*Note: CPAs may specialize in different areas. Be sure to check credentials and service offerings.*
If this is your first time working with a CPA, don’t worry — most professionals offer a free consultation and will walk you through what to expect. You may be asked to complete an intake form, share financial documents, or set clear goals for your session.
*Note: Every CPA operates a bit differently. Don’t hesitate to ask questions before committing.*
*Tip: Organize your documents in advance to save time and ensure accuracy.*
*Note: Preparation helps you make the most of your CPA’s expertise.*
*Note: Every CPA is different — take time to find one who fits your goals and style.*
26917 W Hemlock Rd
Channahon, Illinois 60410
Phil was wonderful to work with. He was extremely helpful and efficient in the whole process. He also answered all of my questions before i even needed to ask them. Couldn?t recommend him and his team more!
Phil has handled both my company?s and personal taxes for a few years, and while he is very knowledgeable and professional, it was time to move on. Although he is accurate and thorough with yearly returns, I felt his service lacked true tax planning advice. Additionally, I received an invoice every time I asked a question. If you're simply looking to have your annual returns completed, Phil is a solid choice.
100% RECOMMEND! Phil is outstanding. We had an issue with our small business taxes from a different accountant and contacted Phil and he immediately went into action, reviewed our taxes, identified the issues, talked with us frequently to ensure the information was accurate along the way. He turned this around over the weekend! We are so grateful and so impressed with his dedication and knowledge. Such a pleasure to work with him. If I could give him 10 stars I would. We will be repeat customers forever! Th
Phil, has really gone above and beyond and continues to do so. My husbands previous CPA left his taxes in a mess and within a week Phil cleaned everything up and submitted all the documents to IRS on time. My husband has a S-corp and Phil also does all his payroll and taxes. Personally my experience with Phil he does all my taxes including overseas properties in Australia. He is very honest, knowledgeable and always responds promptly to all emails. It?s really hard to find a good accountant who is professio
We work with Phil at Crest CPAs and Consultants when filing our taxes. He made the experience very easy and their process is efficient. Phil would always respond within the hour even if it was an evening or a weekend. I would highly recommend his services for your next tax need!
I highly recommend Phil and Crest CPAs & Consultants. After a couple years of trying to manage my small business taxes on my own, it became clear I needed to lean on a professional. In just minutes after sending my first email I had a quick phone consultation with Phil. He immediately got straight to work by answering all my questions and advising me on a tax/business strategy for the future. Since our first consultation he has always been extremely prompt and pays very close attention to detail. I loo
Crest CPAs has proven to be incredibly professional and trustworthy. Phil responds quickly and thoroughly to questions that help me make the best decisions possible, and has been an invaluable resource for general accounting support and tax preparation services. Highly recommend.
Upon our move to Channahon I searched for a tax specialist who could help me with our family's complicated returns. After reading reviews for several area tax providers, I texted Phil with several questions which he provided prompt detailed answers. He's smart, professional, efficient, and most of all, his communication skills are outstanding. I would definitely recommend Crest CPAs & Consultants, Ltd. for CPA and tax services. Five stars for sure!
Phil and Crest CPA?s came to me as a recommendation from a family member who raved of the service. I live outside the state of Illinois (Florida) and I needed help with my personal taxes due to the wild year that was 2020. Any question I posed, Phil would usually respond within the hour. I had tried to calculate what my tax bill would be on my own and after Phil finished, I paid over $2,300 LESS than I anticipated. I?m grateful for Phil?s attention to detail and will be using Phil for my personal taxes
Phil is an amazing CPA! He addressed all my concerns and taught me some things. He had great communication and completed everything faster than I expected. I will definitely use him again! If your looking for a great CPA you should use Crest CPAs.
If I could give Phil and Crest CPAs & Consultants, Ltd. more than 5 stars on here, I definitely would! He's been such a blessing to me and my company. I was referred by my sister, who spoke very highly of him and the way he does business. I needed to get some tax work done in a time crunch and Phil did not hesitate to jump right in and get it done. Phil totally went above and beyond my expectations. He is very responsive, professional and truly an expert in the matter. I highly recommend Phil and his b
Phil has been a life saver. Top notch knowledge in Accounting and Quickbooks, He is very professional and personable. Phil has been such a great help to me. Very prompt in helping me with any questions and always has a solution. I highly recommend Phil and Crest CPAs & Consultants, Ltd..
Phil was a tremendous help! He is knowledgeable, responsive, and timely. I can?t thank him enough for helping me out. I will definitely be back every year!
Phil is a lifesaver! Last year, we started a small business and went through two accountants before we found Phil. He is excellent at explaining things, guiding us, and saving us probably thousands of dollars. He is knowledgeable, quick to respond to our many questions, with rates that are very, very fair. Can't recommend him enough!
Phil was incredibly prompt, helpful and professional. I personally used him for his tax services. He walked me through step by step on some things I needed clarification on to make the process run smoothly. This was also all done by convenience of email and e-documents which expedited the process. Highly recommended for any accounting services you may require.
I had to amend my Taxes. Needed done asap so my son could file his Taxes. Spoke to Phil on Saturday. Gave him my info right away he had paperwork done on Sunday. Quick with his responses and getting form done. Would highly recommend Crest CPA And consultants.
All within 1st year of starting a new business, we changed business models, changed direction of intricate project tracking, changed many taxable and non taxable items, and we changed to a more advanced quickbooks platform. Needless to say, our business was structurally in need of some major help to organize, files taxes, and learn extensive reporting and mapping through multiple software's. Phil and Crest CPA's & Consultants, Ltd. delivered grand slam excellent service throughout the entire process! All o
Beyond professional, thorough, always has the client in mind and the turnaround was extremely prompt once Phil had all the necessary paperwork from me! I highly recommend Crest CPAs to all my friends and family and to you!
I very much appreciate the level of detail and accuracy Phil has provided with Crest CPA services. He has helped me clarify and optimize my business accounting. Thank you, Phil!
I?ve used Phill last year and plan on doing it again this year! He?s easy to work with, very responsive and working with him was definitely my best filing experience yet! Highly recommend.
We've used Phil the past 2 years and he helped straighten out a mess. He is fast, efficient, and very easy to work with. Our go-to guy from here on out!
Very professional and saved me thousands of dollars after redoing multiple years of taxes that were done incorrectly. He is fast efficient and his system is great. Highly Highly recommend
Crest CPA's were kind enough to take me on as a client, knowing that I was few year's behind on filing's. they were patient with me on locating, and uploading all of my paperwork, and answered all of my questions in a very timely manner.
Always very helpful and quick to respond to questions and needs. Highly recommend.
Phil was extremely easy to work with and quick to respond. By far my easiest tax filing experience. A +
I worked with Phil and we are very impressed. Really happy with his service and takes his time to answer all our questions. We will be going back.
Thank you for all help in doing my taxes. I was referred over by my mother and she was very happy with your follow up, communication and expertise in filing the taxes for her business. ~Nel
Awesome experience. Very prompt and excellent communication throughout the entire experience. Highly recommend Crest CPSs!! K Lopez
I could not ask for a better service from Phil Mc Lawhorn. Fast. accurate and can always get him on the phone with any little question
Always informative and accurate information given out. Has solved every problem I have ever had
Always professional and timely. Easy to work with without all the hype and 'incentives'.
Very helpful and extremely detailed.
Look for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, which ensures they’ve passed rigorous exams and meet state requirements. Check for relevant experience in your industry, additional certifications like CFA or CMA, and membership in professional organizations like the AICPA. Verify their credentials through state licensing boards.
Use online directories like the AICPA, CPAverify, or state CPA societies. Search platforms like Yelp or Google for local CPAs with reviews. Ask for referrals from business associates, friends, or financial advisors. Local chambers of commerce can also provide recommendations.
A CPA is a licensed professional who has passed the CPA exam and met state requirements for education and experience. An accountant may lack this certification and could have varying levels of expertise. For complex tasks like tax audits or financial reporting, a CPA is typically more qualified.
Ask about their experience with your specific financial needs, such as tax preparation, small business accounting, or estate planning. Review their website or LinkedIn for case studies or client testimonials. Inquire about their client base to ensure they handle similar financial situations.
Yes, reviews provide insight into a CPA’s reliability, communication, and performance. Check platforms like Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau for client feedback. Look for patterns in reviews, but verify their authenticity, as some may be biased or outdated.
Visit your state’s Board of Accountancy website or use CPAverify.org to check a CPA’s license status. Confirm their license is active and check for any disciplinary actions or complaints. This ensures they’re in good standing and meet professional standards.
Ask about their experience with your financial needs, fee structure, availability, and communication style. Inquire how they handle tax filings, audits, or financial planning. Ask for references or examples of similar work to assess their expertise and fit.
Fees vary based on location, services, and complexity. Basic tax preparation may cost $150-$500, while business accounting or audits can range from $1,000 to $10,000+. Request a detailed fee structure upfront and compare quotes from multiple CPAs.
Yes, many CPAs offer remote services through secure online platforms for document sharing and virtual consultations. Ensure they use encrypted tools for data security. Remote CPAs can be effective if they understand your local tax laws or business regulations.
During consultations, evaluate their ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly. Ask sample questions about taxes or financial strategies and note their responsiveness and clarity. Good communication ensures you understand their advice and fosters a productive relationship.
Beware of CPAs who guarantee specific tax refunds, lack a valid license, or have disciplinary actions on record. Avoid those with poor communication, vague fee structures, or negative reviews highlighting unethical behavior. Always verify their credentials independently.
Large firms offer more resources and specialized teams but may charge higher fees. Solo practitioners often provide personalized service and lower costs but may have limited availability. Choose based on your needs, budget, and preference for personalized attention.
For individuals, annual meetings for tax preparation may suffice. Businesses may need quarterly or monthly check-ins for bookkeeping, tax planning, or financial reporting. Discuss your needs upfront to establish a meeting schedule that aligns with your financial goals.
Yes, many CPAs handle both, but confirm their expertise in both areas. Ask about their experience managing personal taxes and business accounting simultaneously. Ensure they can balance both without compromising attention to your specific financial needs.
Discuss concerns directly with your CPA to resolve issues. If unresolved, check your contract for termination terms. Seek a new CPA by researching reviews, credentials, and referrals. Request your financial records to ensure a smooth transition to a new professional.