*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.*
4590 MacArthur Blvd 5th Floor
Newport Beach, California 92660
Samantha's assistance in creating a usable, practical budget to use as well as helping us develop more thorough plans for paying off debt and planning for the future was invaluable. She's kind and personable, but also extremely professional and clearly knows her stuff. She's even doing quarterly check ins with us to see how our plan is going and help us stay on track. I look forward to continuing to work with Samantha and Essential Trust to continue managing our finances and ensure the future will be one in
Such a wonderful experience with Essential Trust Financial!! I worked directly with Samantha, the company owner, and her honesty, professionalism, friendliness, and overall willingness to go above and beyond to help me made stood out right away. She took the time to understand my needs while putting together a strategy that catered to those needs. Samantha was a pleasure to work with and made the process simple and effective. She was very candid and understood exactly what I had to get done. Her financial
When I first met with Samantha, the owner of Essential Trust Financial, I was immediately put at ease. Samantha is honest, professional, caring, friendly, and helpful. She took the time to listen to me and understand my needs and then put together a financial strategy that was tailored specifically for me. Samantha was a pleasure to work with and made the process simple and effective. And most importantly she was very honest, and straightforward with me. She is clearly very knowledgeable and her and her te
Sam is excellent. Informative, communicative, and detail oriented. She was able to help us fill the gap with our knowledge on life insurance and we are going to utilize her for financial management in the new year as well.
Samantha and her team were absolutely amazing! I really needed a financial advisor that I can trust. I've interviewed many advisors. Samantha really took the time to answer all of my questions and educate me. She is very honest, friendly, knowledgeable and professional. She has integrity and goes above and beyond for her clients. She educated me on all of the options I needed to know and help advise/guide me in the right direction. I highly recommend Essential Trust Financial for all of your financial need
As a Small Business owner. Was looking for a financial advisor to plan a safe, secure and sustainable retirement plan to support my family and referred to Samantha owner of Essential Trust Financial by a friend who got his retirement plan with her. After 3 sessions of online virtual meeting going through my business and family financial requirements, she put all information together and provided 2 different strategies based on the level of risk we wanted to take. Then we together, narrowed down the plans an
Finding the right financial planner was crucial for me as a husband, business executive, and father, but I was fortunate to meet Samantha, the founder of Essential Trust Financial. She is an exceptional planner who surpassed our expectations. She and her team have a comprehensive approach and empathetic nature which immediately put us at ease. My wife and I found they paid attention to detail as they crafted a solid college funding plan, ensuring our children's education is secure. They also designed a r
I really enjoyed working with Samantha. Her and her team were very professional and very detail oriented. The process was very easy to understand and I felt like she took the time to really understand my concerns and goals. She help me put in a plan in place to save for my retirement and now have the peace of mind I am protected against any unplanned life event. Highly recommend Samantha, she is a woman of integrity and is very knowledgeable!
As a millennial we are constantly hearing about saving for retirement. I always thought it would be too early at my age to start. I have a 401k established through my employer and thought I would reach out to Samantha for a review of my account. I was blown away when she educated me on how money works and where my money currently sits and how I can efficiently save more for retirement , keeping taxes in mind. We set up an investment to complement my 401k and I feel so happy I've started saving early. Sam
Essential Trust Financial company is the best for all your financial planning needs that you can Trust, specifically for business owners. Samantha and her team are very knowledgeable, honest professionals, friendly, caring, and helpful. Samantha, spent time to educate and explain different options and products to financially protect my business and family. First, she took time to understand my needs and then provided a unique strategy that was tailored for me. She explained everything to make the process v
Highly reccomend! Samantha the founder of Essential Trust Financial sat down with me personally and was very thorough with her financial plan for me. She took the time to properly educate me on how taxes work and how my money is taxed. She explained what financial vehicles would be an asset for me and my company. I felt very comfortable and trusted Samantha throughout the entire process.
My folks are a bit older and needed to get set up with some sort of life insurance. Not the easiest task and past experiences had left my them skeptical of many financial professionals. I needed someone I knew would help them, someone I knew would act in their best interest. I met Samantha from Essential Trust some time before and I knew she was the right person to help. She worked hard to get them set up with the right solutions. She guided them through the process and treated them with the kind of respect
Working with Samantha (founder of Essential Trust Financial) was such a wonderful experience. I 10/10 recommend her to all of my friends and family. She is very competent in her field and takes the time necessary to educate her clients first and foremost which I truly appreciated. She was so patient with me and my crazy schedule since I travel alot and took the time necessary to gain the best sense of what my unique needs were and developed a financial strategy that was unique to me. We were able to discuss
Samantha, owner of Essential Trust Financial, was amazing in helping me to reach my financial goals. She was very knowledgeable and understanding when it came to my personal financial situation. I have already recommended her to my friends and family in which she will be able to help them obtain their financial goals as she did for me.
As a new business owner I was in need of a strategy to help minimize my taxes but also plan for my future. Samantha and her team took great care of me by walking me through the process and keeping me updated step by step. I feel at peace knowing I have a split plan and a team I communicate with frequwntly to ensure I am on track.
After working with Samantha I can honestly say I finally feel secure with my future finance goals. Sam not only took the time to fully educate me on the different possibilities and choices I could make. She made me feel comfortable and feel like I have a new sense of control in my life. I feel safe and protected knowing the hard money I have earned is now being set up to protect me and my family. Thank you Sam!!
Samantha Dalby is a gift to us all and provides end to end value with her fiduciary and consulting services! She has helped my family get organized, maximize returns and this provides tremendous peace of mind. She is a joy to work with??
She works hard uncover what is truly meaningful to me. She create a strategy to meet my long term financial goals. First Samantha ask probing questions to better understand my views on money ?? and life before creating a plan I highly recommend her if u looking for trustworthiness and leading edge advice with strong communication ability
I got a late start to planning for retirement and was concerned it may have been too late. Samantha helped me navigate through some very safe but impactful options that have laid a great pathway towards my retirement. She is also very responsive and answers calls and emails promptly. Highly recommended!
Highly recommend Samantha for financial services/planning. She's a certified financial planner. Above all, she goes above and beyond to provide bespoke service.
Not a one product fits all. She is very informed of many different products that fit different people at different times in their lives. With a true understanding of what's is needed to fit your goals. And she followed through to make sure I was completely satisfied. Highly recommend her and her products.
Samantha is very knowledgeable, professional and goes above and beyond. She truly cares.
amazing service samantha very friendly. I recommend it
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.