*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.*
208 W J St
Encinitas, California 92024
I trust Ryan Hargrave and he is super cool. I call Ryan for home loan guidance and he delivers. Very easy to talk to, smart, honest and goes the extra mile. If you are looking for a new home or need to refinance call Ryan. I did not know he did HELOCs, but he does!
Ryan is the BEST mortgage broker that we have ever used! We have bought and sold 7 homes in 10+ years and Ryan always finds the best rate, always beating out any competition by a significant margin! He was always in contact with us, providing meaningful updates and ensuring we were always being taken care of! He made sure we felt secure and he handled everything so smoothly! I would recommend him 100% of the time to anyone that is looking for the best rates and best service in the industry. Thanks Ryan!
We cannot recommend Ryan Hargrave enough! As first-time homebuyers, Ryan put our nerves at ease and held our hand every step of the way, explaining every detail with patience and care. His expertise and dedication were clear from our very first conversation, and we always felt like his top priority, knowing he truly had our best interests at heart. He also went above and beyond to secure the best possible deal for us?even with our complex situation. Thanks to Ryan we now own our first home, in our hometown
Ryan was awesome to work with! He closed the loan in record time, but more importantly he was the only person I reached out to that took the time to answer every question I have. Throughout the process, I understood exactly what was going on without all the jargon, and I ended up with the best rate and lowest closing costs out of everyone
Choosing Ryan as our mortgage broker was the best decision we could have made before purchasing our first home. He went above and beyond for us. I couldn't recommend his services enough as he made the whole process for us so stress free and easy. Exceptional communication and was so transparent through it all. We are beyond grateful for our wonderful experience with Hargrove home loans!
We felt supported every step of the way working with Ryan. What really stood out was his dedication to making the process as smooth and seamless as possible. Communication was always prompt, and he guided us through any challenges with patience and expertise. Thanks to Ryan, we were able to secure a great mortgage with confidence and ease. If you're looking for a mortgage lender who genuinely cares about their clients and makes the process enjoyable, we highly recommend Ryan and the team at Hargrave Home Lo
We recently had the pleasure of working with Ryan at Hargrave Home Loans, and I can honestly say the experience exceeded our expectations. From start to finish, Ryan was not only professional and knowledgeable, but also personable and approachable, making the entire mortgage process much more enjoyable than we anticipated. He helped us find our dream home and would highly recommend him to any of our closest friends and family looking for a mortgage!
Ryan and his team were amazing during my entire loan process. No questions was too small or out there. Ryan was a great help and so easy to work with. Really made me feel taken care of.
We have worked with Ryan multiple times over the last few years for purchases and refinances. There have been times that we've had to navigate complex situations in our loan process and through all of it Ryan has been creative with solutions, helpful, supportive, and always in our corner. He has worked hard to find solutions when other brokers could not provide them and has also just been a positive support through the loan process each time. He's also just a wonderful person who is enjoyable to work with.
Ryan was incredible in supporting us every step of the way through this process! We could not have purchased our first home without his expertise, patience, and valuable insight every step of the way! Ryan is a gem and an amazing partner!
Ryan is our go-to lender for any real estate purchase. I enthusiastically give him a well-deserved 5 stars for an outstanding home loan experience. Ryan's communication is exceptional, combining effectiveness with a gentle approach that made the process efficient and stress-free. He is incredibly easy to work with, maintaining a friendly and approachable demeanor while guiding you through every step. Ryan's unwavering commitment ensures the job gets done, going above and beyond to secure success. If you're
Ryan is the best - holding my hand through what I had previously conceived to be an overwhelming and potentially unachievable feat - first time home ownership and the associated lending and application process for a regular guy, darting in and out of normal employment, regular paychecks, pseudo self-employment, W2s, 1099s, K1s and the like. Throughout the process I received clear communication regarding needs on his end, timelines and general updates. At no point did he come off as pushy, and seemed to be m
Ryan was amazing to work with when I bought my first home. He also did our cash out refi (best thing we've ever done). He is quick, efficient and gets the job done. If there's any hurdles he will let you know and is amazing at problem solving through any tough situations. He's an excellent communicator and has your best interests in mind! I will always think of him first for any future loans or as a referral for friends and family. 10/10 I would recommend.
Ryan was very communicative, gave us options to consider for our loan and helped us close on time, despite a short timeline.
I recommend Ryan Hargrave as an exceptional mortgage broker. Throughout our extended escrow process, Ryan's dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our success stood out. His remarkable responsiveness and willingness to work after hours were instrumental in ensuring a smooth and timely closing. Ryan kept us well-informed about changing market conditions, providing us with valuable insights that allowed us to make informed decisions. His ability to adapt to the dynamic mortgage landscape was cruc
This is why Brokers are better than a bank. Ryan guided us through our first home purchase with ease. We discovered the HOA had problems and we were able to start another loan option (with him) while we he fought to get the HOA compliant and approved. The negotiations left us with a huge seller credit to keep money in our pocket while closing on the best loan option! The knowledge, communication and never-give-up attitude was impressive, we would have been dead in the water without Ryan's expertise. The Mo
Ryan is easy to work with and is on top of everything that needs to happen. I've worked with Ryan twice now and can say that he is someone I can trust and count on!
As a first time home buyer, Ryan and his team made the process seamless. They were extremely prompt with their responses and enjoyable to work with. Thank you for all your help! I would highly recommend working with them :)
Couldn't think of a better human to work with when finding our best loan options. Ryan has helped me and my wife find our dream home, and continues to assist us day in and day out guiding us with our future decision making. He makes it easy to understand and constantly works to find us the best options available! He also is an amazing ski driver when surf is XXL haha, Big love to him and his family, thanks Ryan! - Gudauskas family
Ryan is one of the best Lenders I know. He has always hit home runs for me and finds ways to make challenging scenarios seem easy. Ryan is an out of the box thinker and knows how to find the finish line. I would highly recommend him to all my clients. ????
Ryan was extremely helpful and easy to work with in my home buying process. I didn't speak the real estate language at all, and he helped me find solutions to my unique situation. 18 months later, he's still just a phone call away whenever I have questions. Can't recommend his services enough!
Ryan was absolutely terrific, knowledgeable, responsive, and professional in regards to my refinance. I wanted to close fast, but rather than taking a quick deal, he recommended that I hold off until the time was right, which ended up saving me a big chunk on my monthly payment and easily tens of thousands of dollars over the course of my loan - talk about integrity! He was incredibly patient throughout the process, answering all questions promptly. I could not give a higher recommendation.
If you're considering purchasing a new home or refinancing your existing home, Ryan Hargave is the best in the business. Whether you're an expert or have zero experience going through the process of buying or refinancing a hime, Ryan will walk you through each step in detail and total transparency in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident you're making the right choice. He really takes his time and explains all the line items and options you have available. He helped us with our original home l
If the role of a mortgage broker is to secure for you a great loan, coordinate with escrow, your realtor, investment adviser, accountant and attorney then Ryan Hargrave is the person I would recommend without hesitation. Thank you, Ryan, for your diligence, expertise and compassion in making the purchase of my new home an almost stress free experience!
10/10. Hargrave home loans makes the loan world a dream. He is the absolute best with clear communication, making it so easy and simple to understand what you are signing up for. Also takes time to research and find the best rates and ways to work the deal so you feel comfortable with what you get. Felt like family working with him and I hopefully will get to work with him in the future.
Ryan just handled a refinance and was able to lock in the lowest possible rate for me saving me hundreds monthly with some extra cash to cover taxes. Perfect timing and a super easy process.
Best refi experience we've had to date and we've done a few. Ryan was great to work with, super knowledgeable and helpful in explaining our options and guiding us through the process. Would work with him again in a heartbeat and highly recommend!
This group recently handled a loan for us on a second home out of state. Top notch service, they handled a complex transaction with ease and we even closed on the loan while in Mexico. I can't say enough good things about the customer experience with Hargrave home loans. They will make you feel like part of the family!
Took the stress and anxiety out of the home buying process. Worked seamlessly with our real estate agent. If I could give another star - I would.
Ryan and his team do e great job!
They under promised and over delivered. We were able to close early and getting into our new home before the weekend. Thank you for the clear communication and smooth process.
This team is here for you every step of the way. Highly recommend! Processes was fast and efficient.
Smooth sailing refi from start to finish.
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.