*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.*
1101 Fifth Ave
San Rafael, California 94901
Working in the retirement plan industry has provided me with the opportunity to cross paths with several financial advisors, and I can safely say that Trevor and his team at FFG are by far the best I've ever worked with. Their availability, intelligence, and willingness to help my wife and I navigate financial decisions, even prior to becoming official clients, is something that is unique to this industry. In addition, every professional they have recommended, from trust attorneys to life insurance agents,
Review of Fiduciary Financial Group My husband Dennis and I (Carol) have had the pleasure of working with Fiduciary Financial Group both before and after our retirement, and we couldn?t be more pleased with the financial planning services we?ve received. From the very beginning, their team took the time to truly understand our financial goals and priorities. They guided us through the transition into retirement with professionalism, care, and a clear strategy that gave us peace of mind. Their advice was a
I can't say enough about the relief we feel knowing that we have Trevor and Tom taking care of our assets. We have been wanting help with our "estate" for a long time. We're getting older, we have kids and grand kids, are looking to retire soon, and never knew where to look for guidance into the next chapter. I feel so lucky to have found Trevor, Tom and Jacquie at Fiduciary Financial. They are experienced, passionate, knowledgeable, and approachable. They really know their business. No question is too triv
From the first time I called this financial group, the experience was seamless. I?ve spoken to a few others in the past, but felt like I couldn?t really trust anyone. Trevor helped me with everything I needed, offering honest, informative, and valuable advice. His professionalism and clear communication made the entire process easy and stress-free. Highly recommend!
Honest, transparent and always available to answer questions or address concerns. But most importantly, they are very good listeners and patient with their client's needs. It's an often overlooked and ignored quality of financial advisors. Truly understanding the clients' needs and customizing their financial models to provide a realistic picture - is their strong suit. Their quarterly newsletter is full of valuable information and foresight. They are also very willing and engaging to work with your other f
I'm so glad to have FFG in my corner, especially in these insane times, at such a critical time in my life. Trev is awesome! It's absolutely sine qua non to have CFPs like Trev running and maintaining my portfolio. I marvel at what he what he does. No way would I trust myself to run the show. Retirement is here for me. Time to sail off into the sunset, FFG, keep me on course!!
Fiduciary Financial Group offers an invaluable service. From the very beginning, working with them has been incredibly easy and convenient. They have a large team of knowledgeable professionals who always have the resources and information needed to address any questions or concerns. What sets Fiduciary Financial Group apart is their proactive approach. They consistently reach out to perform account reviews, ensuring that my financial plans are always up-to-date and aligned with my goals. Their assistance
Working with Fiduciary Financial Group has been a phenomenal experience! My husband and I have full confidence in Trevor, Ben and the team. Their attention to detail, professionalism and support have blown us away. I really appreciate them taking the time to understand our goals to make the best recommendations and support our family for the long term.
Good experience in reorganizing and adjusting portfolio regarding changing conditions and life adjustments. FFG shows genuine concern for clients as well as professionalism and knowledge in explaining details.?
FFG have been fantastic to work with. Trevor & team have had a thoughtful, considerate approach to driving our portfolio forward. They have strong relationships, are data driven, and have advised to our outlook / desires. They?ve also been very helpful in supporting our tax needs, providing guidance and suggestions. Reasonable fee structure, really good people, and great practice.
I've been a client at FFG for several years, and I've been consistently impressed with the quality of their services and financial guidance. Trevor, my advisor, is fantastic at understanding my goals, both short and long-term. Whenever I've had questions, Trevor and team have been quick to respond and offer assistance. Trevor's expertise in investments is evident, and his kindness and thoughtfulness only enhance the experience. I wholeheartedly recommend FFG to anyone in need of sound financial advice.
I got in on the ground floor with Fiduciary Financial Group in 2016 when I was referred to Richard Davey and subsequently, Trevor Scotto by my former financial advisor, and I have never looked back. It is one thing to possess all the necessary education and post-name initials that qualify you to do a job. But it is rare to find a high level of expertise that those degrees confer combined with character, honesty, professionalism, and integrity. Richard and Trevor are ?hands on? and worked hard to understand
I have been working with FFG and in particular, Trevor Scotto, for a number of years and can honestly say, they are the best. I worked with several financial advisors in the past and continued to be frustrated with their inability to work with a investor who made it clear that their investment portfolio was as much about socially and environmentally focused choices as it was maximizing profits. Not only do I have conversations with Trevor and the FFG team on a regular basis, I know I can reach out to the
After thoroughly researching and interviewing several wealth management companies, we chose to work with Fiduciary Financial Group and have been extremely happy with their handling of our investment funds. We have also been incredibly impressed with their personalized and customized service. Our investments are actively managed, and we are regularly updated on the market and how our portfolio is doing. FFG also works closely with our tax advisor to ensure continuity. The FFG team is extremely knowledgeable
Fiduciary Financial Group has been a game-changer for my investments, especially my Roth IRA. As a high net worth investor, I appreciate their fiduciary focus, meaning they're legally bound to prioritize my needs. They don't push products for commissions, and their fees are transparent. Their team's experience goes beyond investments, considering my entire financial picture, including taxes and estate planning. This holistic approach gives me a cohesive strategy for long-term growth. If you're looking fo
Retirement planning was a major concern for me until I started working with Trevor and FFG. His approach is very comprehensive while also covering tax planning and a focus on preserving my hard-earned savings. Trevor displayed a deep understanding of the conservative financial strategies I preferred. He is always available when I call and he reaches out to me proactively multiple times a year, which I greatly appreciate. I highly recommend Trevor and his team to anyone seeking financial guidance for thei
Trevor and his team at FFG have been extremely helpful in working with my family to manage our finances over the past year. In our introductory conversation, we set goals of what we would like to accomplish moving forward together and then discussed the fee structure in a transparent way. There was no pressure or pushiness to rush into a contractual agreement and (unlike other firms) their compensation isn't reliant on selling you specific financial products. Trevor has a broad knowledge base and has helpe
Fiduciary Financial Group has been a real help and a trusted partner for us. Trevor walked us through various options for our situation and once we settled on a plan FFG helped with all the paper work making for a very smooth process. We have regular check-ins which prove very educational for me. Highly Recommend.
As a young business owner, I was advised by my accountant to seek out financial planning services. I interviewed with a number of firms and am so happy that I found FFG and Trevor. FFG has been nothing but attentive, professional, and trustworthy throughout the process. It doesn't hurt that Trevor is also a CPA! I love that I get highly personalized advice and everyone on the team is exceptionally helpful. As I have worked with Trevor, he has been extremely responsive to any questions I might have and I be
Extremely trustworthy, and professional firm. My family and I are lucky to have FFG to not only help secure our financial future, but they are always happy to help with any tax, estate, or retirement questions I have. They have a lot of knowledge and expertise, and always keep your best interest in mind. Highly recommend Trevor Scotto and his team of knowledgeable advisors.
My husband?s death at the beginning of COVID was devastating and I needed advice, both short and long term. I will always be grateful that Trevor had been recommended to me. I was impressed from the beginning not only with his financial expertise, but with his patience and understanding in educating me about my situation and my options. He has taken the time to learn about my family, my goals, and my comfort level surrounding money issues. I can sleep at night because I know that he is part of a team th
FFG has been an excellent partner in helping us understand our finances and plan for the future. In particular for equity-based compensation (RSUs, options, etc.), their guidance has been clear on how to manage everything from offers, to selling, to tax strategies. Very responsive and catered to our specific needs, especially when planning different future scenarios for family planning, retirement, and risk management.
I have been a client with Fiduciary Financial Group for a few years now. They have been great communicators and proactive in their approaches. When I have requested documents, they are quick to turn them around for me. There have been times when I have asked for the above and beyond service and without hesitation, they have come through for me. I would recommend contacting them for any of your financial planning needs.
Trevor Scotto and the group at Fiduciary Financial have been amazing financial advisors and tax preparers. They are trustworthy and take time to listen and help with all your financial planning needs. Couldn?t recommend them more!
Our relationship with FFG began in late 2020 as Shelly approached retirement. We interviewed a number of financial firms?both big and boutique?and quickly realized that we wanted to work with a smaller firm that would be a partner in our retirement journey. We spoke with Trevor at FFG during that interview process. When we asked Trevor why he chose his career path, he shared that his father had suffered financially during the 2008 downturn and he wanted to prevent other retirees from experiencing that stres
I hardly know where to start with this review. Honestly, I?d give Trevor and the whole team at FFG 10 stars out of 5. Last year, I went through a divorce, and for the first time in 30 years, I had to learn to manage my own money, something my husband had always taken care of. I quickly realized what a mistake i had made in not keeping my knowledge in the financial arena up to date. As I tried to navigate my way through bank accounts, the stock market, IRA?s and pensions, one thing became quite clear: I wa
I've been working with FFG for years for taxes and this year moved into financial management and planning. They've done an awesome job of helping me plan a big life decision and making me feel financially prepared. We did budgeting to understand my spend, and then ran projections to see how my decision would affect me in the near term, medium term, and retirement. They advise me on employment stock plan strategy and individual investment strategy outside of the funds they manage. They are extremely responsi
I starting working with Trevor Scotto for my financial, tax, and investment planning a while back and was blown away by his approach! Right from the start, it was clear he truly listened to me. I?ve always felt heard and understood. He takes the time to understand my financial goals, worries, and what I value most in life. His ability to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms is very helpful. I'm truly grateful for Trevor and his team?s guidance and would recommend him to anyone looking for pro
As we have recently retired we needed to find a financial advisor. We have been very happy with our choice. Not only have they provided financial services but they also provided tax services. Always responsive.
The FFG team are such great advisors and partners to work with from everything to asset management to estate and tax planning. I've been with them for years and the level of service is beyond what any other firm has ever provided to me. Highly recommend FFG.
Trevor Scotto is a very proficient financial planner and is well versed in all aspects of planning and investing in the various financial markets in our turbulent times. The firm does its best in preserving my investments and in building them for the future.
I have been referring my estate planning clients to Trevor Scotto of Fiduciary Financial Group for a couple of years now. I was so pleased with the feedback I received from my clients, that my wife and I also engaged Trevor to manage our assets and guide us through sound financial planning. He and his team are simply the best in the business. I trust Trevor implicitly and sleep better at night knowing that he is managing our accumulated wealth.
I've worked with FFG since they started. I used to run a large stock portfolio management company that sold software to financial advisors. This means I met a LOT of them. I stay with FFG because many advisors will tell you how they will outperform the market. These guys know it's REALLY hard to massively outperform the market but VERY easy to underperform the market in down economies. They are focused on right sizing investments to risk appetite, and for me personally I have done pretty well vs the market
I started working with team a couple of months ago and it has been so nice to have a trusted team paying attention to the financial performance of my portfolio. They have answered all of my questions and provided detailed insights for what to do next. I would absolutely recommend working with this team!
Trevor Scotto is the only financial planner I trust to send my friends, family and clients to. Having the CPA background really gives him the edge on other CFPs because he understands taxes and other accounting concepts. He's excellent at explaining and simplifying complex subjects so that his clients can truly understand their financial picture. Trevor is one of those people who truly enjoys learning and as a result Fiduciary Financial group will always be a cutting edge firm.
Yesterday Trevor Scotto spoke to us about what happens when life events leave a spouse in charge of investments and managing assets. There's an understanding of the gravity of the situation the spouse in in, but often they don't know what to do or where to turn. And all they want to do is feel safe about money decisions. If you ever find yourself in this situation, Trevor will listen. And sometimes that's what we need. Someone to listen. Thank you Trevor.
Love working with these guys. I've left comment here before, but now in 2024, FFG are still the people I share with my friends and family as THE people to work with. That's the highest form of compliment that I can give.
Take the guesswork and headache out of taxes and make things easy! Pairing them with your investment strategy allows you to be in a prime position every year. They really care about your success and care about you and your family?s future.
These guys go above and beyond for me and my family, they've gotten me better returns than i'd hoped for, provided genuine transparency on anything we need clarification on, and done so promptly and kindly- they even sent me a brownie on my birthday. You want this level of trust.
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.