Our Recommended Top 17

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

30Reviewed

24Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Santa Cruz, 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 is a full-service accounting firm that caters to clients in Santa Cruz and nearby areas. Its staff handles a variety of tasks, including bookkeeping, accounts receivable and payable management, payroll processing, and financial statement auditing. The company provides solutions for private equity funds and entities engaged in the real estate business and addresses individual and business tax concerns. Managing owner George Dimov has over 15 years of accounting and consulting experience across various verticals.

  • Individual Tax
  • Audits
  • Consulting
  • Business Taxes
  • Accounting

Santa Cruz, CA

Why choose this provider?

NSKT Global deals with the accounting needs of clients in Santa Cruz. Its certified public accountants help with financial statement preparation, bookkeeping, tax planning, and compliance. For clients in need of further financial investigations, the firm has forensic accountants on staff. It extends its services to other business needs, such as IT audits, data analytics, and SOP design and implementation. The company has been around for over 10 years. It was founded by Nikhil Mahajan, who holds a certification from the IRS as a tax preparer.

Santa Cruz, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Gnesist helps business owners in Santa Cruz stay on track with their finances through its accounting services. It performs several bookkeeping tasks, including expense tracking, cash management, credit card reconciliation, inventory management, and profit margin analysis. It also provides payroll processing services to help ensure that employee wages are accurate and the business's tax obligations are fulfilled. Additionally, the company offers business formation and web development solutions. Gnesist's accountants have more than 15 years of industry experience.

  • Accounting Services
  • Bookkeeping Services
  • Business Tax Services
  • Tax Planning
1-800Accountant logo

1-800AccountantExpertise.com

Santa Cruz, CA
Free Business Tax Consultation

Expertise.com Rating

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.

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

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

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.

101 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Expertise.com Rating

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.

4630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (9)
Google
4.7 (6)

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.

50 West San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (63)

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.

4630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

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.

180 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (1)

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.

4401 Capitola Road, Capitola, CA 95010

Expertise.com Rating

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.

655 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (19)
Facebook
5.0 (2)
Google
5.0 (1)

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.

4340 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (11)
Google
5.0 (3)

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.

325 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (10)
Google
5.0 (1)

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.

824 Bay Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

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.

5401 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (6)

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.

740 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

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.

Compare our Top Accountants

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Dimov Tax Specialists
Santa Cruz, CACall for quote
NSKT Global
Santa Cruz, CA
Gnesist
Santa Cruz, CAFree Consultation
1-800Accountant
Santa Cruz, CAFree Business Tax Consultation
Francine Tyler, CPA
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Freed & Company, CPA
101 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Patricia A. Beckwith
4630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073
Armanino - San Jose
50 West San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Santa Cruz Tax Debt Relief
4630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073
Santa Cruz Bookkeeping
180 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Maura Matera, CPA
4401 Capitola Road, Capitola, CA 95010
Coast Financial Services, Inc. - Santa Cruz
655 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Timothy Imbrie CPA MBA
4340 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Fernanda Aguiar, CPA, EA, MBA - Santa Cruz
325 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Karen A. Phelps CPA
824 Bay Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Small Business Consulting Inc
5401 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
PP & Co, Petrinovich Pugh & Co LLP - Santa Cruz
740 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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.

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