*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.*
1012 Hacienda Dr
Walnut Creek, California 94598
Harmon is a very organized, knowledgeable, and efficient CPA, and has an extremely sharp mind. He helped our nonprofit organization prepare our Form 990 -- no easy task considering the state of our books! -- with patience and thoroughness. It was a pleasure to work with him. He was easy to get ahold of, made wise recommendations, and did the work very quickly. His help and experience were invaluable, and we look forward to using his services again next year.
Harmon has long been an essential member of our extended Finance team, doing our tax preparation for many years, providing expert guidance on a range of complex matters, delivering supreme and highly responsive customer service, and enabling our accounting efforts to be their best. Harmon is top of his field, and a business partner we deeply treasure and wholeheartedly recommend.
Harmon was responsive, quick, and willing to work with us as a small non-profit. He answered all our questions with patience and helped us complete our returns and other required forms quickly.
Harmon has been a very efficient and professional CPA for my organization. He has good knowledge about non-profits and tax filings. He always responds quickly to any small question I have, and answers everything in detail. I would highly recommend his services for non-profits. Our organization was able to achieve the standards required quickly (during initial days of starting it), through Harmon's advise and services. Though his services might be a little on the expensive side, I would still go with it bec
Harmon is an amazing CPA, and he is a tremendous asset to the Bay Area community. He has been the CPA for United Roots for many years, and is detailed oriented, efficient and very knowledgeable. Harmon goes above and beyond his duties as a CPA, and also supports our organization with things like board development and best practices. Harmon is easy to work with, friendly and a very good person. He is affordable and has a quick turn-around. I highly recommend his accounting services!
Harmon is a thrill to work with! Harmon goes above and beyond his duties as a CPA. It is clear that he invests in your business/organization beyond just his contract. He always shares useful and thoughtful resources with our team. His work has always been high quality and on time. He expertly walked our new organization through our first set of taxes and made our lives much easier. Highly recommend!
At the non-profit organization I co-founded decades ago, we have used Harmon's services for many years. He focuses on the non-profit sector, and has total command of the many accounting issues affecting our work. He is responsive, easy to work with and inspires confidence with his clear advice and guidance. He is a valued 'member of the team' because he has been part of our growth and evolution. We are lucky to have him as our CPA.
Harmon is a gem! It's been great to have him on our side as our new accountant for our growing nonprofit dog rescue. We were looking for someone with nonprofit expereince and the knowledge to help us understand where any gaps were that we did not know. He reviewed our work quickly and came up with a doable plan to get us caught up and on track for success. He was responsive, easy to talk to, and completed the work in a very timely manner. We will keep him on our team for many years I'm sure!
Our 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation transitioned to Harmon from a higher-volume accounting firm this year, and we have been delighted with the care, attention, patience, and insight that Harmon has extended to us. In a short amount of time, Harmon earned our trust and our loyalty, fulfilling the promise of his ethos: "saving the world, one tax return at a time."
Harmon has been a great help to us. He is extremely knowledgeable about nonprofit accounting and tax law, and very responsive to all of our questions. He also helped us get a large IRS penalty waived, which a prior tax advisor had caused. I would recommend him without reservation!
Harmon Burstyn has prepared the tax documents for the non-profit organization that I manage for many years. He provides excellent, and timely service, and sends regular reminders for deadlines etc. We also appreciate the regular updates he sends to us highlighting changes in tax codes, mileage reimbursement amounts and more. This shows that he cares about or organization's success and demonstrates support of our mission.
Harmon is a professional who is always striving to provide our team value beyond our immediate needs. His responsiveness and knowledge of the space allowed us to set up our entities in record time, despite the complex nature of what was involved. Looking forward to continuing to work with him.
Harmon is an excellent tax accountant, who I first met when he helped us clean up a mess which a previous auditor had left for us when they failed to file our taxes as promised. He quickly and efficiently solved our problems, filing the proper paperwork, and successfully negotiating with the IRS to have tens of thousands of dollars in penalties waived. Since then, he has assisted us in filing 990s and amendments for subsequent tax years, and is a real pleasure to work with. I would heartily recommend them
Harmon has worked with us for years and his work is fast and impeccable. He is a joy to work with and always available and ready. We highly recommend working with Harmon if you're interested in bringing your business to a new level of operation and efficiency.
As a new non-profit and all of the information coming at you at once it is nice to have someone with expertise to help you with the legalities. We found Harmon Burstyn to be professional and knowledgable in regards to our tax reporting. Highly recommend Harmon for your non-profit tax needs!
If you're looking to work with someone who can help your non-profit reach its full potential, Harmon is that person. I am new to the non profit world and Harmon made me feel at ease and comfortable, even when asking a silly question. He was professional, knowledgeable and most of all, kind.
For years, Harmon has worked with the non-profit that I run, and for a very reasonable fee. His knowledge of non-profit tax codes and best practices is extensive, and I can trust that he is on top of our taxes each year - a big load off my plate! He also provides additional resources throughout the year related to non-profit governance and taxes, which are very helpful and appreciated.
As a CPA performing bookkeeping and accounting services for non profit clients I was delighted to find Harmon Burstyn CPA to become the tax preparer for one of my clients. He is very knowledgeable and informed about the non profit environment. His tax preparation approach makes the process informative and relatively stress free for the client. With enthusiasm he offers many tips and articles to clients to help them improve their organizations. A true " trusted advisor"
Harmon Burstyn CPA for Nonprofits is outstanding! Professional service and he definitely knows his stuff. He filed taxes for both my nonprofits and cleaned up the mess that was left behind. Thank you Harmon for getting us back on track...
Harmon Burstyn has provided services to Women's Daytime Drop-In Center for many years! He is professional, quick to respond and provides our agency with important non-profit updates on current best practices. I could not recommend anymore more highly! Wonderful to work with!
Based on several years of excellent and professional service, we highly recommend Harmon Busrtyn, CPA. Harmon understands the needs of nonprofits and provides resources and support for the various challenges an organization may face.
We have been customers of Harmon Burstyn, CPA for Nonprofits for over a decade. We are pleased with his professionalism, knowledge and services he provides to our organization. We are thankful for his services.
I've worked with Harmon for more than 5 years and couldn't be happier. He has a calm and uncomplicated approach as well as terrific tips and useful information. Highly recommend his services.
Harmon has taken charge of the preparation of our 990 and we couldn't be happier. Harmon is easy to work with and very knowledgeable. We look forward to working with Harmon for many years to come.
Harmon is so wonderful to work with and excellent at what he does. I've been working with him for years and highly recommend his services!
Harmon is very supportive, knowledgeable and timely! Such a big help to a small organization like ours. I highly recommend!
I've worked with Harmon for 2 years and our organization for even longer. He is fast, reliable, and always available for our questions! Highly recommended.
Harmon turned our small non-profit around. I HIGHLY recommend for any Executive Director's who need help in navigating 990s and other tax needs!
Harmon's a delight to work with. He's intelligent, professional and really cares. I wouldn't use anyone else.
Working with Harmon is great! He's extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
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.