*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.*
209 Williams Rd
Salinas, California 93905
Sergio was able to help me with both my personal and business tax needs. He did a great job of explaining the ?why? behind the different options we had for filing, saving us significant amounts of taxes in the process. More importantly, Sergio was able to help us look forward, to do better tax planning, based on our specific family and business situation. This empowered us to approach the upcoming year more intelligently and proactively, by being better educated about the tax laws. Sergio is fluent in E
Sergio is truly the best! He?s incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and makes tax season feel completely stress-free. I couldn?t imagine doing my taxes without him!
Sergio was amazing, he made my feel less overwhelmed by the whole tax stress I get every year. He was very helpful & talked me through alot of things I didn't understand. So happy to say he's my new tax guy ??
I got helped by Sergio with my taxes, I liked how he explained everything and answered all my questions and concerns. This is my second time going here to get my taxes done by Sergio and I?ll be back again. I highly recommend coming here to get your taxes done.
Been coming to Sergio for a few years now. He is very patient and knowledgeable. There wasn?t a question he wasn?t able to answer. I highly recommend him.
Came in to do my taxes with Sergio Zarate. Very vigilant and helpful. Coming here next year as well. Thank you Sergio
My father recommended Sergio, and I have been coming to him to do my taxes for years now. Thank you Sergio!
Amazing service. Maria is very professional. She was helpful and explained everything to us.
I've never had a problem here. Rigoberto helped me a lot today. Thank you.
Lopez Tax service has done my income taxes for 4 years. Ive never had any problems. Sergio is always so pleasant and helpful to work with. I really don't have to do anything except show up. Thank you Sergio and Lopez Tax service!
Fernando at Lopez Tax Service has always been great in doing my taxes and ensuring I?m getting the most money back that I?m owed. He?s super fast and friendly and always able to fit me in for an appointment that fits my schedule.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Sergio to get our business taxes done, and I can't say enough positive things about the experience. From start to finish, Sergio was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and helpful in explaining all the information we needed to know. One of the things that stood out to me most was how Sergio took the time to really listen to our needs and concerns, and worked hard to ensure that we felt comfortable and confident in the process. He was always willing to answer our
Fernando has helped me every year since I started filing taxes in 2018. I recommend him to all of my colleagues and friends. I also drive all the way from Sacramento just to come to Lopez Tax Service so that I can continue to work with him in all my tax needs. Thank you for everything
Great customer service, Fernando Diaz is the agent who helped me. Fernando was efficient and very knowledgeable with all the concerns I had and walk me through the procces each step of the way.
I can?t even express how amazing Maria and Fernando are.. she?s super fast and excellent! She was quick and up front. I had the most and she made it seem super easy to understand ! Fernando is always super nice and understands your needs if you go here always ask for Maria or Fernando Diaz! They are both great!
First time doing my taxes here and it was very pleasant. I had a very enjoyable time being helped by Sergio! He?s very kind, friendly and helpful! I highly recommend people doing their taxes here! I felt very happy and welcomed while being there! Thank for everyone Sergio you are the best!
Fernando was very helpful. Really appreciative of him going out of his way and breaking down everything to help me understand my tax process. 100% recommend coming to fernando for your tax services!
Not sure what happened. We have been with Lopez Tax Service for about 10 years. We made an appointment as usual. Appointment was canceled while we were on the road to the appointment. It's a two hour drive for us. Left our paperwork at the Lopez office. Was told we would receive a call back. No call, we tried twice to call back. Was told both times our Tax preparer was busy
3/11/2023: Although we always dread doing on income tax, it?s always a pleasure having Sergio (Lopez Tax Service) get us through this ordeal every year! Sergio is a real professional and we always welcome the service that he provides to us. We highly recommend their services to whomever may need help with their taxes.
Fernando was amazing today, I?ve been coming for 4 years now and he is the best! Definitely would recommend coming to fernando he is honest, professional and gives very knowledgeable explanation.
Sergio Z is exceptionally knowledgeable, adept at elucidating intricate details, and consistently maintains a high level of professionalism. He consistently goes the extra mile to illustrate concepts through practical examples, ensuring that customers can readily grasp the information.
Absolutely phenomenal customer service! I was able to book a last minute tax preparation appointment over the phone, and I was told of all the required documents to bring. My wife is a foreign citizen, and they helped complete the complicated ITIN process with us. The staff are incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I will be completing my taxes here from now on!
I had the best experience with Fernando preparing my taxes. He was very thorough and professional when explaining taxes to me. Lopez tax service is lucky to have an employee like Fernando. I will definitely have him prepare my taxes moving forward.
Excellent service always with Fernando. Highly recommend his services. Extremely knowledgeable and willing to teach in new changes. Will continue to come as he has never disappoint after 10 years of service.
Fernando is always polite, respectful, professional and very helpful. I've been coming to him for years and will be for many years to come. Thank you Fernando for all your help.
Great service Fernando has been filling my taxes for the past 2 years and he?s done such a great job he always gives me a great understanding on my taxes. I really recommend filing your taxes with Fernando at Lopez tax service.
Maria has been mine and my husband's tax lady for several years now. She is very patient and takes her time with explaining everything in detail to us. Thank you Maria, you are awesome!
Fernando is always very nice and has great advice. Have been going to file taxes with him for years and will keep returning.
Sergio from Lopez Tax is the bomb.com! Always so professional and friendly. He definitely knows what he?s doing and answers all your questions. We?ve come to him for some years now and I don?t plan to change spots ever. I recommend 1000% Gracias Sergio! ;D
I've been coming to Lopez tax service for years. Since 2008. Maria Vega has been excellent and friendly. And also her co-worker Sofi very helpful and friendly elsewell. ?? Answers all questions I have. Thanks girls
First time ever coming here to do my taxes and I'm coming back for all my tax needs. Vicente Soria was extremely helpful we reviewed both last years taxes (that i filed somewhere else) and this years tax forms line by line well worth the wait! He also informed me about direct deposit and I already received both my checks in less than 2 weeks.(was skeptical about this but secure)A bit pricey but well worth it.
We had a great experience with Fernando. He is very knowledgeable and gave us great advice. He really tries to help his clients.
Sergio Zarate was very attentive and gave me such relief! He went above and beyond in answering all my questions. Highly recommend him!
My wife has been coming to Lopez tax services for almost 20years and Fernando has always shown true professionalism and knowledge when preparing our taxes. Definitely recommend Fernando at Lopez Tax for all your tax needs.
This location on Williams has great entertainment for kids. Have been doing my taxes with Fernando for years and will keep returning.
Sergio was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. He's helped us to obtain our largest refunds possible and answered all of our questions.
Great service every time. Sergio Zarate never disappoints. He's very thorough and professional. Thank you so much!
I have been doing my taxes with Maria for several years and she is always amazing, very helpful. Always recommend her when given a chance.
Sat there for 20 minutes listening to their gossip. Nobody even acknowledged I was there for almost 30 minutes. I had an appointment, worst customer service ever. Will never go there again. Very unprofessional
We?ve been going to Fernando for 17 yrs and he has always been very attentive and answers any questions we might have. He is the best tax preparer we have been to.
Sergio is the man , been doing my taxes with him for 2 years i recommend him to absolutely anyone he is very fast and will get you in and out quickly
I have been doing my Taxes with Maria V. From Lopez Tax Services for numerous years now.... I have always been treated with respect professionalism. I highly recommend them.
Great experience Mr. Fernando is a great professional who I trust completely to help me with any tax issues.
Really professional staff that is extremely knowledgeable and experts in their field. Highly recommended with exceptional client service. A+++
I?ve been going to Fernando Diaz for a couple of years now and I always leave satisfied. He?s great!
Used to be a great place to file your taxes, ive been going there for about 10 yrs. Customer service just keeps declining. They dont call you to tell you that your refund is there, you gotta walk in and ask! Supposedly they been busy thats why they hadn't called 8 ppl i know didnt get called in they called lopez them self or walked in to ask about their refund that is just sitting there.
Excellent service with Fernando Diaz when doing my taxes. He?s always so helpful.
Get in contact with Sergio Zarate! Very professional, highly intelligent, types swiftly, and he wants to help you!
Fernando was a big help, fast and easy for doing my taxes here for the first time!
Fernando is very pleasant and professional. He answers any and all question we may have.
Great customer service! Highly recommend for others to come see Maria she is amazing at what she does!
Fernando is always great help with taxes. Great overall experience and makes filing super easy
Very fast and professional! Always a pleasant experience. Been a loyal customer for many years.
I really recommend Fernando Diaz really help you out to get your full refund and never rushes his work
We have years doing our income with him thank you Sr Fernando for all you help.
What a great guy. I think you should pay him more . This way he can enjoy lunch cause he at the office all the time.
Fernando was great, he explained everything in detail and helped to make sure I was getting the maximum amount.
Maria never fails to be the most effective and friendly! Been coming to her for years.
Five star service ?????????? Friendly, informative, and quick! Definitely will be coming back for all my tax services.
Sergio is the best!!! We got the best return and he is very knowledgeable
Sergio's professionalism is always excellent.
Been doing my taxes here for 5 years with Fernando Diaz. Never disappointed.
Great customer service, thank you Segio.
Great service! Maria is the best. Very professional
Their customer service is mediocre and too pricey to get your taxes done here . They can be very unclear on how much you?ll receive back on your taxes , they tell you an estimate and when the time comes to receive them it?s much less than what you were promised .So I wouldn?t trust them .
Maria is great! Been coming to her for years.
Efficient and accommodating. Maria is alway the best and most helpful.
Had my taxes done and I was told if I had any questions to come on in or call. ..I called no one picked up the phone....went to office and the building was closed down..
Excellent service! Fernando is always the most helpful!
Maria was excellent explained everything and was very knowledgeable
This place cheated me out of my money. I did my taxes here and only got 388. I got my quota from another place and I should have received more than $1,000. Do not trust or go to this place.
Great Service..Thank You Fernando Diaz
Fernando is very helpful with my taxes!
Best Place for taxes ask for Maria Vega she is the best !!!!
Great! Experienced personnel and detailed oriented.
Very polite and explains everything for you to understand
Vicente was very friendly and extremely helpful
Fernando is always great ?? ??
Great costumer service always.
Thank you Maria you are great!
Always a friendly service.
THANK YOU FERNANDO FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM
Great customer service
As always she is professional
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.