I am looking for a new accountant (just personal; probably just meet
for tax time). I have no idea where to turn in Santa Barbara. Any
recommendations?
COMMENT 104915P
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2010-09-14 04:24 PM |
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Scott Walther at Longo Law Offices on Brinkerhoff is excellent.
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COMMENT 104920
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2010-09-14 04:35 PM |
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I own a home, and own a small business - I'm a horrible bookkeeper and used an accounting firm here in town for a long time. A friend of mine turned me on to Turbo Tax. I resisted for a long time but in 2009 I bought the program and was instantly hooked. It is easy to use and up to date with tax code changes. It takes as much time as preparing for my old accountant etc. It's a very intuitive program (I'm lousy at computers) but I'm sure I've saved thousands on accounting fee's. My finances are pretty transparent - so maybe that has something to do with my happiness of doing it on my own. I hope this helps -
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COMMENT 104922
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2010-09-14 04:40 PM |
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Donna Matthews of Matthews and Company 805-967-4647. She has been an accountant in Santa Barbara for many years and she is amazing!
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COMMENT 104925
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2010-09-14 04:53 PM |
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104920 brings up a good point. If you go to a place like H&R Block to do your taxes, they will be using the SAME EXACT program that Turbo Tax uses to do your taxes. Unless you are a total idiot or unbelievably computer illiterate, use these tax preparation software tools instead of going to H&R Block. However, there are a lot of people with complex tax issues who will benefit greatly by using a GOOD accountant. Sorry, but I don't know any that I could recommend.
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COMMENT 104929
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2010-09-14 05:02 PM |
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Carolyn Howe at Women In Tax (962-2579) is pretty great-- I've been going to her for 3 years now and can't even imagine going to anyone else... she is a no-nonsense, very awesome lady.
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COMMENT 104944
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2010-09-14 05:48 PM |
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I use Scott Walther also
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COMMENT 104961
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2010-09-14 07:06 PM |
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There is nothing wrong with H&R Block. The nice thing about them is that if there are any problems with the taxes they do for you, they take full responsibility. My taxes are very complex and I have used an accountant before but the liability was on my shoulders and sure enough I got audited by the IRS and they said I owed 10K. Another thing I have noticed is that you can go to a few different CPA's and each of them will come up with a different #, including HR Block.
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COMMENT 104962
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2010-09-14 07:11 PM |
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There is a Santa Barbara Accounting Group- you can search for it online and they will put you in touch with their members. I have used it a couple of times to find a bookkeeper
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BOOKLADY
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2010-09-14 07:18 PM |
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I highly recommend Joe Kennedy of Kennedy Accounting Systems (962-1626). He takes care of our taxes which are fairly simple with occasional complication. He also takes care of my father-in-law's very complex taxes. He is great.
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COMMENT 104966
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2010-09-14 07:26 PM |
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Bartlett Pringle & Wolf has done an excellent job with my taxes for the last decade or so. Great local firm.
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COMMENT 104972
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2010-09-14 08:08 PM |
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Carolyn Howe is indeed awesome.
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COMMENT 104973
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2010-09-14 08:09 PM |
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If you go to a CPA or other authorized tax preparer - they're responsible for your tax return if you end up getting audited. It's their job.
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COMMENT 104986P
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2010-09-14 09:19 PM |
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Bartlett Pringle and Wolf is an excellent choice. But be prepared....you can pay several thousand dollars with them, depending on the return and situation. So make sure you actually can afford to have your taxes done or whatever else you are needing an accountant for first.
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COMMENT 104993P
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2010-09-14 11:40 PM |
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Mark Pasternak CPA on Milpas Street. He has been handling my personal and business for more than 10 years and has been super fair on costs and provided me with excellent service.
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BONKERS
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2010-09-15 07:09 AM |
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I recommend Joe Kennedy too. 805-962-1626
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COMMENT 105003
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2010-09-15 07:18 AM |
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Bob at Robert Renaud & Assoc. 965-7737. Across from Victor the Florist in downtown SB. Been working with him personally for almost 2 decades. When you get his bill you'll wonder how he stays in business. And he's a sweetheart. Always takes time to explain things when I say, "that's a little over my head." Maybe depends on the CPA but part of me filing me taxes is a form that gives Robert's info yet I sign saying I understand the info given is my responsibility.
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COMMENT 105028
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2010-09-15 08:06 AM |
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Walpole and Associates, its does a great job at a reasonable cost, we use Luis Pelayo there, and he is very good.
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COMMENT 105046
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2010-09-15 08:52 AM |
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My Friend Blake Sova is an Enrolled Agent. Check him out. He is an honest guy.
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COMMENT 105049
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2010-09-15 08:54 AM |
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Gandrude Financial in Carpinteria. We have used him for many years now for taxes and financial advice.
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COMMENT 105050
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2010-09-15 08:54 AM |
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Hi The very best account I know in this town is Richard Withey He is thorough, efficient, fast and a good listener!He can come to your house and he doesn't charge a arm and a leg. He has been in the business for over 30 years. Give him a call at 698-8550 !
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EDONE
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2010-09-15 09:09 AM |
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The dedicated staff and Edhat have been using Campbell & Howard, enrolled agents, for over 20 years.You can trust them 100%, and on many occasions, they have saved us lots of money. They are like family --- offering advice when you ask for it, and when you don't. :-) Sandra Howard is a true friend of Ed, if ever there was one. Not sure, however, if they are taking new clients.
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COMMENT 105058
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2010-09-15 09:18 AM |
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Sally Reagan and Carolyn Howe at Women in Tax are the absolute best!
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COMMENT 105088P
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2010-09-15 10:20 AM |
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I just made an appointment to meet with Carolyn Howe at Women In Tax. Thank you Edhat Community for the recommendation!
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COMMENT 105180
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2010-09-15 01:50 PM |
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A great recommendation is Norm Cotnoir at Cortnoir CPA he is a really personable guy and really prides himself on finding the best tax breaks for his clients and he is always willing to chat and advise without charging for every little minute of phone calls...
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COMMENT 105200
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2010-09-15 02:39 PM |
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Maeda Palius, CPA of Palius and O'Kelley. 5290 Overpass Road
805-683-7585
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COMMENT 105206
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2010-09-15 02:55 PM |
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Gary Gary 314 E. Carrillo
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COMMENT 105398
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2010-09-16 08:49 AM |
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Maeda Palius of Palius & O'Kelley
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COMMENT 197040P
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2011-07-26 09:02 PM |
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Another happy client of Norm Cotnoir. Excellent CPA, great guy. Not only does he handle my taxes, he has helped me tremendously as a small business owner with great advice.
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COMMENT 313921
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2012-08-29 01:13 PM |
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I HIGHLY reccommend Joseph P Kennedy of Kennedy Accounting Systems. The first year that he did my tax preparation he was able to get me over $2k more in my return that H&R Block had missed in years prior by not applying all of the tax credits that I was eligible for. I have been using his services ever since and I will never go to anyone else again to prepare my taxes. He has been doing business in downtown Santa Barbara for nearly 30 years now and I strongly recommend anyone that has complicated tax filings or out of state returns to go see him first. He is very personable and informative. A great resourace for any kind of finacial services needed ( bookkeeping, payroll, etc).
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