*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.*
Suite 100, 900 E Hamilton Ave
Campbell, California 95008
I?ve had the unique opportunity to both work at and collaborate with Murdock Martell, and I can confidently say they are one of the best consulting firms in the Bay Area. Murdock Martell fosters a culture of strategic thinking and continuous growth. Claire Martell and her team are transparent and invested in the success of both internal employees and clients. On the client side, Murdock Martell has been able to quickly assist with challenges and deliver results. Murdock Martell consultants bring both tech
I have used Murdock Martell as a resource for many years in several venture backed companies. They are always flexible and responsive to accommodate their client's business needs and challenges. They keep their teams and resources up to date in order to provide the best support possible. I am currently CFO in an early-stage start-up and having Murdock Martell as a resource has been extremely valuable. The support I need changes constantly and I appreciate greatly the tools, technical knowledge a
Claire and the Murdock Martell team have been a pleasure to work with! Their team consistently goes above and beyond, delivering exceptional results. I?ve used them numerous times with start-up clients. Their guidance on navigating complex revenue recognition projects has been invaluable. They?ve provided seamless support with audit preparation, making a stressful process incredibly smooth and efficient. Murdock Martell is a trusted partner, from initial startup services to ongoing financial and accounting
Murdock Martell is a total game-changer for a company. Whether it's HR, finance or accounting, their team just gets it. They help create smoother processes, handle tricky situations with confidence, and help build a better overall business. They?re detail-oriented, fast, and always a step ahead. What really stands out is how personal and proactive they are. They feel more like an extension of an in-house team than an outside firm. They can be counted on, and that peace of mind is priceless. If you're loo
I thoroughly enjoy working with the team at Murdock Martell! As a small finance team, we are able to enjoy the benefits of a larger organization by utilizing Murdock Martell to support a robust internal control system, ensure accuracy of our records, and have a dedicated team that feels like our own employees. Their dedication to excellent customer service shows in everything they do. I would highly recommend Murdock Martell for all accounting and HR needs!
The fine accounting and financial professionals at Murdock Martell help keep our small startup on track, as well as assist with larger projects with great care and understanding of our unique product and market. If anything comes up beyond their top-notch purview, they have a quality network to call upon. We are safe in their hands.
I have referred numerous business owners to Murdock Martell and have been very satisfied with the timeliness of their reply and the various levels of support they provide. I meet many early stage business owners in the high tech and bio tech realms and it is nice to know of a firm who focuses on businesses in this segment for the fractional needs that many growing businesses have.
Great team! Very knowledgeable and responsive. My company has been working with Murdock Martell for over a year so far and we're very happy with their Accounting and HR support. Thank you Murdock Martell!
I have worked with Murdock Martell professionals on quite a few occasions with many different clients. I have always found them to bring a high level of competence, knowledge, teamwork, and professionalism to the tasks at hand while displaying utmost concern for the client. It is a delight to work with them.
Murdock Martell is a great CFO firm! They really care about their clients and they always put together solid, usable, correct financial statements and reports for their clients. They go the extra mile to make sure their clients are taken care of and they act as an operational partner in their clients' businesses. Charlie Shureen, CPA, Tax Principal at Abbott
Excellent firm providing accounting and finance support for special projects or ongoing operations. Have partnered with Murdock Martell to provide high quality resources for my clients over the years. Highly recommend.
Murdock Martell is an exceptional service provider with a strong team with a vast wealth of experience. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Murdock Martell and look forward to working with them again in the future.
I am a founder of a tiny startup. Despite our small size, Murdoch-Martell has always given us the level of service they would offer to their top clients. With one exception. Being small, our budget is always tight and Murdoch-Martell has always worked with us to help us with the ups and downs of the business making sure that they were giving us everything we needed while staying within our budget. They are trusted people to work with along with the added benefit of just being really great people :-).
I've worked with Murdock Martell at a number of my startups. Having rock solid financial advice and support for a startup CEO is critical to the success of the business, whether you are flush with cash and can hire the best, or when struggling and running low on cash and need to spend every penny wisely. In both cases, and across that entire spectrum, I wouldn't try to run and scale a business without the kind of expertise yMurdock Martell provides. They are true business partners no matter where on the sc
Murdock Martell is one of those exceptional finds that you?ll never let go of once you engage them. They have provided exceptional financial and HR support to our complicated startup, and kept us right on many occasions. Can?t recommend them highly enough! Simon McElrea, CEO LQDX Inc.
If you're looking for top-tier finance and accounting talent, Murdock Martell is the place to go. I wholeheartedly recommend this organization for their professionalism, expertise, and consistent delivery of high-quality candidates.
We've been working with Murdock Martell for the past 4 years and each employee has been so helpful. They're very knowledgeable and professional and have always been there to answer any questions we might have! I would absolutely recommend them.
Murdock Martell consistently provides team members who have perfect qualifications for the job needs. I feel confident that the job is getting done right. And the people are professional and personable.
Retaining a strong finance and accounting team in-house can be challenging, especially with the complications and inefficiencies that come with high turnover. For over 10 years, Murdock Martell has provided my company with reliable and excellent accounting services?managing our financial operations, ensuring compliance with audit and tax filings, and helping us maintain best practices
I love working with Mudock. They are totally professional, experts in their field walk candidates to each part of the interview process. I highly recommend working with these fine people. Dr. D. Gonzalez
The Murdock Martell team was flexible and customer focused. They worked with us, even though it took longer, to find the perfect fit for our Accounting manager role!
Claire and her team have done an excellent job of quickly finding experienced consultants on the FP&A side over the past 4 years. These consultants provided quality service at a critical time for the companies I've worked with.
Murdock Martell has been instrumental in ensuring my start up could handle the growth we have experienced in the last six months by managing our HR & Finance/Accounting functions with professionals who have been par excellence!!!
The company provided CFO-to-rent service for my startup HomeBrik.com for several years. I worked with several MM consultants and each of them was super professional with outmost attention to detail and dedication to task at hand. I was always impressed with the staff's ability to provide seemless service.
I have worked with Murdock Martell for almost 15 years now. They are the best; I could not do what I do as a CFO without them. I cannot recommend them more highly.
Murdock helps us and many other VC-backed companies manage back-office tasks, so that we can focus on building. Highly recommend!
I have had the opportunity to work with Claire and her team for over ten years and their commitment to delivering stellar service is to be commended. I would refer any of my clients to Murdock Martell
TheraDep Technologies has been utilizing the services of Murdock Martel for about 5 years and we are thoroughly pleased with them.
Very creative consulting firm. There are a lot of wonderful consultants available to execute on large scope projects.
I have used this firm since it was founded and I have always been completely satisfied with their work
Claire Martell and the team at Murdock Martell are just amazing!
Long time client, one of the best--highly recommend for your finance and accounting needs!
Very customer centric - Spends the time to make sure to understand the customer needs and then delivers.
Claire and her team are amazing!
Great service tailored to the needs of small companies.
Very responsive to meet our company's needs
Knowledgeable, Responsive, Thorough
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.