*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.*
S, 3079 Harrison Ave Office C
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
Tara and her team were incredible to work with. She made the loan process simple and streamlined. Any questions we had were answered promptly and thoroughly and she was so on top of locking in interest rates at just the right time to help us save. Thanks, Tara!
Tara was responsive, knowledgeable, helpful and professional. She kept us updated and in the loop along the way as things changed and moved forward. She is very approachable and easy to work with and made the loan process not so hard or scary. I would definitely recommend working with Tara as a loan officer and would do so again.
Tara is a true professional. She spent a lot of time with our client explaining the entire loan process so that he was confident and ready to go when it was time to write an offer. Tara?s communication was wonderful throughout the entire process. She kept the transaction right on track and is a pleasure to work with.
Tara was absolutely wonderful to work with! She was friendly and quickly responsive to a variety of questions, willing to re-work numbers and scenarios multiple times over, researched a variety of options to help meet financial goals, constantly kept in touch, and best of all - this review is being written from our new home!
Tara is the epitome of professionalism! She was highly recommended to us by my real estate agent and was touted to be 'the best'! They were not wrong. Her prompt replies to my questions, thorough assistance with the application preparation, and diligent follow through on all outstanding items (things I needed to do!) made a tedious process feel relatively easy. I will be recommending Tara to anyone I know shopping for a home loan.
Tara is a rockstar - trustworthy, caring, and skilled in her job. She is a clear communicator and was able to match the market with competitive rates when all was said and done. Would recommend to anyone looking for a loan.
I had the best experience working with Tara on my loan. This is the 4th property that I've purchased and hands down the best experience I've had working with any lender previously, and I had a few great ones prior. I'm thrilled with both the loan products that Guild offered me. Tara made the process just awesome overall. I will be using it again, and referring some close friends. I'm so happy my realtor recommended I connect with her, even though I already had another lender in mind for this property. Tha
We recently had the pleasure to work with Tara... From start to finish, Tara guided us through the process and made the transaction feel effortless! Her knowledge of the business and the work she provided are un matched! I cannot say enough great things about our experience with her. Do not think twice about working with Tara and Guild!
Tara was fantastic! Once our relator connected us with her, we were approved within 24 hours. Tara made the whole process of purchasing our second home seamless and enjoyable. She kept us informed along the way and even called us to provide verbal updates which was nice. Tara was also very knowledgeable and quick to respond to all of our questions. Because of how smooth the process went, we were able to close early! We highly recommend Tara and Guild Mortgage and hope to use them again in the future.
Tara did an amazing job and was so easy to work with. She did a great job keeping us updated throughout the entire process and went out of her way to be available to us and answer our never ending questions (as first time home buyers, we had a lot). She was eager and helpful in helping us find homes in our price range and working with our finances to get us the very best that we could afford. She got us a great rate and was able to keep it even with a painfully long escrow (which had nothing to do with Guil
I absolutely could not be happier with my entire transaction with Tara! She was incredibly efficient and timely in all of our correspondence, and was honest and forthcoming about the timing and any delays, which was very helpful. I knew she was absolutely on top of everything as much as possible so I could feel confident that I didn't need to bug her about any of it. Tara is also very sweet and truly cares about people and their lives and making their experience the best! I also felt like the process of upl
My husband and I worked with Tara on the purchase of our first home. Tara was knowledgeable throughout the process and helped us to advocate for the best options. Tara is intelligent and trustworthy. I knew we were in good hands!! Thank you Tara!
If you want to be confident in your decision to refinance or to take the leap into a new purchase then there is no better firm than Dignified Home Loans. I worked with Tara Offenbacher and she was wonderful. I had heard that refinancing my mortgage was wise but I know very little about what any of that means. Tara walked me through every step and even replied to my relentless emails full of questions throughout the transaction. The responsiveness continued even after we closed as Tara wanted to ensure I was
Tara was great and very helpful. Made the home buying process painless.
Tara and her team were on top of their game! I have had two loans prior this one and I can say that this was the best team that I have worked with. Thanks Tara for caring so much about this experience, and being so thoughtful throughout the process. I appreciate you and your team. Cheers!
We had a great experience with our recent home refinance. Our Loan Officer Tara Offenbacher made it such an efficient, no-hassle and enjoyable process. She checked in with us frequently about how the steps of the loan were going and what to expect. We have and will continue to recommend Tara to our friends, family and co-workers. Thank you!
Tara has wonderful communication throughout the transaction. She keeps everyone connected and informed.
After bouncing around to many sub-par or downright dishonest mortgage lenders, I've finally found a "Home" with Tara. She has been beyond patient, sweet and understanding in the face of a complexity of issues and personalities pertaining to my family's file. I cannot recommend her enough. This type of integrity and professionalism is few and far between in any industry, let alone this one in this market. THANK YOU TARA. You are our family's saving grace, we won't be using anyone else.
It was wonderful to work with Tara. We needed to get a pre-approval going as soon as possible and she was able to make it happen quickly. Being a business owner, I was dreading the lengthy paperwork but she made the process go smoothly and painless. She was very responsive to our questions and needs.
Tara came very highly recommended. She helped us out tremendously throughout the whole process. She took her time to explain things and help us out with any questions. Tara was great to work with.
Tara and the Guild company have been amazing to work with. They are friendly, diligent and basically walk you through the best process. Tara also worked diligently to find the rate that made the most sense. Pleasure to work with and recommend highly!
Tara Offenbacher was amazing and extremely helpful right out of the gate. She took the time to help me with my credit long before applying for a loan. She is extremely knowledgeable and was very helpful in explaining all the steps along the way. She happened to be on vacation when we made the offer on our home was engaged the whole time. We live in an area where not to many locals can afford a house and she worked tirelessly on making sure we can stay in our hometown. I can't thank her enough for what
Tara was excellent to work with when we needed a home re-fi loan! She was very patient and explained every detail when needed. She is also very thorough and prompt in her communications!
Tara Offenbacher, aka Tara Aweseombacher, was super easy to work with for my re-fi. She communicated frequently and clearly about what was needed from me , which was a lot given the uniqueness of my deal. She made an otherwise arduous process absolutely enjoyable! I highly recommend her -- best mortgage banker in Tahoe by far!!
this was my first house purchase and tara made the entire process easy to understand, efficient and stress-free. i do not hesitate to recommend tara for your mortgage!
Our refinance experience with Dignified Home Loans was very organized, efficient and timely. The security of collecting our documents electronically was appreciated and comforting. Our Loan Officer Tara Offenbacher, was exceptionally helpful in explaining all the steps and keeping us on track towards our goal. I would highly recommend Tara and Dignified Home Loans for your mortgage lending needs.
Tara made this entire experience so seamless. She kept me updated every step of the way. For anyone interested in financing or refinancing their home, I'd highly recommend her!
Tara is detail oriented, completed the refinance quickly and the rates were amazing. I highly recommend Tara for any of loan means.
Couldnt recommend a better loan officer. Tara is clear in communication, quick to respond and was a delight to work with in what can be an arduous process. Highly recommend!
Tara was amazing. She helped me get an amazing rate and was wonderful to work with throughout the process. Everything closed on time and went smoothly. I highly recommend working with here and Dignified Home Loans
Wonderful experience refinancing with Tara and the team at Guild Mortgage. They addressed all of our concerns and made the process so easy. Thank you!
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.