2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP ACCOUNTING FIRMS IN AUSTIN, TX
Finding the Top Accounting Firms in Austin, Texas, U.S.
Taking the complex and making it simple. Turning finances into something manageable. Creating value. Taking tax and accounting issues and ensuring they’re effortless.
These should be the goals of a professional accounting firm.
When you’re considering the accounting firms in Austin, TX, you likely want to work with a firm that boasts not only a strong reputation and years of experience but also Austin accountants that are innovative problem-solvers who are willing to look outside traditional confines and create valuable solutions for their clients.
It’s with those goals in mind that we created this ranking of the top CPA firms in Austin, TX. These firms represent a dedication to client-driven service, high levels of professionalism, and quality delivery.
At the same time, while they’re experts at what they do, they’re always looking beyond the obvious to find ways to help their clients save money and meet their present and future goals.
Award Emblem: Top 12 Best Accounting Firms in Austin, TX
AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 12 Best Accounting Firms in Austin, TX
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the firm names below to go directly to the detailed review for that accounting firm).
- Bounds Chatelain & Pharr
- Carpenter and Langford
- Holtzman Partners LLP
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter
- Meador & Jones LLP
- Phillips Anker, PC
- Powell, Ebert & Smolik
- Salley & Clements, PC
- Scalco Johnson Leahy & Dudek, CPAs PLLC
- Sweeten CPA
- Threadgill, Ryan and Associates, P.C.
- W. Hamilton & Co. PLLC
Click here for 2016’s ranking of the Top 12 Best Accounting Firms in Austin
Top Accounting Firms in Austin, TX | Brief Comparison & Ranking
| Firm | Highlighted Features |
| Bounds Chatelain and Pharr, P.C. | Long-standing local reputation of excellence |
| Carpenter and Langford, P.C. | Comprehensive business advisory services |
| Holtzman Partners LLP | Strong community involvement & philanthropic focus |
| Maxwell Locke & Ritter (MLRPC) | Diverse range of accounting services |
| Meador & Jones, LLP | Sincere focus on creating & providing educational tools |
| Phillips Anker, PC | Diverse & inclusive accounting staff |
| Powell, Ebert & Smolik, P.C. | Personal, one-on-one client approach |
| Salley & Clements, P.C. | Expert tools & tips on financial topics, software, and tax procedures |
| Scalco Johnson Leahy & Dudek CPAs, PLLC | Personal tax planning & estate planning for individual clients |
| Sweeten CPA | Friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable firm |
| Threadgill, Ryan and Associates, PC | Wide range of services for an array of businesses & individuals |
| W. Hamilton & Co., PLLC | Dynamic resources & services catered to businesses |
Table: Top 12 Best Austin Accounting Firms | Above list is sorted alphabetically
AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
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Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Accounting Firms in Austin, TX
Below, please find a detailed review of each firm on our list of best accounting firms in Austin, TX. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these Austin accounting firms to score so high in our selection ranking.
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Bounds Chatelain & Pharr, P.C. Review
Located in Austin, Texas, Bounds Chatelain & Pharr (BCP) is a full-service accounting firm, founded more than 40 years ago.
This Austin CPA firm offers a full selection of services including not just tax preparation, but services within all areas of accounting.
Key Factors That Enabled This Firm to Rank as a Top 2017 Austin Accounting Firm
Listed below are some of the unique elements of Bounds Chatelain & Pharr that led to its ranking as one of the top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
No-Obligation Consultation
When it comes to serving the needs of local businesses, these Austin CPAs understand that each business comes with unique accounting needs and financial goals.
Because it can be difficult to pinpoint an Austin CPA firm that best suits your unique needs, BCP offers a free no-obligation consultation.
This is a great way for businesses to get an introduction into how these Austin acccountants can meet their needs before signing any type of contract or beginning an official accounting plan.
Long-Standing Local Reputation
In Austin, a sense of community connection is very important, and that’s something this Austin accounting firm brings to the table.
With more than 40 years of accounting experience, BCP is one of the longest operating CPA firms in Austin, TX.
All of the associates and staff have a deep connection to the community.
Professional Memberships
When ranking the top accounting firms in Austin, TX, one priority was the consideration of memberships in professional associations.
BCP belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs.
This ensures they maintain their longstanding professional reputation and uphold the highest standards levels at both the local and the national level.
This also gives them greater access to resources and continuing education and development to ensure they remain at the forefront of the accounting industry.
Full-Service
As mentioned, BCP is a full-service Austin accounting firm. These services include:
Tax
These CPAs in Austin focus on preparing the absolute minimum tax liability through the following tax services:
- Income tax preparation
- IRS audit representation
- Tax planning
- State & local tax
- Payroll tax
- Multistate tax
Accounting
Businesses will find that these Austin CPAs are ready and waiting to assist in all their accounting needs. A sampling of the accounting services offered by BCP include:
- Bookkeeping review
- Data entry
- Analysis
- Software assistance
Audit/Consulting
BCP recognizes that auditing and counseling are necessary pieces of maintaining a successful business.
They strive to make the process of creating financial statements and conducting audits into a seamless process, ultimately providing high value for each client.
Carpenter & Langford, P.C. Review
For more than 25 years, Carpenter and Langford, P.C. has been a reputable accounting, tax and financial services firm working with both individuals and businesses.
This Austin CPA firm is proficient in a broad range of service areas, and their number one priority is the financial well-being of clients.
The firm was founded in 1991 and has enjoyed steady growth within the Austin community since then.
Image Source: Top Austin Accounting Firms
Key Factors That Led Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin Accounting Firm
Listed below are details of Carpenter & Langford, P.C. that make it stand out as one of 2017’s top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
Tax Services
Carpenter & Langford provides a very diverse and specialized array of tax services. This area of specialization has led to their recognition as a top CPA in Austin.
Tax services offered by these Austin accountants include:
Tax Planning:
The team can help clients understand the complex tax code and how it applies to their unique situation. They can prepare projections to estimate tax liability and uncover tax savings opportunities.
Tax Preparation:
Carpenter & Langford offers assistance with preparing and filing both state and federal returns including income tax returns, payroll returns, and sales tax returns.
IRS Representation:
The firm can help clients by responding to IRS notices and providing representation during audits.
Relationship Longevity
For more than 25 years, Carpenter and Langford has remained among the top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
As a reputable financial service provider, this CPA in Austin puts their focus on the client and the building of valuable, long-term relationships.
Carpenter & Langford strives to provide the high-level service of a national CPA firm, but with a dedication to maintaining a personal approach, where client relationships and satisfaction are central to the process.
Business Advisory Services
The professionals at Carpenter and Langford, one of the top CPA firms in Austin, TX, offer a wide variety of services for business owners of all scales.
These business advisory services include:
Entity Selection
Selecting a business entity impacts every area of operation, so the Carpenter & Langford team can help new business owners choose the option that will be most advantageous for them in terms of operations and finances.
Buying/Selling Business
Carpenter & Langford can partner with business clients to provide analysis and preparation of key financial information affecting the buying or selling of a business.
Bookkeeping & Compilations
This CPA in Austin maintains a full-time bookkeeping staff so they can carefully and meticulously document financial activity and deliver statements with both monthly and yearly progress.
Professional Affiliation
Several of the team members at Carpenter & Langford are members of prestigious professional organizations.
Joe D. Langford, CPA, is a managing shareholder of the firm and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
James T. Ragland, a principal and shareholder, is a member of the Austin chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Brett Laine, a principal and shareholder, is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Business Networking International.
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Holtzman Partners Review
Holtzman Partners is a full-service firm of Austin accountants in operation since 2004.
Holtzman Partners was created to fill a need in the area for a public accounting firm that could help companies with audits and also assist them through every area of the business cycle, whether they were a start-up or a large public company.
The focus of Holtzman Partners is on engaging clients and offering them a service that addresses their individual needs and objectives.
Key Factors That Enabled This Firm to Rank as a Top 2017 CPA in Austin, TX
Below are cited relevant factors included in the decision to rank Holtzman Partners one of the top CPAs in Austin for 2017.
Mission Statement
The goal of every area of service delivery offered by the team at Holtzman Partners is to make the customer central.
It’s with this customer-focused attitude that the Holtzman mission statement was created: “To empower our team to provide exceptional service to clients in every phase of their growth.”
The Austin accountants at Holtzman doesn’t provide tax and accounting services based on their own goals; instead, they approach each engagement from within the framework of what’s right for the individual client and their business.
Their business philosophy is devotion to the team, clients, and the community. They believe that by providing the right tools, support, and education they can facilitate others’ success.
Professional Affiliations
As one of the top Austin CPA firms, Holtzman Partners is affiliated with several high-level professional organizations:
- Allinial Global
- AICPA (American Institute of CPAs)
- AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center Member
- Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
- Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
Industry Specialization
Holtzman Partners works with more than 200 clients from a range of industry backgrounds and phases of business growth.
They offer industry expertise and insight in the following areas:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Natural resources
- Non-profit
- Professional services
- Retail
- Technology
Community Involvement
As one of the top-ranking accounting firms in Austin, Holtzman Partners takes the concepts of giving back and community involvement very seriously.
They are a member of Austin Gives, and as part of this organization, they donate 1% or more of their pre-tax earnings to philanthropic causes every year.
Some of the organizations supported in 2015 included the Austin Zoo, Opportunity Austin, the Ronald McDonald House, and Zilker Theatre Productions.
Maxwell Locke & Ritter Review
Maxwell Locke & Ritter is an accounting, tax, and consulting firm that works with businesses and individuals, offering a variety of financial services all delivered with the clients’ objectives in mind.
Maxwell Locke & Ritter has been a longstanding part of Central Texas, and it holds the distinction of being the largest locally owned and managed accounting firm in Austin.
As well as offices in downtown Austin, Maxwell Locke & Ritter maintains offices in Round Rock.
Key Factors That Allowed This Firm to Rank as a Top 2017 CPA in Austin
When narrowing down the top Austin accountants, below are some of the factors leading to the inclusion of Maxwell Locke & Ritter as one of 2017’s top 12 accounting firms in Austin, TX.
Awards
Over the years, this Austin, TX, accountant firm has been the recipient of many awards.
In 2017, they were recognized as a Fit-Friendly Workplace, receiving the Gold Award from the American Heart Association.
In 2016, this top Austin accountant was recognized by the Austin Business Journal as one of the healthiest employers in Central Texas, and listed amongst the Best Firms to Work For by Accounting Today.
Other notable awards include the following recognition in 2016 from INSIDE Public Accounting:
- Best of the Best Firms
- 200 Fastest-Growing Firms
- Top 200 Firms
Core Values
At Maxwell Locke & Ritter, the goal is always to provide exceptionally high-quality service in a casual, approachable atmosphere. Their core values follow this concept and include the following:
- Open communication is encouraged
- Firm environment consists of motivation through empowerment
- Competency, compassion, and courtesy are pivotal to client service
- The firm works to always maintain commitments
- Everyone is treated with honesty, dignity, and respect
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter is an active part of the local community
- A balance between work and personal life is integral to the success
Diverse Services
As one of the top Austin CPAs, Maxwell Locke & Ritter doesn’t just specialize in one area; it is truly a full-service firm that can help clients with a wide range of financial services and areas of expertise.
Services offered by Maxwell Locke & Ritter include:
Audit
The team of accounting professionals won’t just express opinions; they will delve deeply into a client’s full financial picture and offer a critical and value-creating perspective.
Tax
These Austin accountants will help individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and other entities remain compliant, meet deadlines, and monitor the tax code.
Consulting
Maxwell Locke & Ritter becomes a reliable partner and business advisor for clients, offering creative solutions to complex problems.
Other services offered by this Austin CPA firm include due diligence, family office, wealth management, SOC examinations, and retirement.
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Meador & Jones, LLP Review
Serving the local community since 1985, Meador & Jones, LLP is a locally owned Austin accounting firm that approaches client service by building lasting relationships.
The accounting team at Meador & Jones works with both business and individual clients to develop innovative solutions to tax and financial issues.
The firm offers a personalized approach to accounting that allows them to gain a full and comprehensive picture of their clients’ finances in order to deliver objective service.
Key Factors That Enabled Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin Accounting Firm
When comparing accounting firms in Austin, TX, the following are some of the distinctions leading to the selection of Meador & Jones as one of the top 2017 Austin CPAs.
Financial Tools
To help provide clients with a complete perspective of their finances, and to assist them in planning and understanding financial issues more completely, Meador & Jones has compiled a variety of readily-available online financial tools:
Some of these financial tools include:
- Car Loan Calculator
- Lease vs. Buy
- Checkbook Balancer
- Home Budget Analysis
- College Savings
- Life Insurance Calculator
- Mortgage Payoff
- Retirement Pension Planner
- 1040 Tax Calculator
Multistate Advisement
Meador & Jones is one of the unique accounting firms in Austin, TX, because they provide valuable services both in and out of Texas.
These Austin CPAs deliver localized service to the community and specific to the needs of local businesses and individuals, while also providing multistate advisory services.
Multistate tax compliance and planning is a regular part of what Meador & Jones does for clients.
This allows clients to determine factors such as registration requirements, sales tax, income tax, and payroll, even if they operate across multiple states.
Continuing Development
The financial, tax, and regulatory industry are constantly changing at both the state and federal level. That’s why it’s so important for CPAs in Austin to be continually educated and trained as new issues and regulations arise.
This is something the team at Meador & Jones is committed to.
They regularly participate in not only research and continuing education, but also in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ quality review program. Meador & Jones has always received the highest possible rating from these reviews.
Accounting Services
Along with tax services, diverse accounting services are a critical part of what Meador & Jones does.
They provide audits, reviews, and compilations that include innovative and objective solutions to improve profitability and efficiency.
Additional accounting services offered by this leading Austin accounting firm include:
- General ledger and financial statement preparation
- Bookkeeping
- Accounting system setup for new businesses
- Computerized payroll
- Business tax return preparation including sales and use and business property
- Personal financial statements
- Litigation support
Phillips Anker, PC Review
Phillips Anker, PC is a full-service Austin accounting firm serving a range of financial and business needs.
Phillips Anker has been serving the needs of Austin-area businesses and individuals since 1954, and their services range from basic tax management to complex financial and forensic accounting.
This firm of Austin CPAs strives to provide service that’s objective, proactive, and problem-solving, and those are essential components that have led to their longevity in the industry.
Key Factors Leading Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin CPA
Cited below are some of the pertinent reasons Phillips Anker was selected as one of the top 12 accounting firms in Austin, TX.
Female Leadership
The leadership team of Phillips Anker is predominantly female, which allows them to offer a diverse approach and perspective.
In fact, 8 out of 10 employees are women, marking a drastic break from the traditional accounting dynamic.
Shareholder Jamie Phillips has been working with the firm since 1994, and before that she was with a large firm in Houston. She has experience in areas including small business planning, tax compliance, and estate tax, and she received her BBA in accounting from Texas A&M.
Erin Anker is also a shareholder who’s worked with the firm since 2001, while Elizabeth Murdock and Laurie Cobb are employees with decades of public accounting experience.
Financial Guides
In an effort to empower clients in their financial decisions, Phillips Anker provides a variety of useful financial tools and guides.
They’ve created comprehensive guides to cover some of the most commonly asked about financial areas, and these guides include:
- Banking
- Business
- Financial
- Insurance
- Life events
- Taxes
Services
While service is highly personalized and tailored at Phillips Anker, the service offerings are broad and diverse—and always provided with the utmost attention to constantly evolving regulations.
Services include:
- Tax Management
- Assurance & Advisory
- Estate/Trust Planning/Tax Preparation
- Litigation support & Forensic Accounting
- Bookkeeping/Write-up
- Accounting Software Selection, Implementation & Support
- Accounting
- Payroll
- Business Valuation
- IRS Representation
- Entity Selection & Restructuring
- Computer Consulting
Online File Sharing
For customers who want to securely and conveniently access their financial files, documents and tax information at any hour, Phillips Anker offers a secure online client portal.
This offers clients the opportunity to upload and download files, even with sensitive information, and they can be shared with their tax professional.
This makes it easy to seamlessly manage documents, even for very busy clients, and everything is conveniently located in one centralized place.
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Powell, Ebert & Smolik, P.C. Review
Powell, Ebert & Smolik, P.C. is an Austin CPA firm founded in 1992 by Big Four accounting firm partners Daniel B. Powell II, Vernon J. Ebert, and Jim B. Smolik when they brought their practices together.
Robert A. Schriber became a shareholder in 1996, and during the firm’s history, they have consistently grown and become one of the largest locally owned Austin CPA firms.
The firm’s principals boast an impressive 90 combined years’ experience and have a combined 50 years of experience with Big Four firms.
Key Factors That Enabled This Firm to Rank as One of the Top 2017 Austin CPAs
Highlighted below are characteristics leading Powell, Ebert & Smolik to its selection as one of 2017’s top 12 Austin CPA firms.
Professionals from Diverse Backgrounds
To provide the most robust and diverse level of service to each and every client, all of the Austin accountants employed by Powell, Ebert & Smolik have a distinctive background and area of expertise.
The firm employs 25 five-tax professionals, and their service areas range from traditional accounting to specialized consulting in a variety of expert areas.
Some of these specialty areas include business valuation, consulting services for closely-held business, estate and gift taxation, and local taxation.
Personal Approach
While the breadth of knowledge and expertise may be extensive at Powell, Ebert & Smolik, this is a firm of Austin CPAs that maintains its sense of personalized attention and service with each client engagement.
Clients will find their team of tax professionals is highly accessible and stays in continual communication with them throughout the year, all while coming up with creative and uniquely tailored solutions to a range of financial complexities and issues.
Community Engagement
A significant aspect of Powell, Ebert & Smolik’s dedication to upholding the highest ethical and quality standards, as well as maintaining their longstanding reputation in the Austin area, includes a focus on community service.
Some of the organizations the firm and its employees have been recently involved with include:
- Austin Rotary Club
- The Dell Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Catholic Diocese of Austin
- United Way-Austin
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Young Men’s Business League
- CASA
- The Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- Caritas
Newsletters and Updates
An essential aspect of remaining on top of tax and financial issues, whether you’re a business or an individual, is making sure to stay updated on changes in law and regulation.
It’s with that in mind that Powell, Ebert & Smolik offers regularly released newsletters that answer frequently asked questions and help clients understand the newest updates in the tax code.
Some of the recent newsletter topics available from this Austin accountant include:
- “White House, Capitol Hill talk tax reform in 2017”
- “Filing season begins: IRS warns of return delays”
- “National Taxpayer Advocate calls for taxpayer-centric IRS”
- “How do I establish a profit motive for business activities?
- “FAQ: What is transferee tax liability?”
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Salley & Clements, P.C. Review
A full-service Austin CPA firm, Salley & Clements, P.C. works to build professional, supportive relationships and serve the tax and accounting needs of both businesses and individuals.
The firm includes professionals who have wide-reaching experience in tax advisement and accounting, and they operate based on core principles including professionalism, responsiveness, and quality.
Key Factors That Led Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin CPA
Below are some of the unique features of Salley & Clements leading to its inclusion as one of 2017’s top Austin CPAs.
Professional Affiliations
As part of the mission to provide the highest possible level of service—along with confidentiality and a modern, innovative, ethical approach to client engagement—this Austin accounting firm is a member of two professional organizations.
Each of these prestigious affiliations expand the resources and enhance the professional standards of these CPAs in Austin:
- The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- AICPA
Comprehensive Approach
Salley & Clements clearly outlines the approach taken with each client engagement. This approach includes the following principles:
An “In-Your-Shoes” Attitude
The team puts themselves in the shoes of their client and asks what they would want if they were in that client’s present position.
A Focus on Timeliness
Timeliness is essential. Rather than scrambling to meet deadlines at the last minute, the accountants and administrative team at Salley & Clements make sure they’re always well ahead of deadlines, without prompting from clients.
Advocacy for Clients
At Salley & Clements, clients are assured their team will act as their personal representative whether that’s with the IRS or any other organization.
Providing Peace of Mind
Peace of mind means that these Austin CPAs don’t simply fill out forms—instead, they truly each client to provide a sense of comfort and security.
Client phone calls and communication are welcome as accessibility is a central tenant of their approach.
QuickBooks Tips
With an eye toward technology and its importance in modern accounting, one of the specialized service areas offered by Salley & Clements involves working with QuickBooks.
Whether a business is in the start-up phase and is starting from scratch, or is established and looking for a new way to handle their accounting and bookkeeping, a team member from Salley & Clements can help them seamlessly implement the use of QuickBooks.
On the website of this top Austin, TX, accountant, users will also find guides, shortcuts, and accuracy tips for using QuickBooks.
Tax Center
Salley & Clements has created an intensive tax center, available on their website. Here you’ll find a wide variety of tools, calculators, and guides.
Some of the features available in the tax center include:
- Federal and state refund tracking
- A record retention guide
- 1040 tax estimator
- Important tax due dates
- Tax forms and publications
- State tax forms
- Marginal tax rates guide
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Scalco Johnson Leahy & Dudek, CPAs PLLC Review
Scalco Johnson Leahy & Dudek is an Austin CPA firm offering an array of tax, accounting, and consulting services.
This Austin accounting firm has been helping clients in the area since 1994, and central to service provision is a family-like atmosphere, as well as personalized, one-on-one attention.
SJL&D serves clients across many diverse industries, and they specialize in federal and state tax guidance for businesses and individuals.
Key Factors Considered When Ranking This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin CPA
The following are details of why Scalco Johnson Leahy & Dudek was included in this ranking of the top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
Strategic Plan
This locally owned and operated Austin accountant adheres to a strategic plan for each and every client. Components of this plan include:
Mission
As one of the top Austin CPAs, SJL&D strives to develop meaningful relationships with their clients while enabling them to meet their financial goals.
Vision
This notable Austin CPA firm maintains a unique, dynamic working environment to allow employees to grow and better serve their clients.
Business
SJL&D employes trusted advisors who bring proven success and dynamic problem-solving methods to each and every client.
Services for Individuals
Uniquely, as one of the top CPA firms in Austin, TX, SJL&D also offers service to individuals so that you can centralize all of your financial needs with one firm.
This team of professional Austin CPAs can help individual clients achieve the following goals:
- Saving enough for retirement
- Accurately estimating how much money will be needed to pay for their children’s education
- Planning for unforeseen emergency situations and making sure enough money is saved to protect your family
- Meeting investment objectives
- Planning to maximize the value of your estate through tax savings and other tactics
Guides
In an effort to truly create a partnership that empowers clients, SJLD has put together in-depth guides to a variety of financial issues facing both businesses and individuals.
Some of their many guide topics include:
- Tax Planning for Small Businesses
- 7 Biggest Misconceptions Business Owners Have About Their Returns
- 7 Ways to Save Even More Income Taxes
- Turn Your Vacation into a Tax Deduction
- The Home Office Deduction
- Retirement Plan Options for Small Business
- The SIMPLE Plan: A Retirement Plan for the Really Small Business
Interpersonal Skills
When SJL&D is hiring new Austin CPAs and administrative professionals, they look for something that sets them apart: communication and interpersonal skills.
Their employees are highly skilled in many areas of accounting, taxes, and finances, but the fact that they’re also engaging and interpersonal helps them build stronger, more valuable relationships with the client.
The development of long-term relationships is extremely important to the lasting success of Scalco Johnson Leahy & Dudek as one of the top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
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Sweeten CPA Review
Sweeten CPA is a small, personal Austin CPA firm that has built a strong area reputation from their one-on-one attention to clients.
The motto of this Austin CPA firm is “Sweeten CPA: Accounting Doesn’t Have to Be a Sour Experience,” and all firm members work together to deliver high-quality service through their innovative approach to financial solutions and client relationships.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin CPA
In the list below are details of why Sweeten CPA was chosen as one of 2017’s top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
Fresh Approach to Accounting
Often when clients think of accounting, they think of something that’s dry, complicated, and unenjoyable.
While Sweeten CPA maintains the highest level of professionalism in their service approach, they also strive to work differently and create bonds and relationships with their clients that make it enjoyable.
These Austing CPAs seek out innovative financial and accounting solutions for clients and deliver them in a way that’s friendly and personal.
Order and Clarity
The mission statement at Sweeten CPA is to bring order and clarity to the financial lives of their clients.
As one of the top Austin accounting firms, Sweeten CPA includes the following values in their mission statement:
- Order: Sweeten’s team partners with clients to help them create simplified, streamlined bookkeeping and financial systems that are timely and easy to maintain.
- Clarity: Rather than only filling out paperwork or meeting tax deadlines, this top Austin CPA firm makes sure their clients enjoy analysis and insight that paves the way for them to plan for taxes, growth, and stability.
- Lives: The team strives to treat each client with respect and kindness, as well as an individual with specific, unique needs.
Female Leadership
This group of professional Austin CPAs is predominantly female. Michele Sweeten, CPA, founded the firm on her own in 2002, and since then she has grown it to include 16 CPAs, accountants, and bookkeepers.
She now has more than 400 individual and small business clients, and she’s a member of Business Networking International and the Westlake Chamber of Commerce.
Services
Uniquely, the service offerings provided by Sweeten are broken up into pricing categories, including “Very Small Return,” “Small Return,” “Medium Return,” and “Large Return.”
In addition, there are hourly services for businesses, like QuickBooks consulting, bookkeeping, and CPA analysis. These are priced depending on who you work with and what your needs are.
The services are very clearly broken down into understandable categories, as is the billing, so you don’t have to worry about there being uncertainty in how you’re billed as a client of Sweeten.
Threadgill, Ryan and Associates, P.C. Review
As a leading firm of Austin CPAs, Threadgill, Ryan and Associates is a local firm created in 1984, operating with the goal of helping clients remain financially viable.
The firm was founded by University of Texas at Austin graduate Marcia Threadgill, who is now retired. It currently operates under the leadership of shareholders Janet C. Ryan, CPA, CFP, and Cassandra T. Anderson, CPA.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin CPA
Highlighted in the detailed list below are a few of the reasons Threadgill, Ryan and Associates was selected as one of 2017’s top accounting firms in Austin, TX.
Proactivity
When helping clients with their taxes and financial issues, often the best approach is one that’s proactive, and that’s central to service delivery from Threadgill, Ryan and Associates.
They strive to offer guidance, insight, and solutions that are dynamic in nature through analysis of client needs as well as in-depth research.
This proactive approach allows these Austin CPAs to offer clients sound present guidance while also helping them to plan for a prosperous future.
Spanish-Speaking Staff
Along with having a leadership team headed by female shareholders and CPAs, this Austin CPA firm also employs Jose M. Vela, who is fluent in Spanish.
He is licensed by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as a Certified Public Accountant, and he has more than 14 years of tax experience.
Bilingual staff members allow this Austin CPA firm to broaden their client base and increase communication skills while continuing to provide high-quality accounting and tax services.
Services
As one of the very well-respected accounting firms in Austin, TX, Threadgill, Ryan and Associates offers expertise and specialization across a wide selection of services and caters to both individuals and businesses in many industries.
Services offered by this top Austin CPA firms include:
- Tax management
- Financial & retirement planning
- QuickBooks set-up & guidance
- Bookkeeping
- Financial projects & forecasts
- Estate & trust planning & tax service
- IRS representation
- Entity selection
- Business restructuring
- Cash flow
- Budgeting analysis
Online Resources
While working with Threadgill, Ryan and Associates means you’ll receive comprehensive and personalized attention in each service area, they also understand how busy the lives of their clients can be, so they also offer online resources.
This independently owned and operated firm of Austin CPAs offers an online file transfer tool so you can securely exchange documents with your financial professional, as well as online financial guides.
Other online tools include tax tips and rates, due dates, financial calculators, and easy access to necessary IRS forms.
Related: Best Accounting Firms in San Antonio, TX | Ranking | Top San Antonio Accountants
W. Hamilton & Co., PLLC Review
This full-service firm of accountants and business consultants works with business owners, executives, and individuals.
Located in Austin, W. Hamilton & Co. is an intimate firm of Austin accountants, bringing to the table professionalism, responsiveness, and quality.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Firm as a Top 2017 Austin CPA
Highlighted in the list below are some factors that stand out and set W. Hamilton apart as one of 2017’s top Austin CPAs.
Individual Services
While many of the top CPA firms in Austin offer business services, W. Hamilton also offers specialized services for individuals.
This allows clients to combine business and personal finances by using one top-quality firm.
W. Hamilton’s individual services include:
- Wealth management: Operating under its own entity called Hamilton Wealth Management, clients can improve their financial management and take advantage of available resources.
- Estate planning: This falls under the umbrella of Hamilton Wealth Management as well, helping clients preserve and protect their wealth for their family.
- Eldercare: Eldercare services are designed to help older adults manage their finances and business duties.
Tax Problems and Complexities
While many accounting firms in Austin offer general tax services, W. Hamilton offers specialized services geared toward people facing very complex issues or problems with their taxes.
Some of these services include:
- IRS representation
- Non-filed tax returns
- Back taxes owed
- Payroll tax problems
- IRS liens and levies
- IRS wage garnishment and seizures
- Offers in Compromise
- IRS payment plan
- Bankruptcy
- Innocent Spouse Relief
QuickBooks Services
Having the best in technology is essential in today’s modern accounting world, and W. Hamilton features a full slate of QuickBooks services with that concept in mind.
Not only can the team help you understand why QuickBooks would be beneficial to your organization, but they can also help you save money when you purchase the program.
Their QuickBooks services include setup and training, as well as troubleshooting and tune-up guidance.
Performance-Driven Business Approach
The key with any business-driven accounting or financial approach is to make sure its focus is on helping that business perform at a peak level.
With that in mind, these Austin CPAs offer a lineup of business services meant to improve efficiency, keep organizations compliant, and boost revenue and profits.
Business services provided by William & Co. include:
- Compilations
- Internal controls
- Non-profit tax services
- Strategic business planning
- Part-time CFO services
- New business formation
- Succession planning
- Small business accounting
- Cash flow management
- Bank financing
- Payroll
Conclusion—Top Accounting Firms in Austin, TX
As a business owner or an individual, there are few things more important in your life than your finances.
Your financial standing and strategy determine everything from spending to the strength of your business, making it important to partner with the top Austin CPAs.
The above ranking of the top accounting firms in Austin, TX, represents some of the best and brightest accounting firms in Austin, along with reasons why they were selected for this ranking.
These Austin accountants have diverse employees, hold prestigious affiliations and certifications, and are independently owned and operated. They’ve created strong reputations in the local community, and they work to cultivate strong bonds and relationships with their clients.
Our hope is that this ranking serves as a useful guide as you begin the process of selecting a CPA in Austin.
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