*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.*
16720 Smokey Point Blvd Suite 3
Arlington, Washington 98223
Dave is easy to talk with and when he explains tax questions, he often writes it down for us so we can refer back to it. He's got a professional demeanor but has a friendly and casual way about him that doesn't make me anxious, like going to the dentist. I highly recommend him.
After having the same CPA for about 20 years, we were extremely nervous when it was announced that she was retiring. How could we ever find another one equally as good? Well, our first extremely good CPA wasn't about to leave her clients high and dry so she referred us to David Rumsey. We haven't been sorry. David is willing answer any questions we may have in great detail that we can understand. We are very pleased to be one of his regular clients now.
I would recommend David Ramsey to anyone who needs tax preparation. He and his staff are wonderful to work with and are very trustworthy. The best I've used over 50+ years.
David was able to help me negotiate my first year as a new business owner. Prior to tax season he was awesome and answered questions about my books.
We have worked with Dave for three years now and always appreciate his knowledge and guidance on filing our taxes. We?re a married couple filing jointly with one full time employed and the other an owner of a LLC. He always helps us navigate a situation that?s not straightforward!
David was kind enough to offer a discount on my prepared Taxs this year. Much has changed for me and he said that he would issue a refund as my Taxes got simplified this year. Thank you david
David Rumsey always takes your question if need be with respect,patience & kindness. His office women are intelligent & informative in answering any questions you have. Your in great hands with David Rumsey & staff!
My wife and I have used David Rumsey as our trusted CPA for many years and he has done an excellent job at guiding us with all our tax needs. We have a couple of LLCs businesses and other international affairs that require that our tax professional to know not only US tax laws and how they affects my family, but also how our income is affected with international tax law. My wife and I will continue to trust David Rumsey's CPA services for all of our personal and business tax advice. Carlos and Heidi
David and his staff have given excellent service and advise over the several years. I have used him for both personal and professional tax advice.
An absolute lifesaver in helping me assemble records and getting my taxes filed after my husband passed away. I look forward his help this coming year and hope to have things more organized when I bring I bring it in.
My husband and I, and extended family, are extremely happy with David's knowledge and willingness to take time to meet with us to discuss our individual accounting and financial needs. We would not go anywhere else. Thank you!
I like having my taxes done with Ramsey l wish though when he is done he would meet to go over the papers. The charges he makes l feel a second visit would be nice.
I needed advice and when I called he was able to answer my questions clearly in lay terms. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional. I was able to book an appointment quickly and when I got to his office I was greeted and checked in easily at the front desk. David was friendly and encouraging. He was able to walk me through step by step numbers I had in question and was happy to complete my taxes all in one sitting. It didn't take long at all. I came in apprehensive and left his office very relieved
Dave took care of our concerns and was very happy to have us as customers. We will continue to use his services.
David Rumsey is always positive and has helped us for several years now. I highly recommend him!
Dave is great and you won?t be disappointed in the product he offers. Knows me on a first name basis and is always willing to look into something for me. Thanks Dave and Team
The first year he did our taxes, I didn't notice a problem (note ?didn't notice?). But the second year, I had a problem with the fact that I had an early February appointment with him where I provided all the paperwork, yet as we got closer to the deadline of April 15, and I still haven't heard from him, I had to call his office to find out when our taxes would be done. He told me they'd be done soon. We picked them up on April 10. I understand that he had some medical issues, but I shouldn't have had to f
Excellent service and we were surprised when we got our refund in only 9 days after it was submitted.
Mr. Rumsey demonstrates a perfect balance of professionalism and approachable informality, creating a comfortable and attentive atmosphere. He efficiently manages my business without ever making me feel rushed. Over the years, I have submitted multiple complex forms and a diverse array of information, all of which he handles with great care and precision. He takes the time to listen thoughtfully, offering valuable suggestions when needed. I have confidence in his thoroughness and consistently trust the resu
David experience and accuracy are unmatched, we thank you for doing our taxes for the last 20 years.
David and his team always do a great job by getting us the best return for our small rural farm.
2022 was our first year working with David and team and they were incredibly helpful! We came in last minute and they were able to help us quickly even though they other workloads. David even helped guide us on a new LLC we've established and made sure we had all the info on what we needed to save and the proper way to claim some of the expenses. His office manager (so sorry I'm not recalling her name!) also offered to mail our return records to us to save us the trip to Arlington since we recently moved.
Have used Mr. Rumsey for 3 years running for tax return services. Continual poor service. Unreliable follow through. Makes excuses for negligence and lack of client support. Unnecessarily files for extensions even though materials are submitted 2 months in advance. Does not return phone calls. We do not recommend him at all.
David has been tremendously helpful in unraveling an absolute mess created by my prior accountant. He is easy to work with, understands the tax codes and makes the process of completing necessary documentation reasonable. He was even able to help my daughter sort through her tax situation as an American living overseas. I can?t recommend him highly enough.
We have worked with David Rumsey for many years now and appreciate how much he cares and the attention to detail.
I was pleased with the results of his work for our family in doing tax returns. I had a very poor tax preparer who turned in our 2021 returns without our knowledge and consent, a return which was incorrectly done. I called David, he redid our returns, turned it into the IRA and within a couple of months we received a new refund check and everything was done. He is a real pro. My only complaint, is that he is too good, in the sense that he is sometimes hard to get in contact with, even when leaving messa
Look no further. David Rumsey was very easy to work with. He completed our estate taxes with ease. When calling his office the receptionist is very nice and helpful. Glad to have him as our CPA.
David stepped in to help me deal with my personal taxes issues very quickly. He kept in touch even through personal challenges. He made me feel like a real person not just a number.
I have trusted David with my taxes since 2006. He is thorough and detailed. When he left a previous firm I had followed him specifically as he had personally handled my taxes. Customer for life. Thanks.
Always available to answer questions and provide information you need not just at tax time. Very knowledgable.
Friendly, helpful staff. I don't worry about my taxes anymore.
Our small manufacturing business seems to be a bit unique in its monthly and quarterly tax requirements. Kim Smith has taught me much as she so efficiently and patiently calculates for us and educates me along the way. I will miss Kim and look forward to working with our new CPA. Dave is invaluable and seems very knowledgeable in completing our business and personal year end income taxes. We so appreciate the extra time he puts into them for us and helps us transition into new processing procedures. Th
David Ramsey CPA took over Lisa Olander?s tax office we?re I have been doing my taxes for my painting company . I?m very happy with them. When my old cpa closed there doors David took over for us and hasn?t missed a beat. They are smart and super friendly. I would recommend them to anyone who was in need of this type of service
David and his entire staff are kind, helpful and super competent. When our former long-term CPA retired, we felt a bit adrift. Not any longer! We're so glad we made our way to David Rumsey, CPA.
It was a difficult year for everyone, and tax accountants in particular. Early retirements, few new hires available, taking over an additional business. Yikes! That said, we were pleased with David Rumsey CPA's work with us. His prices are reasonable, and the staff are responsive. I would have appreciated, however, being notified ahead of time that there would be a filing extension. The lateness of our tax refund made us have to scramble to pay our property taxes. Otherwise, I would have given a five
I am very happy with the tax preparation services provided by David Rumsey.
David Rumsey has been preparing out tax returns for many years - he is very knowledgeable and helpful. He is, by far, the best tax consultant we have ever had.
Dave has been our CPA for years and we rely on his expertise to get us through tax time. We have been very happy with his services and see no reason to look for anyone else.
Great sevice! Professional and informative. Diligent in responding to questions.
They do a great job.
David?s office is great!
David has been doing my taxes since approx 2006 he does a wonderful job and is very helpful when I have questions
Not only did we have our tax return prepared by David Rumsey, we received periodic tax information through the year. We feel better prepared for tax season.
Have used and known David for over 15 years. He is class A++ all the way. And a fine person too!
Amazing job helping my husband and I with our personal and business taxes for the past two years. Highly recommend.
Good overall experience. David was able to save us $$$$ in federal tax over previous companies.
Dave was great! He was quick to respond, very professional and took his time explaining everything to me.
He took over for my old CPA so I've only used him once but I've been into his office twice on unrelated issues and he was very helpful. I will be using him again this year.
Dav id has been our Accountant for several years. He understands what we are doing and makes sure we are compliant.
Friendly, honest, and efficient.
After taking over the practice from Lisa, David provided excellent results for us in a complicated tax year.
We?ve used David for 3 years now and we love working with him.
I had a good experience working with Dave Rumsey, would still be working with him if I lived in the area
David has done a superior job and been responsive to every need
Excellent advice, vary knowledgeable and articulated how the tax structure applies to us in great detail
Straightforward and timely.
Excellent service and communication! Thank you for all your help.
Awesome service with David and his team!
Slow, unresponsive. Caused me to file the night before the deadline.
David is a wonderful hard working account!
Great service, good prices ??
great service. thanks David.
He has had my taxes for 4 months
Very professional and easy to work with.
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.