2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP SAN FRANCISCO ACCOUNTING FIRMS
Exploring the Top Accounting Firms in San Francisco, California
San Francisco is one of the most dynamic, cutting-edge, and innovative business environments in the world.
San Francisco and the Bay Area are progressive hubs of technology and development, and this region is home to some of the most visible and successful companies in software, general technology, and social media.
San Francisco is also a center of high-end real estate and philanthropy, and it’s where many startups go to flourish.
It’s for all these reasons and many more that finding the best accounting firms in San Francisco is so important.
Every business, regardless of size or industry, needs to be able to find CPA firms in San Francisco that understand their needs and can help them grow as part of one of the most exciting business communities on the planet.
The following ranking of top San Francisco CPA firms represents some of the very best in the city and in the entire Bay Area.
Our list comprises San Francisco CPA firms with a reputation for excellence and extensive experience allowing them to cater to the tax, auditing, financial, and general accounting needs of the many businesses calling this area home.
Award Emblem: Top 12 Best Accounting Firms in San Francisco, California
AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 12 Best Accounting Firms in San Francisco, California
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the firm names below to go directly to the detailed review for that accounting firm).
- Boas & Boas
- Burr Pilger Mayer
- DZH Phillips
- Frank Rimerman + Co
- Harrington Group
- Hemming Morse LLP
- Hood & Strong LLP
- Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce LLP
- Miller Kaplan Arase LLP
- OUM & Co. LLP
- Seiler LLP
- Shea Labagh Dobberstein
Top 12 Best Accounting Firms in San Francisco, California | Brief Comparison & Ranking
| Firm | Highlighted Features |
| Boas & Boas | Comprehensive tax planning & preparation services |
| Burr Pilger Mayer (BPM) | Strong set of core company values |
| DZH Phillips | Focus on empowering women within the accounting field |
| Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP | Commitment to quality & professional affiliations |
| Harrington Group | Sole focus on providing nonprofit accounting services |
| Hemming Morse, LLP | Specialized focus on forensic accounting services |
| Hood & Strong LLP | Employee diversity & retention |
| Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce LLP (LvHJ) | Nationally recognized expertise in Affordable Housing & Real Estate |
| Miller Kaplan Arase, LLP (MKA) | Wide variety of accounting & financial services |
| OUM & Co. | Robust technical knowledge & expertise |
| Seiler LLP | Industry-leading resources for financial education |
| Shea Labagh Dobberstein | Expertise with employee benefit plans |
Table: Top 12 Best San Francisco Accounting Firms | Above list is sorted alphabetically
AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Accounting Firms in San Francisco, CA
Below, please find a detailed review of each firm on our list of best San Francisco accounting firms. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these accounting firms in San Francisco to score so high in our selection ranking.
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Boas & Boas Review
Established in 1938, Boas & Boas has built a long reputation as a leading San Francisco CPA firm because of its dedication to respecting clients, a traditional business approach, and its highly experienced professional staff.
Boas & Boas focuses services in the areas of auditing, accounting, tax services, and management advisory services. Both the firm’s partners and staff have often been involved with business valuations, working across many industries.
Key Factors That Enabled This Firm to Rank as a Top 2017 San Francisco CPA
Compiled below are some of the unique elements of Boas & Boas that led to its ranking as one of the top 12 accounting firms in San Francisco.
Staff Experience
As a reputable accountant in San Francisco, Boas & Boas maintains a highly experienced, knowledgeable staff that sets it apart from many other firms.
The firm is staffed by three partners, as well as seven additional accounting professionals, with experience ranging from 4 to over 50 years.
While each professional on the Boas & Boas team offers expertise in a specific area, the firm maintains an emphasis on collaboration to ensure each client receives the highest level of service.
Peer Review
Boas & Boas has completed five independent peer reviews assessing its auditing and accounting practices. The review program ensures this accountant in San Francisco upholds the highest quality control standards in its service delivery.
Peer reviews have recently been completed by Benson & Neff, CPAs. Reviewers determined Boas & Boas as having a reliable quality control system and adhering to thorough professional standards, based on a sample of accounting and auditing engagements.
Tax Services
One of the client service areas where Boas & Boas focuses on is tax planning and preparation, offered to both individual and business clients.
This CPA firm in San Francisco can provide thorough tax consulting and preparation to everyone from one person to a multi-level partnership.
Its approach to tax services is one defined as being proactive as opposed to reactive. The result is the ability to identify key opportunities during planning, reducing both current and potential future liabilities.
Resources and Research
This CPA in San Francisco places a high level of importance and value on constantly improving its knowledge and expertise while remaining on top of changes in laws and regulations.
To ensure it is always up to date, this accountant in San Francisco maintains an accounting and tax library.
Boas & Boas’s computer system is networked with national computer tax, finance, and accounting research systems, as well as equipped with both tax and accounting software programs which are used on both a diagnostic and consulting basis.
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Burr Pilger Mayer Review
Burr Pilger Mayer (BPM) is a modern and cutting-edge San Francisco accountant delivering comprehensive counseling in the realms of finance and business.
BPM is one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in California, and it serves the needs of not only emerging and mid-cap businesses but also high-net-worth individuals.
BPM has been one of the top CPA firms in San Francisco for since 1986, working with public companies in Silicon Valley and across the US.
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Key Factors That Led Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 San Francisco CPA Firm
Below are factors weighing into the decision to rank Burr Pilger Mayer as one of the 2017 top accounting firms in San Francisco, CA.
Values
Client goals and objectives are at the forefront of everything this leader among San Francisco CPA firms does.
As part of listening to client needs and becoming a true partner, rather than only offering basic, standard accounting solutions, BPM uses core values to guide every aspect of service.
These values include:
- Community: Meeting responsibilities to the entire community.
- Respect: Valuing each other, every client, and the work it does.
- Integrity: Working with fairness, accuracy, honoring commitments, and doing the right thing.
- Creativity: Taking initiative, using imagination, and original thinking.
- Knowledge: Keeping a high level of expertise to serve the diverse needs of their clients.
- Excellence: Striving for excellence at every opportunity.
- Teamwork: Working together to create value, both within and across the business.
- Success: Achieving profits and constantly growing to meet objectives.
Global Reach
There aren’t geographic boundaries to what’s provided at this San Francisco CPA firm. It has offices in Hong Kong and Grand Cayman, as well as extensive experience doing tax and audit work in Europe.
It can support clients in any area of the world thanks to its International Tax team, which is one of the largest on the West Coast.
The firm also deals with very complex global issues for corporations and multinational families. Some of these services include international tax and international assurance services.
With their Hong Kong office, BPM also has over 30 staff members who are fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.
Leading Edge Alliance
As a top accounting firm in San Francisco, BPM is a member of the Leading Edge Alliance, which is an international network of select and reputable independent accounting firms.
Through membership in Leading Edge, BPM can expand its global reach and resources even further.
Working with Leading Edge allows the team members at BPM to tap into extensive resources to deliver the very best in targeted service to each and every client.
As part of the Leading Edge Alliance, BPM is also required to adhere to rigid standards and professional requirements, and associates must undergo regular peer review inspections.
Women of BPM
As an innovative accounting firm in San Francisco, there is a general focus on the people and culture that’s so important here, and one component of that is the Women of BPM program.
This CPA firm in San Francisco is deeply committed to supporting the growth of women within the accounting field, launching series of training and development workshops to promote a workplace culture where women have the opportunity for long-term success.
This commitment to boosting workplace diversity is easily seen in their staffing: a full 24% of BPM’s partners are female.
Additionally, 55% of managers and directors are women, and 31% of the women professionals have been with BPM for five years or more.
As a result, this San Francisco accounting firm has industry recognition, including being listed as one of the Best Public Accounting Firms for Women by AWSCPA.
DZH Phillips Review
DZH Phillips is a top San Francisco accountant, tax specialist, and advisement firm. The firm maintains offices in not only San Francisco but throughout the Bay Area, including locations in Oakland, San Rafael, and Burlingame.
DZH Phillips offers a full array of accounting and auditing services to meet the needs of businesses as well as nonprofits, families, and individuals.
Core offerings from this accounting firm in San Francisco include tax services, assurance and advisory, litigation support, forensic accounting, wealth management, and outsourced accounting.
Key Factors That Enabled This Firm to Rank as a Top 2017 Accounting Firm in San Francisco, CA
Represented below are factors that led to the inclusion of DZH Phillips as one of the top 2017 San Francisco accounting firms.
Female Leadership
DZH Phillips holds the distinction of being one of the largest majority women-owned advisory and accounting firms in the Bay Area.
Recently, this San Francisco CPA firm was recognized as the 33rd Largest Women-Owned business in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times.
More than 60% of the 110 employees are women at DZH Phillips, and 7 of the 9 partners at this CPA in San Francisco are female.
CPAmerica Affiliation
DZH Phillips is a member of CPAmerica, a prestigious association of independently-owned and managed accounting and consulting firms.
With the CPAmerica membership, DZH Phillips can access premier resources that improve its quality of service delivered to clients.
It receives in-depth expertise and information from top CPA professionals around the world, and it can also gain international insight that can be imperative to servicing global clients.
Core Values
Core values drive every area of service provided to clients to ensure that not only is professionalism always offered at the highest level but also that each engagement creates value.
The core values which drive these CPAs in San Francisco are:
- Opportunity: Taking calculated risks and exploring unique opportunities to achieve personal and professional growth.
- Trust: A strong business environment includes integrity, good faith, and fairness.
- Respect: It’s important to respect others’ time, talents, and commitments.
- Balance: Unique personal and professional needs of each unique individual.
- Sustainability/Responsibility: Focus on positively impacting and sustaining the firm, clients, and community.
- Passion: Dedication to making a difference with passion and commitment.
Specialized Industries
To provide impeccable service, DZH Phillips specializes in working with a few specific industries.
This allows their CPAs in San Francisco to delve into each distinctive client engagement with an eye toward the unique elements of that industry.
Industries served include:
- Consumer goods
- Financial services
- Non-profit organizations
- Professional service firms
- Real estate
- Construction & engineering
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Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP Review
As one of the leading accounting firms in San Francisco, Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP works largely with some of the most innovative companies and clients in Silicon Valley.
This firm is one of the largest locally-owned accounting and consulting service providers in Northern California, and it has been part of the community for over 65 years.
The goal at Frank, Rimerman + Co. is to deliver passionate, enthusiastic services, and since the founding of this top accounting firm in San Francisco in 1949, it has grown to include four offices in Northern California.
Key Factors That Allowed This Firm to Rank as a Top 2017 San Francisco CPA Firm
When narrowing down the top San Francisco accounting firms, below are some of the factors leading to the inclusion of Frank, Rimerman + Co. as one of 2017’s top 12 accounting firms in San Francisco.
Commitment to Quality
Everything at Frank, Rimerman + Co. is driven by a dedication to creating client services that are timely, accurate, and personalized.
The firm also maintains a sense of practicality, comprehensiveness, and reliability, all with the best interest of the clients at the forefront of service.
Some of the other elements of quality that are part of service provision include accessibility and prompt responsiveness to client questions and interactions, as well as valuing input from clients and the larger business community.
This quality is bolstered by participation in independent accounting firm reviews every three years, conducted by peer firms.
Partner Participation
An accounting firm is only as strong as its professional staff, which is why the partners at this CPA in San Francisco work to take a hands-on role in the development and growth of each associate.
Its goal is to develop associates into the partners and managers of the future, and employees are offered engaging and challenging opportunities that allow them to become the best at what they do.
Frank, Rimerman + Co. also offers extensive internal training and development programs so that team members, who are an essential component of the success of this accounting firm in San Francisco, can exceed the standards of the accounting profession.
Community Commitment
As one of the leading CPA firms in San Francisco, Frank, Rimerman + Co. maintains a strong presence in the community and strives to give back to the city in which it works.
Some of the ways the firm is involved in the local community include the sponsorship of professional events and scholarship endowments for the account departments of local universities.
Also, many of the firm’s partners and managers serve on boards for local foundations as well as professional organizations.
International Network
Frank, Rimerman + Co. is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, which is a network of 126 independent accounting and business service firms.
These companies are located in 147 countries, which means the team at this firm can offer personalized and localized service as well as access global resources.
Participation in this elite network lets Frank, Rimerman + Co. offer clients innovative and proven strategies across all industries and service areas.
Harrington Group Review
Leading accounting firms in San Francisco, Harrington Group is a certified public accounting and consulting firm that maintains offices in Los Angeles. Services include auditing, accounting, management consulting, and tax services.
The Harrington Group was founded over 15 years ago by Joseph Harrington, and now includes partners Job M. Quesada, Sean E. Cain, Tonnetta L. Conner, and Carlos Davis.
Key Factors That Enabled Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 San Francisco CPA Firm
When narrowing down the list of San Francisco accounting firms, the following represents criteria used in the selection of Harrington Group as one of the 2017’s top accounting firms in San Francisco.
Nonprofit Specialization
Harrington Group is unique because it focuses its accounting and advisory services exclusively on the needs of nonprofit organizations.
It offers extensive knowledge in areas crucial to nonprofit financial success and accounting, including government funding, strategic analysis, and nonprofit organizational structures.
It also has robust knowledge in government funding at the federal, state, and local level, and it can provide clients with knowledge regarding the complex situations that go with recording planned giving instruments commonly received by nonprofits.
Types of Clients
As part of the focus on nonprofit clients, Harrington Group has a great deal of experience working with the following types of clients and organizations:
- Mental health clinics
- Legal services corporations
- Legal aid organizations
- Residential treatment centers
- Non-public schools
- Community-based organizations
- Child development centers
- Work training programs
- Economic development groups
Client Training
The objective at Harrington Group is to help members of the nonprofit community, including its boards of directors, learn from valuable resources and insights regarding its financial and accounting issues.
As a result, the Harrington Group offers training sessions for boards of directors with information and guidance on topics relevant to the groups that are in charge of nonprofit governments.
Past topics at these training symposiums have included strategic planning, budgeting, and how to understand nonprofit financial statements.
Team Expertise
As a leading accounting firm in San Francisco, one of the greatest strengths of the Harrington Group is its people.
Its professionals work to remain informed on even the newest developments for nonprofits, which is how it can create innovative financial and accounting solutions for clients.
These CPAs in San Francisco become strategic partners for each client, creating relationships built on respect and trust. Many of the professionals from the Harrington Group are speakers at various conferences and seminars because they are so knowledgeable in the specific area of nonprofit accounting.
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Hemming Morse, LLP Review
Hemming Morse is a certified public accountant firm as well as forensic and financial consultants.
Along with being a top tax accountant in San Francisco, Hemming Morse also maintains offices in Walnut Creek, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, San Mateo, Fresno, Irvine, and Chico.
This CPA in San Francisco was founded in 1958 and has more than 100 employees working across all of its offices. It handles everything from complicated, high-profile cases to local engagements.
Key Factors Leading Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 San Francisco CPA Firm
Listed below is a brief representation of factors leading to the inclusion of Hemming Morse as one of 2017’s top 12 CPA firms in San Francisco.
Personalized Service
Expertise and personalized attention drive all services provided by this accounting firm in San Francisco. The service areas where Hemming Morse focuses include:
Forensic Consulting
The forensic consulting team works on business-critical topics, including accounting, valuation, and economics. The forensic services are applicable in courtrooms and boardrooms alike.
Financial Consulting
The goal of the financial consulting team from Hemming Morse is to offer relevant insight and advisement to solve complex business challenges throughout its organization’s life cycle.
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
There are staff members at Hemming Morse dedicated exclusively to employee benefit plan audits, and they are divided into two subgroups. One group focuses on financial auditing and the other focuses on compliance auditing.
Professional Memberships
The team members at Hemming Morse are members of prestigious professional organizations, and many also often teach courses and write expert content in their area of expertise.
Associates and partners at Hemming Morse maintain leadership roles and affiliations with organizations like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of CPAs, the Fair Value Forum, and the San Francisco Valuation Roundtable.
International Access
This notable San Francisco CPA offers the ability to serve the needs of diverse global clients.
As part of that offering, it is active members of The International Accounting Group, a global network of CPAs operating along with TAGLaw, which is similarly an alliance of top worldwide law firms.
Thanks to this affiliation, Hemming Morse can remain involved with the other member organizations to keep it ahead of not just the accounting industry in general but also global regulations and guidelines.
The organizations have more than 250 member firms, with locations in almost 100 countries, giving Hemming Morse a substantial global reach.
Forensic Accounting Services
As a San Francisco CPA and consulting firm offering very specialized services, clients of Hemming Morse can turn to the company for assistance in every area of even the most complex of forensic accounting issues.
Some of the subcategories of forensic accounting services offered by Hemming Morse include:
- Business valuation
- Complex economic damages
- Construction disputes
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Forensic accounting investigations
- Intellectual property disputes
- Labor & employment
- White collar crime investigations
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Hood & Strong LLP Review
Hood & Strong LLP is an accounting firm in San Francisco delivering tax, audit, and business advisory services tailored to the needs of a variety of clients, including businesses across many industries, individuals, nonprofits, and startups.
Founded in 1917, Hood & Strong is one of the oldest and largest public accounting firms in Northern California.
The firm has offices in both San Francisco and San Jose, and 13 partners lead 100 dynamic, talented professionals that comprise this reputable, independent firm.
Key Factors That Enabled This Firm to Rank as One of the Top 2017 San Francisco CPA Firms
When selecting companies to include on this ranking of the best CPA firms in San Francisco, the following were criteria used to select Hood & Strong as one of 2017’s top 12 San Francisco accounting firms.
Client Partnerships
Essential to the approach to client engagements at Hood & Strong is a dedication to cultivating and fostering a partnership with each client.
The method relies on taking a look from the inside out and spending time with the staff and board of a client’s company to ensure mutual goals are clearly defined and understood by all stakeholders.
The goal of client partnerships is also to make sure there is a sense of value creation and productivity, but also enjoyment.
Commitments
To set itself apart from other accounting firms in San Francisco, Hood & Strong outlines the following commitments it makes to each client:
- Working with Hood & Strong will be done in a way that helps clients achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
- Service is exemplary and based on a combination of experience and in-depth knowledge.
- Proactive communication will ensure clients are always knowledgeable of any and all relevant issues.
- There is a focus on remaining on time and on budget with each interaction and client engagement.
- The relationships with clients and associates from Hood & Strong are viewed as a partnership based on trust and transparent, open, honest communication.
McGladrey Alliance
Hood & Strong is one of the CPA firms in San Francisco that’s part of the prestigious RSM US Alliance, which is an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms.
The McGladrey Alliance lets Hood & Strong offer the resources of a national firm, yet it maintains its personalized, local approach.
Benefits of being part of this elite professional organization include access to technical tools, comprehensive expertise, and resources that can be used to improve practice management.
Employee Diversity
Hood & Strong maintains a diverse group of employees who can each bring to the table something unique and distinctive.
As part of its commitment to diversity, it prohibits discrimination of any type, and women and minorities make up more than 60% of their total employee base, as well as over 50% of their partners.
Hood & Strong has employed many of these team members for more than 30 years, and it put in place initiatives to ensure employees are developed and advanced in their careers.
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Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce Review
A public accounting firm in San Francisco, Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce LLP (LvHJ), offers specialized industry services to clients throughout California.
The firm was created in 1935 and has provided technical expertise and service since that time.
For over 80 years, LvHJ has been serving the needs of diverse clients, and it has built a reputation of cultivating strong, long-term relationships with clients while also delivering service that’s timely and remains on budget.
LvHJ works with individuals, families, and closely-held businesses.
Key Factors That Led Us to Rank This Firm as a Top 2017 Accounting Firm in San Francisco
In the list below are a few of the many reasons LvHJ was selected for this ranking as one of 2017’s top 12 accounting firms in San Francisco.
Mission and Values
Every service area and client engagement at this CPA in San Francisco is driven by a set of clearly defined values as well as a mission statement.
These are a significant component of the success enjoyed by LvHJ and its clients for more than eight decades.
The mission statement of this accounting firm in San Francisco is aimed at providing top-level assurance, tax, and business advisory services that exceed client expectations and create growth and enhance the lives and careers of employees.
Their values include the following:
- Constant learning and improvement so that employees continually grow.
- Rather than looking at short-term gains, this San Francisco accountant firm offers the best long-term solutions.
- Collaboration and teamwork are crucial.
- The team at LvHJ will do whatever it takes to serve the best interest of clients.
- Every action is taken with an eye toward integrity through adherence to codes of conduct, focus on regulations, and upholding of ethical standards.
BKR International
As an independent member of BKR International, LvHJ has access to more than 160 independent member firms, with a presence in more than 80 countries around the world.
result of this affiliation is the ability to offer internationally-driven service, without sacrificing personalization or the one-on-one experience clients have come to expect from one of the leading San Francisco accounting firms.
Resources and contacts available through BKR can help in a range of service areas, including business valuation, forensic accounting and litigation support, business and strategic planning, and operational review and analysis as well as referrals to attorneys, bankers, and other high-level professionals.
Affordable Housing and Real Estate
LvHJ is one of the CPA firms in San Francisco that’s incredibly specialized in its offerings.
This specialization in affordable housing and real estate has allowed the firm to become a leader in audits, tax, and compliance within the industry of affordable housing.
The team at LvHJ is so experienced in this area that veteran partners and management team members travel around to provide training on the issues surrounding affordable housing accounting.
Clients within this area of service include for-profit and not-for-profit developers, LIHTCH limited partnerships, property management companies, resident service providers, and HUD properties.
Professional Development
Since an accounting firm is only as strong as its people, LvHJ puts a great deal of time and effort into the development of its employees.
This ensures it’s at the top of its professional expertise in the accounting industry as well as within its area of specialization.
Along with mentorships, LvHJ offers employees firm-wide training programs to develop technical skills and stay ahead of industry trends and changes in regulation, and it also encourages its entire staff to take the Uniform CPA examination and hold a valid CPA license for the state of California.
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Miller Kaplan Arase LLPC Review
Since 1941, Miller Kaplan Arase has been a leader among accounting firms in San Francisco.
This San Francisco CPA firm offers accounting, auditing, business management, tax, and advisory services to businesses as well as tax-exempt entities and individuals.
It works with startups, mid-market, closely-held companies, and Fortune 500 companies, and has offices not only in California, but also Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington.
Key Factors Considered When Ranking This Firm as a Top 2017 Accounting Firm in San Francisco
Listed below are highlights of Miller Kaplan Arase, leading to its ranking as one of the 2017 top 12 accounting firms in San Francisco.
Accolades and Recognition
Miller Kaplan is a high-profile accounting firm in San Francisco, and throughout its many years in business, the firm has received extensive accolades, awards, and recognition.
Recently, Miller Kaplan was named one of the top 100 accounting firms in the United States by Accounting Today.
Miller Kaplan was also named as a top 10 accounting firm by the LA Business Journal and received top ratings by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal as one of the
“Top 25 CPAs and Trusted Advisors.”
Community Leadership and Philanthropy
Essential to the success of Miller Kaplan Arase is a dedication to being a contributing part of the community in which it works.
Many of the partners of the firm are leaders in nonprofits and various religious organizations, and associates often volunteer.
Some of the philanthropic groups this accounting firm in San Francisco is associated with include:
- Habitat for Humanity
- St. Baldrick’s Foundation
- Toys for Tots
Varied Services
While partners, associates, and staff members are specialists in the area in which they work, this large CPA firm is also able to deliver a wide variety of services across categories of assurance, tax, licensing and royalties, business management, and consulting/advisory.
Some of these services include:
- Audits
- Agreed-upon procedures
- Employee benefit plans
- Tax planning
- Gifts and trusts
- Licensing and royalty audits
- Patent pool administration
- Accounting
- Financial planning
- Investment administration
- Employer compliance reporting
- Strategic business planning
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Litigation support
Technology Clients
San Francisco is known as an area where technology companies and startups are primary drivers of the economy.
With that in mind, Miller Kaplan has staff members dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of both new and established technology companies.
Technology sectors served by Miller Kaplan include hardware, software, SaaS, applications, security, semiconductors, data and memory storage, audio and video, electronics, and media and advertising.
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OUM & Co. LLP Review
A San Francisco accountant and business advisement firm, OUM & Co. helps clients unlock financial and accounting insights and strategies that let them grow their companies and improve their revenue.
OUM was founded in 1976, based on the philosophy of building lifelong client relationships.
OUM is not only one of the leading CPA firms in San Francisco but also has a significant presence in San Ramon and the San Diego area.
The company employs more than 80 professional staff members, and many of the employees holding leadership roles at the firm were, at one point, partners and managers at Big 4 accounting and financial firms.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Firm as a Top 2017 Accounting Firm in San Francisco
Highlighted below are unique elements of OUM leading to its selection as one of 2017’s top accounting firms in San Francisco.
Oversight
As a leading CPA firm in San Francisco, OUM is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and has been since its founding.
The PCAOB looks at the assurance work of the firm on a regular basis at least every three years.
Additionally, since OUM currently calls 13 publically traded companies its clients, the AICPA also looks at its assurance paperwork.
This accounting firm in San Francisco has consistently received unqualified opinions, meaning it’s operating in adherence to all regulatory specifications and quality control standards, with opinions issued without qualification.
Philosophy
With an eye toward long-term relationship building, each client engagement entered into by this CPA in San Francisco is guided by a set of defined principles that collectively create its business philosophy.
Their philosophy includes the following components:
- Respect and recognition: Mutual respect is promoted across all levels, and all team members are appreciated and rewarded.
- Trust: Trust is cultivated every day and is central to all relationships. Communication is open and authentic and based on an approach of collaboration.
- Success: High standards are set and achieved throughout the organization, and everything is pursued with confidence, determination, and optimism.
- Quality: Even the most challenging of accounting situations can be solved with a dedication to quality.
- Community: Succeeding as a firm is more important than independent success at OUM.
Business Lifecycle
Along with robust technical knowledge and expertise, the approach undertaken at OUM is also focused on the individual business phase a client is in.
Every company goes through changes in the business life cycle, and it’s important that an accountant understands this phase to offer the best planning and insight.
This is very important at OUM, and it understands everything from the simplest to the most complex issues that will face a business at any given stage of the cycle.
For example, at stage one, guidance may include choosing a tax structure and personal finance planning.
In stage four, the final step of the business lifecycle may include services such as compensation planning, legacy planning, exit strategies, and risk management and internal controls.
Seiler LLP Review
With a history spanning more than 50 years, Seiler LLP is a leading tax accountant in San Francisco.
This top San Francisco CPA firm works with high-net-worth individuals, families, closely-held businesses, and nonprofits. Clients include community leaders, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families.
Seiler was founded in 1957, and currently has offices in the Silicon Valley area and San Francisco.
It works with clients not only in the Bay Area but also throughout the US and the world, with industries range from advertising and PR to wineries and utilities.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Firm as a Top 2017 Accounting Firm in San Francisco
Represented below are factors leading to the selection of Seiler as one of 2017’s top 12 accounting firms in San Francisco.
HLB International
Seiler is a member of HLB International, a global network of independent accounting and professional services firms.
HLB International has member firms worldwide, and, through this affiliation, Seiler is able to bring international expertise and access to unparalleled resources to solve even the most complicated accounting challenges.
HLB membership offers the Seiler team excellent access to 19,000 participating staff and 2,100 partners from offices in almost 130 countries.
Integrated Approach
The integrated approach maintained by this accounting firm in San Francisco is one of the many elements that make it a standout.
This holistic approach is designed to benefit clients who have diverse revenues, assets, and philanthropic interests. The approach creates valuable, customized solutions.
These services will take into account everything from family structure to individual goals, and this approach is key to helping clients solve even the most complex of financial issues.
Thought Leadership
Seiler is respected as a top accountant in San Francisco because they aren’t just technical service providers–they are thought leaders in the industry.
Its team of accounting professionals creates a variety of articles on business and personal finance topics, and it offers its research, insight, and knowledge library to its clients to help drive their decision-making.
Along with articles covering current news, topics, and tax planning tools, Seiler has also compiled helpful complementary resources, such as industry whitepapers, which can be accessed by clients.
Sustainability
Seiler is an accounting firm in San Francisco that works to be socially responsible, give back to the community, and focus on sustainability.
This San Francisco CPA firm remains committed to protecting the environment, both locally and globally.
It uses operational strategies, such as paperless systems, in-office recycling, and consciousness, in the selection of work-related materials.
Both of the offices of Seiler in Redwood City and San Francisco are also set in LEED-certified buildings.
Shea Labagh Dobberstein
For over 70 years, Shea Labagh Dobberstein (SLD) has maintained a high reputation from combining the deep resources and expertise of a national firm with the personalized attention of a local San Francisco CPA.
With a staff of 14 principals and nearly 90 professionals, the accounting team at Shea Labagh Dobberstein is more than prepared to tackle any accounting challenge.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Firm as a Top 2017 Accounting Firm in San Francisco
Represented below are factors leading to the selection of Shea Labagh Dobberstein as one of 2017’s top 12 accounting firms in San Francisco.
Independent Reviews
As part of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), this CPA firm in San Francisco is subject to routine inspection and evaluation.
Less than 10% of firms across the United States have received seven consecutive “unmodified” peer reviews without comments, and SLD is a part of this prestigious group.
Receiving an “unmodified” peer review without comment from the AICPA means that SLD is adhering to strict quality control standards, providing clients with the highest quality service available within the industry.
Industry Expertise
When it comes to serving clients in the Bay area, SLD focuses on a few select industries.
This allows this accountant in San Francisco to expertly identify unique accounting challenges and solutions within each specific industry. SLD services the following industries:
- Real estate
- Distribution & wholesale
- Food & beverage
- Restaurants
- Professional services
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Logistics
- Nonprofits
Employee Benefit Plans
While SLD provides many unique accounting services, we found that their services geared towards employee benefit plans were particularly notable.
There’s no denying that 401(k) audits can be confusing, expensive, and frustrating. Each year, SLD expertly audits nearly 100 employee benefit plans using their focused benefit plan analysis.
Clients who enlist in employee benefit plans through SLD receive the following advantages:
- Technical expertise: Audits are performed by skilled, seasoned professionals.
- Cost efficiency: With low overhead, SLD provides extremely competitive pricing.
- Clear communication: SLD will directly communicate with your plan administrator to increase efficiency and decrease distraction.
- Timeliness assurance: All employee benefit audits are structured around a detailed schedule.
Conclusion – Top 12 Accounting Firms in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is an exciting city, filled with business opportunities of all sizes and within a range of industries.
It’s this evolving economic environment that makes the selection of a CPA firm in San Francisco so necessary.
The above organizations represent a valuable mix of personalized service and individualized insight, along with many years and often decades of industry experience.
These are the accounting firms in San Francisco that excel at creating close client relationships, maintaining a strong reputation, and keeping up with the changing regulations and quality control standards of an evolving industry.
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