This resource provides guidance on working with accountants and bookkeepers for independent consultants, along with a directory of bookkeeping and tax accounting professionals recommended by our members.
If you are aware of a company we haven’t listed, or would like to share with us updated information about one of the firms in our directory, please send us a message on our Contact page.
Contents
You can click any section to go directly there:
- Bookkeeping: DIY or hire someone?
- How do you know if it’s time to get an outside bookkeeper?
- What services does a bookkeeper provide?
- Should you get a tax accountant? (The short answer: Yes!)
- Considerations of legal structure for taxes
- Directory of Recommended Bookkeepers
- Directory of Recommended Tax Accountants
Bookkeeping: DIY or hire someone?
The most basic bookkeeping task involves entering revenues and expenses into a tracking system to serve as an input to tax preparation.
Related duties that are often outsourced to a bookkeeper include:
- Invoicing
- Time tracking
- Expense tracking
- Vendor management
- Payroll and Subcontractor payments
- Profit and loss statements (P&L)
- Cash flow forecasting
Most independent management consultants, as solopreneurs, elect to do their own bookkeeping.
“If you are a sole proprietor or running a business that has light transactional volume, it could be millions of dollars but there’s not that many transactions, and so it’s pretty easy to manage,” Chara McGill, founder and president of The RMG Group, said in Episode 95 of our Unleashed podcast.
If you elect to handle your bookkeeping tasks yourself, QuickBooks and Freshbooks are two of the most common software choices for independent professionals and small businesses. When selecting a software package, McGill said to choose the interface that makes sense to you and you find the most easy to work within.
You should also make sure that your tax accountant can integrate with the bookkeeping software you select.
How do you know if it’s time to get an outside bookkeeper?
McGill suggests that even if DIY bookkeeping software is fine for your needs, you might want to hire someone with knowledge of that system to help you set it up initially and walk you through how everything works.
“A foundational cornerstone of your accounting operations is your chart of accounts, and that is built differently depending on the company, and also the goals of management within the company.”
When her company, RMG, sets up a chart of accounts for clients, they organize the chart into three to five primary buckets such as general and administrative expenses, payroll, sales and marketing, etc.
“By setting up the chart of accounts intentionally at the beginning, you then build in the possibility of creating very usable reporting, which can feed into your KPI, or key performance indicator tracking,” McGill said.
Having a bookkeeping professional help you set up your system initially can also help you avoid making mistakes in the software, such as double reporting of income. This can happen when you have a client invoice for which payment is recorded, and then you deposit that payment, and the deposit is also tracked as income.
“What can happen is that people are receiving the payment against the invoice, which records the income within QuickBooks on a cash basis — and then they also make a deposit as an additional transaction because they don’t know how to connect those two,” she explained.
McGill advised using the “quality of life” guideline when deciding if it’s time to hire an outside bookkeeper.
“When you’re staying up nights or working weekends in order to do your accounting, you’re most likely not replenishing your personal energy sufficiently. So as soon as that happens [think about] what’s your per hour dollar value? I personally don’t think this is a place to attempt to save money because the potential for costly mistakes is great in this area.”
What services does a bookkeeper provide?
For the general independent professional or small business who chooses to hire a bookkeeper on an ongoing basis, these are the general services they provide:
- Maintain the financial books
- Keep track of revenue and expenses to prepare P&L info needed by tax accountant
- Collect W9 forms from subcontractors and issue 1099s
- Manage payroll
- Prepare and send invoices
- Follow up with clients to collect accounts receivable
These services are handled by both individual bookkeepers and firms. While both are equally viable options, there are some considerations for each.
The pros of having an individual handle your books include always working with that same person and establishing a relationship. An independent professional may be more affordable than engaging a bookkeeping firm.
On the con side, one issue that must be addressed is that of business continuity.
What is the backup plan if that individual isn’t available? If something should happen to them, do they have a backup plan in place? Do they have another individual or firm who will step in and take care of business? This is a discussion that should be held during the hiring stage.
Should you get a tax accountant? (The short answer: Yes!)
Bookkeeping and tax accounting have a symbiotic relationship, McGill says. The bookkeeper is the operations part of your financial picture, while the tax accountant handles the tax aspect.
The same individual or firm can play both roles, but in most cases, they are two separate entities who work together to complete your financial picture.
A tax accountant not only prepares your taxes but also can provide counsel on topics such as your legal business structure, tax implications, and tax planning.
Remember that filing your taxes is not simply an annual process. As a self-employed professional, you also need to file quarterly estimated payments, which a tax accountant can handle for you.
Another consideration is that of nexus issues. Suppose a consultant lives in New York but conducts 20 hours of business a month in Illinois. She very likely will need to file and pay state income taxes for the prorated time she did business in Illinois, as well as her New York home state taxes. In this case, the taxes paid in Illinois would be deducted from the New York taxes.
“Keep in mind that we have as many tax laws as we have states. And so what needs to be looked at is all of those components — where the service provider’s company is situated, where the actual service person providing the service is situated, and where the recipient of those services is situated.”
The recipient — or client — can even be in two locations. Perhaps the New York consultant in the above scenario is providing services to her client in Chicago, but that is a division of the client’s company, which is actually headquartered in California.
“Here’s where I believe that both the internal accounting operations or bookkeeper people and also your tax accountant need to be involved in order to research on a state or location basis,” McGill said.
Jonah Gruda, a tax partner at Marcum LLP (formerly of Mazars), also discussed this nexus issue in detail in Episode 56 of Unleashed.
Considerations of legal structure for taxes
The legal structure of your business is something a tax accountant can help you determine or change. There are five main structures:
- Sole proprietor
- Partnership
- C-corporation
- S-corporation
- Limited liability company (LLC)
Each of these legal entities afford different legal protections, administrative burdens, accounting issues, and certainly tax issues. Gruda walked listeners through these issues in Episode 353 of Unleashed, and then
“The C-corp pays taxes as a separate legal entity, whereas the LLC, the S-corp, and the sole proprietor tend to pay taxes at the owner level,” Gruda explained.
Doing business as a sole proprietor is very simple to set up — you simply file a DBA and an EIN number and start operating.
Other structures — Partnerships, C-corporations, S-corporations, and LLCs — require two steps:
1. Establishing an entity by filing the required forms with the state you’ve selected.
2. Creating articles of organization.
While you can find templates online for articles of organization, we highly recommend consulting an attorney to ensure that the articles you use adequately meet your needs. A small error can prove costly later.
You should speak to your tax accountant and attorney to decide in which state to establish your entity. Some people establish their entity in a state other than their home state for a variety of reasons. Delaware is a common choice.
“I would encourage people to really think about this,” Gruda said. “I’ve seen clients in the past say, ‘Oh, I set up an LLC,’ without really thinking about these types of things. There are a lot of unintended consequences from rushing to make these entities a reality.”
When you’re starting your business, you also need to think about how you intend to close the business, Gruda added, because that’s also going to be part of the analysis as well. “It affords a deeper discussion with yourself and certainly with an attorney and an accountant.”
Benefits of tax accountant advice
Gruda outlined a number of tax considerations while running your business, with some suggestions on best practices that can make tax time easier.
“Use a credit card that’s just for the business. Have it in the business name. I think it’s important. Also, it gives another air of legitimacy to it. Have a bank account in the name of the business. Again, legitimacy.”
Financial planning for the future — items such as insurance, IRAs and 401Ks — are also things a tax accountant can advise on.
How do you find a bookkeeper or accountant?
To find the right bookkeeper or accountant, McGill says start by reaching out to your trusted advisors — perhaps your attorney or other business professionals you work with. This is exactly how we compiled the Directory of Accountants and Bookkeepers found below — all of these firms and individuals were recommended by our members.
McGill advises speaking with at least three or four professionals before you make a choice. Some questions and discussions to have include:
- Understand their philosophy and overall approach.
- The nuts and bolts of what they do specifically and who will do it.
- If it’s a larger firm, will you have a dedicated support person?
- If it’s a one-person firm, what is their back-up plan for emergencies?
- What kind of schedule will they work on?
- Does the provider have experience serving independent professionals or boutique firms?
These topics are also discussed in detail in section six of our video course: The Umbrex Guide to Setting Up Your Own Consulting Practice.
Directory of Recommended Bookkeepers
Bench
From bookkeeping to tax filing, Bench is the all-in-one financial toolkit your business can count on. Services include: Monthly Bookkeeping, Tax Advisory & Filing, Catch-up Bookkeeping, Retro Bookkeeping (for businesses behind in their accounting). They offer a free trial period. Listen to Episode 256 of the Unleashed podcast with Oscar Wimshurst of Bench.
Website: bench.co
Email: help@bench.co
Service area: Global
Rates: Essential Plan $249/month, Premium Plan $399/month
Recommended by: Alexei Beltyukov and Luiz Zorzella, who says this about them: “They have been my bookkeeper since 2018. I like their service, online interface and the service is 100% remote. I am happy with them and the cost.”
Bookkeeping eSolutions
A professional, friendly bookkeeping team providing virtual tax, bookkeeping, payroll, and CFO solutions to CPA firms, tax agents, and small/online businesses across time zones.
Website: bookkeepingesolutions.com
Contact: Vinod Gupta
Email: info@bookkeepingesolutions.com
Service area: Global
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Arun Venkatesh
Paystream: My SME
Paystream is an umbrella and accountancy service provider that’s run by qualified accountants and lawyers. Their My SME service provides access to accountancy software, supported by expert advice, at a discounted rate.
Website: paystream.co.uk
Email: newbusiness@paystream.co.uk
Service area: Global
Rates: $26/month for My SME; additional services available at additional cost
Recommended by: Craig Curran, who says, “I have used this firm since setting up my own company and the service has been excellent. They provide software to raise invoices, review my bank account, record income and expenditure, prepare my annual accounts and corporation tax return, and they also issue regular updates regarding changes to tax and accounting requirements and other topics of interest.”
South Africa
EGR Accountants
Professional Accountant.
Contact: Hannetjie Giles
Email: hannetjie@egraccountants.co.za
Service area: South Africa
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Lizette Robbertze
Linington Consulting
Contact: Tanya Linington
Email: tanya@linington-consulting.com
Service area: South Africa
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Lizette Robbertze
Lynx Accounting
Lynx offers accounts, taxation, business advisory, payroll and support services to a wide range of businesses and individuals in South Africa.
Website: lynxaccounting.co.za
Contact: Liezel van Dyk
Email: liezel@lynxaccounting.co.za
Service area: South Africa
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Enslin Davel
Rothsay Accounting
Provides clients with a responsive and high quality business advisory and compliance service that is always tailored to specific accounting needs. Services include accounting and bookkeeping, taxes and auditing, compliance, statutory, and more.
Website: rothsay.com.au
Contact: Alex PetrakisI
Email: info@rothsay.com.au
Service area: New South Wales, Australia
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Bryant Plavsic
France
L-Expert-Comptable.com
Online chartered accountant and business creation services.
Website: L-expert-comptable.com
Email: hello@l-expert-comptable.com
Service area: France
Rates: 3 plan levels from $42-140/month
Recommended by: Cyril Lagrange
Germany
Thomas Langer
With ingenuity, experience and innovative technologies, Thomas Langer supports more than 700 reputable clients in exploiting digital growth potential in all aspects of taxes, finance, and accounting.
Website: stblanger.de
Contact: Thomas Langer
Email: Thomas.Langer@stblanger.de
Service area: Germany
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Yanay Zohar
Switzerland
Delphin Treuhand AG
Offers comprehensive services in the areas of management consulting, tax consulting, auditing, and extensive accounting support.
Website: delphin-treuhand.ch
Email: info@delphin-treuhand.ch
Service area: Switzerland
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Ulrich Riedel
United Kingdom
Financial Partnership
Financial advisers who provide individuals and businesses with practical and relevant solutions to help them to meet their financial objectives. Services include: Protection, Mortgages, Savings and Investments, Pensions, and Auto-Enrollment.
Website: financial-partnership.co.uk
Email: info@financial-partnership.co.uk
Service area: England & Wales
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Shane Heywood
Highfield Advisory
Highfield Advisory is a specialist consultancy business, providing accounting and taxation services combined with strategic advice to support startups and small businesses.
Website: highfieldadvisory.co.uk
Contact: Christopher Clark
Email: hello@highfieldadvisory.co.uk
Service area: England and Wales
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Nicky Shah
The Two Matts LLP
Certified accountants and chartered tax advisors.
Website: two-matts.com
Contact: Matt Ashwood
Email: admin@two-matts.com
Service area: United Kingdom
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Dan Schonfeld. “I’ve worked with Matt for over five years now, both as my accountant and tax advisor (in the U.K.) and as someone I’ve referred dozens of clients to, and so far everyone is happy. Highly recommended.”
Canada
Gain Plus Bookkeepers
Provides the highest industry standard bookkeeping services to small and medium businesses in Toronto and Ontario. They have more than 20 years of experience in the full cycle of bookkeeping. Services include general bookkeeping, payroll (HST, EHT, WSIB), backlog catch-up, QuickBooks optimization and training, forensic bookkeeping, Cloud bookkeeping solutions, and audits.
Website: www.gainplus.ca
Email: Orlando@gainplus.ca
Service area: Ontario
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: David Burnie
United States
A-Team Consulting
Expert virtual accounting and financial advice to businesses of any size, tailored to your specific business needs. Technology, recruiting, and consulting services are also available.
Website: ateamconsulting.com
Contact: Dominick Bencivenga
Email: dbencivenga@ateamconsulting.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Xavier Lederer
Adelman Katz & Mond LLP
Audit, tax, and bookkeeping services for small businesses and personal clients. Offers more robust services in business valuation and forensic accounting for both businesses and individuals to help you get even more from all your hard work.
Website: akmcpa.com
Contact: Alan Adelman
Email: aadelman@akmcpa.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: David Boxenbaum
All Solutions Consulting Inc
Contact: Matthew Cohen, CPA
Email: matt@allsolutionsconsult.com
Service area: Nationwide (remote)
Rates: Dependent on contract and term
BH Bookkeepers
BH Bookkeepers helps their clients achieve the next level of business success by providing accurate financials, acting as valuable partners to help plan for your business, accurately track revenue and expenses, and minimize your bookkeeping time so that you can focus on what you do best. They work with clients on a personal level to ensure accurate bookkeeping methods and a smooth process for transferring information. BH is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor Elite firm.
Website: bhbookkeepers.com
Contact: Nicole Bennett-Hall
Email: nicole@bhbookkeepers.com
Service area: Central Texas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Dan Balcauski
CA Accounting
A leading accounting firm in Southern California, dedicated to providing accounting, tax, and consulting services to both businesses and individuals.
Website: caaccounting.com
Contact: Farshid Khosravi
Email: farshid@caaccounting.com
Service area: Southern California
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Jonathan Wilson
Devereaux, Kuhner & Co.
Full-service accounting and advisory firm with decades of experience in a wide variety of industries. Working with corporations, partnerships, privately held businesses, as well as families, individuals, estates, and trusts.
Website: dkc-llp.com
Contact: Mark Devereaux
Email: MDevereaux@dkc-llp.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Alexei Beltyukov
DXA Group
Trusted accounting firm assisting small businesses and startups. Virtual, scalable, and integrated accounting services. DXA acts as a virtual accounting firm, leveraging knowledge from Fortune 1000 organizations and seasoned professionals from large accounting firms. Their mission is to assist small businesses and startups in excelling in their business ventures by providing the same level of quality service that one would expect from a major consulting firm reserved for enterprise.
Website: dxagroup.com
Email: info@dxagroup.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Keith Downham
Egan Tax and Books Ltd.
Becky Egan is a Certified Public Accountant who specializes in working with small businesses, as well as helping individuals with their taxes and personal finances.
Website: eganltd.com
Contact: Becky Egan
Email: becky@eganltd.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Brad Pickar
Golden Gate Accounting
Serving the San Francisco Bay area since 2004, Golden State is focused on tax and accounting strategy for individuals and small businesses.
Website: goldenstateaccounting.co
Contact: David Haase, Managing Partner
Email: contact@goldenstateaccounting.co
Service area: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Rates: $165 per hour for preparation and $250 for review or a la carte work. Detailed estimate upon request.
Recommended by: Carlos Castelan
Hal Brand, CPA
Creates valuable relationships with clients and provides tax, accounting, and consulting services for individuals and businesses.
Website: halbrandcpa.com
Contact: Hal Brand or Patrick Brand
Email: hal@halbrandcpa.com, patrick@halbrandcpa.com
Service area: California
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Glenton Jelbert and Carl Offhaus, who says the firm is “professional, responsive, thorough, and sound advisors.”
Howe & Romero
Offers an array of tax accounting services from tax preparation (individual, partnership, S Corp, C Corp, trusts) and international tax compliance (U.S. citizens abroad) to bookkeeping and other accounting services.
Website: howeromerocpas.com
Contact: Iain Howe
Email: Iain@howeromerocpas.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Dan Balcauski
John M. Matras CPA Incorporated
Assists clients with tax preparations, tax penalties and delinquent tax returns, as well as bookkeeping and accounting services.
Website: johnmmatrascpa.com
Contact: John Matras
Email: jm@johnmmatrascpa.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Tax returns $225-275, Accounting & bookkeeping $200-595
Recommended by: Waziri Garuba
Kept.pro
QuickBooks certified bookkeeping experts with the oversight of a corporate controller, all based in the U.S. Full bookkeeping and accounting services including catch up, clean up, and recurring. 80% of client’s fees are between $2,000 – $5,000/month.
Website: kept.pro
Contact: James Wheeler
Email: james.wheeler@kept.pro
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact for quote
Recommended by: Jay Jung. “Kept.pro is exclusively on Quickbooks online. They can set up Gusto to integrate with payroll and Bill.com for AP management. They do timely monthly closings etc. I’ve implemented them across half a dozen of my clients and found them to be proficient and reliable.”
Levin, Spinnett & Co.
Provides a wide range of accounting services to businesses and startups.
Website: webcpa.net
Contact: Beverly McLendon
Email: lsc@webcpa.net
Service area: North Carolina
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Wendy Knight
Maner CPA
A full-service public accounting, technology, and business consulting firm that has grown into one of the top firms in the Great Lakes region.
Website: manercpa.com
Email: maner@manercpa.com
Service area: Michigan
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Ashish Minocha
Mason Ltd.
A small firm that offers bookkeeping, accounting, financial, payroll, retirement, and tax planning and preparation services.
Website: masonlimited.com
Contact: Andy Mason
Email: cpa@masonlimited.com
Service area: Minnesota
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Steffen Meyer
Mei CPA
Accredited firm with a wide range of accounting services, including bookkeeping, business entity planning, IRS audit, tax preparation, payroll services, and Quickbooks advising and consulting.
Website: meicpa.com
Email: meicpa@hotmail.com
Service area: New York and surrounding areas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Helen Vavougios
Moss Krusick
Joe Brydon at this firm has considerable experience in the overall accounting; general business consulting; and tax planning & preparation services. His expertise includes providing services for businesses in wholesale and retail trades, real estate, professional services (Doctors, Attorneys, Dentists, Architects, etc.), restaurants, health care and not-for-profit organizations.
Website: mosskrusick.com
Contact: Joseph M. Brydon, CPA
Email: brydon@mosskrusick.com
Service area: Florida
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Astrid Malval-Beharry
Perelson Weiner
Perelson Weiner LLP is a leading advisory and full-service accounting firm where longstanding client relationships and technical expertise come together to positively impact clients’ lives and businesses. Full service accounting and tax strategy.
Website: pwcpa.com
Contact: Ron Weiner
Email: ron@pwcpa.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Ilene Leff
Ruane & Company, LLP
A small firm aimed to give personalized, quality services in accounting, consulting, bookkeeping, taxes, and more.
Website: ruanecpa.com
Contact: Tom Ruane
Email: truane@ruanecpa.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: James Phan
SEO CPA Group Ltd.
Offers a range of services to clients including auditing and attestation services, tax preparation and planning, CFO and consulting services, information technology, third party administrator services, payroll, and bookkeeping.
Website: seocpagroup.com
Contact: Robert Penrose, CPA
Email: rpenrose@seocpagroup.com
Service area: Ohio
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Brad Hollingsworth
Simches & Company LLP
Simches is a boutique tax, accounting and financial planning firm specializing in closely held businesses and high net worth family relationships.
Website: simchesco.com
Contact: Mike Simches
Email: info@simchesco.com
Service area: United States, based in Massachusetts
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Daniel Behr
Simon & Deitz CPA
With over 25 years of experience, several degrees in business and management, Simon & Deitz LLC offers a well-rounded platform of financial services and a personal, customized plan for both accounting and taxation needs.
Website: kendeitzcpa.com
Contact: Ken Deitz
Contact at: kendeitzcpa.com/meet-ken
Service area: New Jersey
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Sam M. Cohen
Spartan Shield Solutions
Strives to help business owners develop a solid foundation and business strategy so they can be successful. Works with businesses to improve operations, productivity, organization, company culture, and employee relations. Full service bookkeeping and accounting.
Website: spartanshield-solutions.com
Contact: Jack Longanacre
Contact at: spartanshield-solutions.com/contact-us
Service area: Virginia
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Stephen Hrutka
Sudhir Pai
Sudhir Pai has experience in the area of personal and business wealth & tax planning and helps both individuals and owners of closely-held and VC funded businesses, focusing particularly on the Asian community in the Greater Dallas area with more than 12,000 clients.
Website: legacywealthplanner.com
Contact: Sudhir Pai, CPA, FCA, EA, CGMA
Email: sudhir@legacywealthplanner.com
Service area: Texas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Pradyumna Nag
The PAVA Group, Inc.
Staffed by professional accountants and other accredited personnel, PAVA offers a full range of business, tax, and consulting services to individuals, corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profit organizations.
Website: thepavagroup.com
Contact: Padma Vaidyanathan, CPA
Email: Padma@thepavagroup.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Gina Lepore
The RMG Group
The RMG Group provides comprehensive internal accounting and bookkeeping services. Their services include: Accounts Receivable and Payable, Bank Reconciliations, Payroll Processing and Tax Filings (multi-state), Sales Tax Filings (multi-state), Audit Response (Federal/IRS, State, DoL, insurance, etc.), Internal audits and fraud controls, Financial Analysis, budgeting, projections, cashflows, etc, and more. Chara McGill, founder and president of The RMG Group, was featured on Episode 95 of our Unleashed podcast.
Website: thermggroup.com
Contact: Chara McGill
Email: chara@rmgbookkeeping.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Hourly, contact
Recommended by: Sarah Sonnenfeld, and Umbrex also uses them.
Young and Co.
Young and Co. is a virtual accounting service that helps CEOs increase cash flow, generate wealth, and keep more of their money with hands-on services and programs. The premium done-for-you monthly CFO service helps multiple 6- and 7-figure CEOs manage their money with clarity, keep more of what they earn, and grow a more profitable business with clear financial and tax strategies and back-end support. The annual business tax package goes beyond tax prep to help professionals maximize their profits.
Website: trustyoungco.com
Contact: Sarah Young
Email: hello@trustyoungco.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Jessica Lackey
Zccounting
Specializing in small to medium businesses, Zccounting’s mission is to prevent business failure by helping founders understand their numbers and compliance requirements through outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, bill-pay, payroll, tax and investor/stakeholder reporting.
Website: zccounting.com
Contact: Andrew Klein
Email: klein@zccounting.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Benjamin Einersen. “He has provided great expertise on tax planning and now serves as my bookkeeper. I have nothing but positive to say for his service.”
Brazil
Index Consult Contadores Associados Ltd
Index Consult works in the financial, accounting, auditing and governance, risk and compliance areas. The team has professionals with solid experience and multidisciplinary training acquired in Brazil and abroad. Index Consult works in the financial, accounting, auditing and governance, risk and compliance areas.
Website indexconsult.com.br
Contact: Alexandre Mello Pinto
Email: alexandre.mello@indexconsult.com.br
Service area: Brazil
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Marcelo Pinto
Directory of Recommended Tax Accountants
Bench
From bookkeeping to tax filing, Bench is the all-in-one financial toolkit your business can count on. Services include: Monthly Bookkeeping, Tax Advisory & Filing, Catch-up Bookkeeping, Retro Bookkeeping (for businesses behind in their accounting). They offer a free trial period. Listen to Episode 256 of the Unleashed podcast with Oscar Wimshurst of Bench.
Website: bench.co
Email: help@bench.co
Service area: Global
Rates: Essential Plan $249/month, Premium Plan $399/month
Recommended by: Alexei Beltyukov and Luiz Zorzella, who says this about them: “They have been my bookkeeper since 2018. I like their service, online interface and the service is 100% remote. I am happy with them and the cost.”
Paystream: My SME
Paystream is an umbrella and accountancy service provider that’s run by qualified accountants and lawyers. Their My SME service provides access to accountancy software, supported by expert advice, at a discounted rate.
Website: paystream.co.uk
Email: newbusiness@paystream.co.uk
Service area: Global
Rates: $26/month for My SME; additional services available at additional cost
Recommended by: Craig Curran, who says, “I have used this firm since setting up my own company and the service has been excellent. They provide software to raise invoices, review my bank account, record income and expenditure, prepare my annual accounts and corporation tax return, and they also issue regular updates regarding changes to tax and accounting requirements and other topics of interest.”
South Africa
Lynx Accounting
Lynx offers accounts, taxation, business advisory, payroll and support services to a wide range of businesses and individuals in South Africa.
Website: lynxaccounting.co.za
Contact: Liezel van Dyk
Email: liezel@lynxaccounting.co.za
Service area: South Africa
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Enslin Davel
India
Timeline Consultants
Darshana Maalavika has been a Senior Tax Consultant at Timeline Consultants for nearly a decade. Results-driven professional with around 12 years of experience in Finance and Accounts, Taxation, MIS and Auditing. Helps set goals and implement various financial disciplines, ensuring procedures and processes are in place for smooth and timely delivery of needs of the company in the areas of finance, accounting, and administration.
Website: linkedin.com/in/darshana-maalavika
Contact: Darshana Maalavika
Email: darshana.maalavika@gmail.com
Service area: Tamil Nadu, India
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Saumya Sinha. “Darshana has been doing my Indian taxes for seven years now. Extremely knowledgeable, super-prompt, and very professional. Rates are very reasonable.”
Rothsay Accounting
Provides clients with a responsive and high quality business advisory and compliance service that is always tailored to specific accounting needs. Services include accounting and bookkeeping, taxes and auditing, compliance, statutory, and more.
Website: rothsay.com.au
Contact: Alex PetrakisI
Email: info@rothsay.com.au
Service area: New South Wales, Australia
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Bryant Plavsic
Austria
Gerstgrasser Steuerberatung & Unternehmensberatung
Gerstgrasser Steuerberatung is a tax firm with a focus on tax consulting and management consulting. Their strength is the accompanying business advice for companies from all districts of Vorarlberg as well as for Swiss and Liechtenstein companies.
Website: gerstgrasser.at
Contact: Christian Gerstgrasser
Email: c.gerstgrasser@gerstgrasser.at
Service area: Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Kurt Hänsler. “Fully digital operating accounting firm and tax consulting, has taken care of me and my companies for five years.”
Germany
Thomas Langer
With ingenuity, experience and innovative technologies, Thomas Langer supports more than 700 reputable clients in exploiting digital growth potential in all aspects of taxes, finance, and accounting.
Website: stblanger.de
Contact: Thomas Langer
Email: Thomas.Langer@stblanger.de
Service area: Germany
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Yanay Zohar
Italy
Martinelli e Associati
Founded in 1990 by Giovanni Martinelli, the firm has developed in time guaranteeing quality and competence in matters pertaining to tax and corporate consultancy services.
Website: martinellieassociati.com
Contact: Cristina Erminero
Email: cristina.erminero@martinellieassociati.com
Service area: Italy
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Francesco Caporali. “I’ve been working with Cristina since 2011 and I can provide testimony of the quality of support. Definitely recommend this firm.”
Spain
Issei Asesores
Consultancy in Barcelona, specialized in the tax and business field with a team of professionals with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. Provides tax services such as tax preparation, financial advisory, accounting, personal tax planning, financial accounting, and small business tax.
Website: isseiasesoria.com
Contact: Yolanda Díez & Mireia Mengual
Email: issei@isseiasesoria.com
Service area: Barcelona, Spain
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Luis Barreto. “I have been working with them for 18 months and couldn’t be happier with their level of professionalism and their results.”
Switzerland
Delphin Treuhand AG
Offers comprehensive services in the areas of management consulting, tax consulting, auditing, and extensive accounting support.
Website: delphin-treuhand.ch
Email: info@delphin-treuhand.ch
Service area: Switzerland
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Ulrich Riedel
TaXperts
A Swiss-based firm that specializes in providing professional tax advisory services to expats, locals, and cross-borders living and working in Switzerland, as well as businesses that employ expats and employees from abroad.
Website: taxperts.ch
Contact: Selim Bucher
Email: info@taxperts.ch
Service area: Switzerland and US citizens living abroad
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Peter Eckart. “Owner is ex-Deloitte and well versed with the issue of having to file not only in Switzerland, but also the U.S. They also provide accountant services — a very helpful package!”
United Kingdom
Highfield Advisory
Highfield Advisory is a specialist consultancy business, providing accounting and taxation services combined with strategic advice to support startups and small businesses.
Website: highfieldadvisory.co.uk
Contact: Christopher Clark
Email: hello@highfieldadvisory.co.uk
Service area: England and Wales
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Nicky Shah
The Two Matts LLP
Certified accountants and chartered tax advisors.
Website: two-matts.com
Contact: Matt Ashwood
Email: admin@two-matts.com
Service area: United Kingdom
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Dan Schonfeld. “I’ve worked with Matt for over five years now, both as my accountant and tax advisor (in the U.K.) and as someone I’ve referred dozens of clients to, and so far everyone is happy. Highly recommended.”
Canada
Gauvreau
Based in Ontario, Gauvreau was stablished in 2008 with a vision to create a public accounting firm focused on providing the highest quality proactive accounting, taxation planning, and client services. Their team of highly skilled accounting and financial professionals are in the business of identifying the path to success for their clients and outlining the necessary steps to achieve financial and business results, with the goal of helping their clients achieve financial freedom.
Website: gauvreaucpa.ca
Contact: Patrick Sweeney
Email: psweeney@gauvreaucpa.ca
Service area: United States and Canada
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Luiz Zorzella. “They have been my accountant since 2018. They are used to clients who use Bench so the process is seamless. I am happy with them and the cost.”
United States
Adelman Katz & Mond LLP
Audit, tax, and bookkeeping services for small businesses and personal clients. Offers more robust services in business valuation and forensic accounting for both businesses and individuals to help you get even more from all your hard work.
Website: akmcpa.com
Contact: Alan Adelman
Email: aadelman@akmcpa.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: David Boxenbaum
AKD Consultants
AKD Consultants exists to help individuals and companies (startup and established) navigate complicated government regulations, complex IRS tax codes, and crazy business pitfalls.
Website: akdconsultants.com
Contact: Adam Dworkin
Email: admin@akdconsultants.com
Service area: Boston, Massachusetts
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Bernhard Heine
Aqua Tax Accounting
Offers a broad range of services for business owners, executives and independent professionals, including tax, business, Quickbooks, and Xero services at affordable rates.
Website: aquataxaccounting.com
Contact: Frank D’Aquino
Email: info@aquataxaccounting.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Gina Lepore
CA Accounting
A leading accounting firm in Southern California, dedicated to providing accounting, tax, and consulting services to both businesses and individuals.
Website: caaccounting.com
Contact: Farshid Khosravi
Email: farshid@caaccounting.com
Service area: Southern California
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Jonathan Wilson
Egan Tax and Books Ltd.
Becky Egan is a Certified Public Accountant who specializes in working with small businesses, as well as helping individuals with their taxes and personal finances.
Website: eganltd.com
Contact: Becky Egan
Email: becky@eganltd.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Brad Pickar
Farkouh, Furman & Faccio
Fred Farkouh has more than 40 years of experience representing large corporations and mid-market entities in tax planning and compliance, including both domestic and international tax issues.
Website: fffcpas.com
Contact: Fred Farkouh, J.D., CPA
Email: mbeditz@fffcpas.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Eli Diament
Gregory J. Stanley & Company, CPA, PC
Providing strategic business advice on taxes and accounting to help individuals, businesses, and other organizations reach their financial goals. The firm offers tax preparation, financial statement reporting, audits and reviews of financial statements, financial planning, and forensic accounting services.
Website: gjstanley.com
Contact: Portia L. Patterson (303)668-9362
Email: portia@gjstanley.com
Service area: Denver, Colorado
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Barry Witonsky
Golden Gate Accounting
Serving the San Francisco Bay area since 2004, Golden State is focused on tax and accounting strategy for individuals and small businesses.
Website: goldenstateaccounting.co
Contact: David Haase, Managing Partner
Email: contact@goldenstateaccounting.co
Service area: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Rates: $165 per hour for preparation and $250 for review or a la carte work. Detailed estimate upon request.
Recommended by: Carlos Castelan
Hal Brand, CPA
Creates valuable relationships with clients and provides tax, accounting, and consulting services for individuals and businesses.
Website: halbrandcpa.com
Contact: Hal Brand or Patrick Brand
Email: hal@halbrandcpa.com, patrick@halbrandcpa.com
Service area: California
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Glenton Jelbert and Carl Offhaus, who says the firm is “professional, responsive, thorough, and sound advisors.”
Howe & Romero
Offers an array of tax accounting services from tax preparation (individual, partnership, S Corp, C Corp, trusts) and international tax compliance (U.S. citizens abroad) to bookkeeping and other accounting services.
Website: howeromerocpas.com
Contact: Iain Howe
Email: Iain@howeromerocpas.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Dan Balcauski
IC Tax Advisors
Independent Contractor Tax Advisors is a licensed CPA firm that provides accounting services and tax advice for contractors, consultants, and other self-employed clients across the U.S at a low, monthly cost.
Website: ictaxadvisors.com
Contact: Brock Andersen
Email: admin@ictaxadvisors.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: David Zhao
James R. Tom, CPA
Personal and small businesses tax services in Boerne, TX and the surrounding Central Texas communities. Services include tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, estate and trust taxes, and more.
Contact: James Tom
Phone: (830) 249-8442
Service area: Central Texas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Darrin Caramonta
Jet Tax Services, Inc.
Family owned entrepreneurial accounting and consulting firm in New York, specializing in tax preparation for Corporations, LLCs, Partnerships, and Sole Proprietors.
Website: jet-tax.com
Contact: Frank Lin
Email: tax@jettaxinc.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Ray Liu
John M. Matras CPA Incorporated
Assists clients with tax preparations, tax penalties and delinquent tax returns, as well as bookkeeping and accounting services.
Website: johnmmatrascpa.com
Contact: John Matras
Email: jm@johnmmatrascpa.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Tax returns $225-275, Accounting & bookkeeping $200-595
Recommended by: Waziri Garuba
Marc Lewis & Associates Inc.
Full service tax firm dedicated to providing individuals and small businesses exemplary and affordable tax filings and related services.
Website: marclewistax.com
Email: stephanie@marclewistax.com
Service area: Texas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Rick Denton. “Not only does his small business firm do a fantastic job with my business (and personal for that matter) taxes, both the annual filing and providing advice through the year, his office was instrumental in getting my business created in the state of Texas. They did the filings. They handle any needed documentation updates. They go above and beyond what a tax advisor should do. They are primarily federal and Texas focused but have worked with firms outside of Texas.”
Marcum LLP
Jonah Gruda advises on complex tax matters and specializes in income taxation, executive compensation and stock option planning, estate and gift planning, and wealth preservation. Gruda was featured in Episode 56 of our Unleashed podcast.
Website: marcumllp.com
Contact: Jonah Gruda, tax partner
Email: jonah.gruda@marcumllp.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Several Umbrex members
Mason Ltd.
A small firm that offers bookkeeping, accounting, financial, payroll, retirement, and tax planning and preparation services.
Website: masonlimited.com
Contact: Andy Mason
Email: cpa@masonlimited.com
Service area: Minnesota
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Steffen Meyer
Mei CPA
Accredited firm with a wide range of accounting services, including bookkeeping, business entity planning, IRS audit, tax preparation, payroll services, and Quickbooks advising and consulting.
Website: meicpa.com
Email: meicpa@hotmail.com
Service area: New York and surrounding areas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Helen Vavougios
Moss Krusick
Joe Brydon at this firm has considerable experience in the overall accounting; general business consulting; and tax planning & preparation services. His expertise includes providing services for businesses in wholesale and retail trades, real estate, professional services (Doctors, Attorneys, Dentists, Architects, etc.), restaurants, health care and not-for-profit organizations.
Website: mosskrusick.com
Contact: Joseph M. Brydon, CPA
Email: brydon@mosskrusick.com
Service area: Florida
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Astrid Malval-Beharry
Perelson Weiner
Perelson Weiner LLP is a leading advisory and full-service accounting firm where longstanding client relationships and technical expertise come together to positively impact clients’ lives and businesses. Full service accounting and tax strategy.
Website: pwcpa.com
Contact: Ron Weiner
Email: ron@pwcpa.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Ilene Leff
PP & Co.
As senior partner at PP&Co, Tom Wagstaff is responsible for providing tax and business consulting for closely held businesses, their owners, and families. At PP&Co he has worked on numerous projects for clients in a variety of industries, including the implementation of tax planning strategies, compensation planning and incentive stock option planning.
Website: ppandco.com
Contact: Tom Wagstaff
Email: twagstaff@ppandco.com
Service area: San Jose and Santa Cruz, California and Portland, Oregon
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Kevin Boer
Ruane & Company, LLP
A small firm aimed to give personalized, quality services in accounting, consulting, bookkeeping, taxes, and more.
Website: ruanecpa.com
Contact: Tom Ruane
Email: truane@ruanecpa.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: James Phan
SEO CPA Group Ltd.
Offers a range of services to clients including auditing and attestation services, tax preparation and planning, CFO and consulting services, information technology, third party administrator services, payroll, and bookkeeping.
Website: seocpagroup.com
Contact: Robert Penrose, CPA
Email: rpenrose@seocpagroup.com
Service area: Ohio
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Brad Hollingsworth
Simches & Company LLP
Simches is a boutique tax, accounting and financial planning firm specializing in closely held businesses and high net worth family relationships.
Website: simchesco.com
Contact: Mike Simches
Email: info@simchesco.com
Service area: United States, based in Massachusetts
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Daniel Behr
Simon & Deitz CPA
With over 25 years of experience, several degrees in business and management, Simon & Deitz LLC offers a well-rounded platform of financial services and a personal, customized plan for both accounting and taxation needs.
Website: kendeitzcpa.com
Contact: Ken Deitz
Contact at: kendeitzcpa.com/meet-ken
Service area: New Jersey
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Sam M. Cohen
Sudhir Pai
Sudhir Pai has experience in the area of personal and business wealth & tax planning and helps both individuals and owners of closely-held and VC funded businesses, focusing particularly on the Asian community in the Greater Dallas area with more than 12,000 clients.
Website: legacywealthplanner.com
Contact: Sudhir Pai, CPA, FCA, EA, CGMA
Email: sudhir@legacywealthplanner.com
Service area: Texas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Pradyumna Nag
The PAVA Group, Inc.
Staffed by professional accountants and other accredited personnel, PAVA offers a full range of business, tax, and consulting services to individuals, corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profit organizations.
Website: thepavagroup.com
Contact: Padma Vaidyanathan, CPA
Email: Padma@thepavagroup.com
Service area: New York
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Gina Lepore
The RMG Group
The RMG Group provides comprehensive internal tax accounting and bookkeeping services. Their services include: Accounts Receivable and Payable, Bank Reconciliations, Payroll Processing and Tax Filings (multi-state), Sales Tax Filings (multi-state), Audit Response (Federal/IRS, State, DoL, insurance, etc.), Internal audits and fraud controls, Financial Analysis, budgeting, projections, cashflows, etc, and more. Chara McGill, founder and president of The RMG Group, was featured on Episode 95 of our Unleashed podcast.
Website: thermggroup.com
Contact: Chara McGill
Email: chara@rmgbookkeeping.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Hourly, contact
Recommended by: Sarah Sonnenfeld, and Umbrex also uses them.
Waters & Hardy
Waters Hardy is a CPA firm specializing in complex tax management. Provides personal and corporate accounting services and financial expertise.
Website: watershardy.com
Contact: Justin Scales
Email: info@watershardy.com
Service area: Texas
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Jay Martin “I moved to doing a hybrid of TurboTax, plus needed a firm to do my payroll for my S-Corp. Justin (he is a junior guy there, but the partners he can rely on are solid) supports me with doing all the payroll and other activities. I like them a lot as they are very reasonable and honest.”
Young and Co.
Young and Co. is a virtual accounting service that helps CEOs increase cash flow, generate wealth, and keep more of their money with hands-on services and programs. The premium done-for-you monthly CFO service helps multiple 6- and 7-figure CEOs manage their money with clarity, keep more of what they earn, and grow a more profitable business with clear financial and tax strategies and back-end support. The annual business tax package goes beyond tax prep to help professionals maximize their profits.
Website: trustyoungco.com
Contact: Sarah Young
Email: hello@trustyoungco.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Jessica Lackey
Zccounting
Specializing in small to medium businesses, Zccounting’s mission is to prevent business failure by helping founders understand their numbers and compliance requirements through outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, bill-pay, payroll, tax and investor/stakeholder reporting.
Website: zccounting.com
Contact: Andrew Klein
Email: klein@zccounting.com
Service area: United States
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Benjamin Einersen. “He has provided great expertise on tax planning and now serves as my bookkeeper. I have nothing but positive to say for his service.”
Brazil
Index Consult Contadores Associados Ltd
Index Consult works in the financial, accounting, auditing and governance, risk and compliance areas. The team has professionals with solid experience and multidisciplinary training acquired in Brazil and abroad. Index Consult works in the financial, accounting, auditing and governance, risk and compliance areas.
Website indexconsult.com.br
Contact: Alexandre Mello Pinto
Email: alexandre.mello@indexconsult.com.br
Service area: Brazil
Rates: Contact
Recommended by: Marcelo Pinto
