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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.*
2920 Huntington Dr # 100
San Marino, California 91108
As a realtor, I know that having great partners is key to a smooth transaction. It has been a pleasure working with Jon Lam. He is very professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and prompt. He was on top of everything and made sure everything was done on or ahead of schedule. There was a hiccup during our transaction but Jon made sure to explain every aspect of the process thoroughly to my first-time buyer client to make them feel comfortable and at ease moving forward. Everything worked out at the end.
My wife and myself wanted to give Emory Financial especially Jon Lam a BIG thank you for helping and guiding us on the right path to purchase our first home. Our experience was awesome working with Jon. Jon and his team worked around the clock to make this happen. Jon and team fought hard for us to get our grant approved. Jon made the process a breeze . Jon is very responsive and kept us updated every step of the way and very knowledgeable and gave their 100% commitment in making our dream happen. Appreciat
Jon Lam a mortgage advisor @ Emory Financial is the most qualified person I have ever met in his business. I recently refinanced five (5) rental properties all at the same time and with his incredible knowledge (he is always up-to-date on new rules/policies) and upfront communication I was always informed on what were my next steps. Jon always made sure that I was fully informed before making any decision, so he took the time to educate me and advise me. Jon sets up his expectations and communicates the
I highly recommend Jon and Emory Financial to all my friends. When we were in the process of buying our home we initially worked with a different financing company our realtor used. Long story short, that other company was ripping us off but since it was our first time buying a home we did not know what to expect during the process or what to do. This is when a good friend of us recommended us to consult Jon before we continued working with that other mortgage company. We were in a time crunch because we ha
Jon Lam is very professional, approachable and knowledgeable Mortgage Advisor. Jon took care everything for us including notary services, explained each section thoroughly and drove to our house to finalize the refinance paperwork. Overall, we got a great interest rate. I would highly recommend Jon Lam and Emory Financial for superior refinance service a d trusted advisor.
Jon is an excellent mortgage broker. He was extremely helpful for my wife and I, as we are first time home buyers. Jon walked us through the home buying process, was very thorough before, during, and after escrow, educated us on unique characteristics for mortgages, and most importantly is honest. Jon was able to help us find the best type of mortgage and interest rate for us given our financial situation. He is extremely helpful, punctual, and great to work with! Thanks for all your help, Jon!
It is not easy to find diligent / trusted partners- but Jon Lam has proven to be just that to our family. During the mortgage refinance, rates were lower with a different lender and he recommended switching. He's great at monitoring the market and rates which resulted in us getting a better rate. He's efficient, transparent, and we highly recommend him and Emory Financial.
I recently refinanced my home, and feel lucky that I was referred to Jon (by friends who had also happily refi'd with him). He made the process easy, straightforward, and fast. He was responsive and provided transparency every step of the way, and fought endlessly to get the best outcome possible for me. I highly recommend him without hesitation - you will not regret it.
If you want a fast refi call Jon Lam. Ours took exactly one month.Jon is professional and so easy to work with. My husband and I were concerned about in person contact but Jon made almost everything happen over the internet. He even sent a mobile notary to our home. We were able to get a VERY low rate because of his diligence. We highly recommend Jon Lam !!!
Jon Lam of Emory Financial made the process of my refinancing easy from the beginning to the final signing of loan documents. I was informed of every procedure/step and Jon kept me in the loop of things to have a smooth, fast and efficient process which made his service EXCEPTIONAL, FANTASTIC AND OUTSTANDING, I will surely recommend him to anyone.
All I can see is wow. My wife and I found Jon Lam through a recommendation and we couldn't have been happier. He served as our loan officer and even went beyond the scope of a loan officer and offered help every step of the way. He was almost like a second mortgage agent to us. Jon works EXTREMELY fast. You will never have to wait on Jon for anything as he takes care of it as soon as he gets it. Between the time we got pre-approved to actually finding a house and opening escrow, the interest rate had i
Jon at Emory Financial was a godsend. I had been in the market to buy for over a year and had no luck with two previous agents. As opposed to other agents, Jon actually LISTENED To me. I had a lot of concerns and questions and he was extremely responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and most importantly, easy to work with. Thanks to Jon, I was able to purchase the home of my dreams.
Tired of those big lending companies? Jon Lam is your guy! Being first time home buyers, Jon helped us so much along the way. A million questions and scenarios were running through our heads but he readily and wholeheartedly answered them all even after office hours. Conversations would last at times more than an hour but he was very patient, detail oriented and knowledgeable in every way. The loan process was a breeze. Looking forward to working with Jon again.
A fast, easy, and transparent process! On day one Jon outlined the process and broke down what he will do and what I needed to do and it happened exactly as he said. We were in contact daily and Jon was quick to respond to my texts and emails while keeping me updated throughout the Refi process. I highly recommend Emory Financial. A truly professional and seamless experience. Thank you!
Where do I start? Was introduced to Jon at Emory Financial by my cousin. Nice guy but didn't need his service at the time because I just went to the bank to try to refinance my house. The bank could not refinance me at the rate promised. So I gave Jon a try. Glad I did!! Even got a better APR! 1) All the documents that he needed was clearly listed. Made it really simple. 2) The escrow company was in the same building. Very seamless! 3) Got email updates on the status of the loan every couple of
Jon Lam has become a big part of my family. He will always be my go to guy for mortgage. He helped us with our purchase and save us a lot of money on subsequent refinances. Low rates and a loan process that's convenient and easy.
I was referred to Jon 4 years ago by work colleagues. I called Jon and immediately got a better rate quote. Jon just completed the refi's on two properties for me. To date, Jon has done 4 refi's for me. He stays on top of things and does what he says, I highly recommend Jon.
Jon Lam was not only efficient and knowledgeable, he's a great guy and so easy to work with! His clients really seem to love him as well. I'm a Realtor in the Conejo Valley and I will definitely use him for any buyers I'm working with in the future. Thanks
We used Emory for the first time in February for our refinance, and we were very pleased! They helped make the process very easy and kept us informed every step of the way. We were also pleasantly surprised at the speed of the process. We will definitely use Emory again on our next refinance or home purchase! I would highly recommend using them!
Jon, Was extremely helpful and very transparent throughout the process. He explained everything in easily understandable language. And was consultative in his approach. We will definitely work with him in the future and have recommend him to all my friends. Smooth process.
I want to thank Jon for helping us on buying our first family home. It was such a great experience. For sure I will recommend him with all my friends and family. HE IS GREAT!!!
Top notch service. Very knowledgeable and provided a checklist of exactly what we needed to complete my refi. The process was quick and efficient. No hidden agenda like other lenders I've worked with. Emory financial has earned my trust and business for all future transactions.
Such a pleasure to work with Jon. He delivered everything as promised; it was a very easy refi. I would definitely recommend Emory Financial.
Jon was very helpful and informative. He was great in helping me and my family buy our first home. We are very thankful to have found him.
Jon is a pleasure to work with. He was very professional and on top of everything. Keeps informed every step of the way. Would recommend him 100%.
Just completed my first Refinance with Emory Financial. The experience was quick & awesome! I took advantage of the low interest rates, they made the process easy!
Awesome service by Jon and his team. They are quick and very responsive to any questions and concerns. The entire process was smooth and timely. Very pleased with his service and I highly recommend him! 10/10
I've used Emory Financial and Jon Lam for the third time. Cannot say enough good things about them, fast, straight forward and honest service. Highly recommended!
A pleasure working with Jon! He was fast, efficient and always provided updates!
Excellent lender! Responsive and knowledgeable in all forms of loans.
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.