*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.*
8880 Rio San Diego Dr # 1000
San Diego, California 92108
We have been extremely satisfied with One Degree Advisors! After bouncing around with our investment strategy and different advisors, we came across Anthony Saffer. What a great Blessing! Anthony has guided us pre-retirement for many years and now is soundly guiding us in our retirement. He has become like family to us. We don't have to question any of his strategy. He keeps us well informed and intently monitors our investments! I would highly recommend him! You can be assured of a quality family man, look
We have been clients of One Degree Advisors for most of our married life. We began investing with the founder of the company in the 80's, when it had a different name. We have always been treated like family and have trusted all of the staff with our portfolio, knowing they will do what they can to invest wisely and protect our funds. We check in with them regularly and feel our funds are secure. We highly recommend Anthony Saffer and all the One Degree staff for your financial investment needs.
Alex exudes trustability. When we meet he is super friendly and answers all of my question using simple terminology that I can I understand. He takes his times managing my portfolio and goes over an array of options that suit me best. I really enjoy working with him and truly feel that he has my best interest in mind. I'd highly recommend him to any one looking.
I believe I am in my fifth decade working with the stalwart financial professionals at One Degree Advisors. From Roy Johnson to Audrey Coleman and now, Alex Okugawa, the professionalism and expertise of the entire One Degree Advisors team is second to none. Their customer service is over-the-top in so many ways. I have and will continue to recommend their services to my colleagues and friends.
Trusted financial advisors. I highly recommend. Been utilizing One Degree since Roy and then Audrey were partners. Started in my early twenties as encouraged by my parents (clients themselves). One Degree are setting us on the right path to retire with confidence when ready. They have guided my children as well; exceptionally. You can't go wrong with reaching out, setting up an appointment and onboarding their services. From the staff (including Jeff and Nolita) to the financial advise (thank you Anthony an
I contacted One Degree in spring 2023 and discussed my plans to retire in 2027. They requested copies of my finances for analysis and we set up an initial meeting to see if I was on target financially to retire at my desire date/age. During the meeting, Janice and Philip discussed where I stood, and asked me what type of investment strategy I was comfortable with; never pressuring me on a particular one. Once all the information was calculated, they showed me that I was strongly in position to retire th
I had my annual meeting with Alex Okugawa of One Degree Advisors in San Diego and was impressed and delighted as he explained my portfolio to me. With his guidance, I am satisfied that my financial success is secured for the remainer of my life. I would recommend Alex Okugawa to my family and friends.
I have been with One Degree since 2011 and I'm so glad I did. Anthony Saffer has been my financial advisor/planner and has helped me set up my retirement accounts. I am pleased with his knowledge of stocks & bonds and his patience with all my questions. He has given me the confidence I needed to invest my money.in a good strategic way so that I can be confident in my future even with all the ups & downs of the stock market. Thanks, Anthony!
I have been with One Degree Advisors for many years and it just gets better and better. Recently Alex reviewed my financial plan with me and when I felt I didn't understand everything clearly, we met again until I felt comfortable with all my decisions. He is very thorough and personable. I highly recommend this financial planning group.
I stumbled upon One Degree Advisors on Youtube where I watched a video on retirement strategy. I have watched a lot of similar videos but theirs demonstrated more than a business perspective. Since then I have met with Philip Reuer who made it his concern to personally understand me so he could fully understand my retirement goals and set up several retirement scenarios to consider. We discussed the best path forward that aligns with my goals and values. I feel confident in their approach to changing market
We have been using One Degree Advisors for many years. The quality of service & responsiveness to our questions and our needs is excellent. Our investments have truly been well handled. I would recommend them highly!! Give them a 10.
One Degree Advisors is not our first financial/investment advisor in the past years. However, they have been our best! My husband and I have been with One Degree for 5 years and we could not be happier with their services. Everyone in the office is very friendly and personable. We feel that Alex Okugawa, our advisor, is a person of high integrity. He is very knowledgeable, detail oriented, and very responsive to our needs or any questions we might have. We feel very comfortable working with him. Our
My husband & I have been with One Degree since 2017. We are so happy with the service provided by One Degree and especially for Alex Okugawa who manages our accounts. He is very professional and knowledgeable. He presents all information in an easy to understand manner and is willing to answer any and all questions and is quick to respond when we reach out to him with questions. Our meetings with Alex are always thorough with discussion of our funds' past performance and what our future plans should be. We
I was referred to One Degree Advisors over a year and a half ago, and choosing to work with them has had a tremendously positive effect on my finances. I am so much more organized now, and the they provide has led to major improvements in how I have approached decisions pertaining to retirement and debt management, expense management and creation of wealth. Matt Calcagno in particular has been wonderful, and I truly value the relationship I have built with him and the rest of his team, as well as the period
One Degree Advisors have been my Financial Advisors for over 15 years. I have confidence in their expertise and trust in their recommendations to manage my portfolio. They listen to my investment questions and offer quarterly reviews. They research before offering advice on long term care and life insurance, annuities, retirement pensions, and taxes. I have referred to friends and family, who also appreciate and trust Anthony Saffer with One Degree.
I have been working for many years with One Degree Advisors and their investment strategies have worked very well for me. I retired this year and feel confident I will be able to enjoy my retirement without budget worries. Audrey and Matt have been the 2 advisors who I have worked with the most. They are attentive, informative, courteous and timely in fulfilling any requests. Great group!!
I am a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Kingdom Advisor. I am the founder of a financial planning firm and have had 35 years leading clients to pursue true financial freedom. Alex knows his stuff and I can verify the plan he models for us is exceptionally well done. While I know our plan is rock solid, if my wife does not sense that, our journey will lack the joy and impact we desire. Jan & Alex are able to communicate with my wife in a way that gives her peace of mind and will allow us to brin
Our One Degree Team has been incredibly helpful and communicative. One Degree took the time to get to know our hopes and dreams, which helped us develop our financial plan as a team. This is the first financial advisor company which has given us this level of individual attention so that we can understand where our money is, the plan for it's growth, and feel confidence and security in our financial decisions.
We have been with One Degree for 20 years and working with Alex on building our retirement investments has given us a clear plan and peace in knowing that we are prepared for that chapter of our lives. We have appreciated the patience and discussion of multiple scenarios. One Degree invests their money into the same companies they invest our money. We wouldn't trust anyone else with our financial future.
We've been working with One Degree since long before they were One Degree! The original firm came recommended to us in 1993 and we have been with them since 1994. Nothing but good advice and care for our portfolio as our family grew and we now approach retirement. It's been our pleasure to work with Roy, Audrey and now Anthony and his staff all this time.
My husband and I have been clients with One Degree since it's inception in 2014. Alex became our financial advisor a few years after that and we could be happier! He is very knowledgeable, stays abreast of the latest trends, takes our risk aversion into consideration, and we trust Alex implicitly. Anytime we have questions, he gets back to us promptly. We appreciate that he meets with us at least twice a year to make sure we are on track with our retirement planning, which is coming up fairly soon. Mee
My husband and I being in our 40s and newly married, reached out to One Degree Advisors about a year ago for financial guidance and have been incredibly impressed by our financial advisor, Alex Okugawa. He's professional, personable, and wise. He listens to our needs, provides individualized guidance, and is gracious to answer all of our questions. We are confident that due to his expertise we will be set up well for financial security regardless of what the future may bring. If you are looking for a financ
My family and I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Alex, Jeff, and the entire team at One Degree Advisors. Over the past four years, their guidance has been transformative. While my wife and I considered ourselves financially savvy, we lacked a strategic plan that could truly guide us into retirement. Our assets were scattered?real estate here, stocks in various brokerage accounts, IRAs without a clear purpose. Enter Alex Okugawa. With genuine care, he sat down with us, delving into our goals, wishes, and c
One Degree advisors are friendly, knowledgeable and eminently proficient at explaining complicated financial matters in a way that a layperson can easily understand. I highly recommend them.
We have worked with the One Degree team for many years, and as we have gotten closer to retirement, our gratitude has only increased. We appreciate how the team ensures clear communication around our goals and keep us updated on the markets and any tax issues that may affect us. We are on track to reach our goals and couldn't have gotten there without the guidance of the team at One Degree.
I love working with this team. Philip is very attentive and knows what our goals and visions for our financial future are. He is very personable and and attentive! We feel well cared for with him. He truly loves what he does and his clients!
Alex and Matt do a wonderful job not only managing my investments but providing detail and valuable information and insight as to how they manage my investments
Alex and his team at One Degree Advisors are the best in the industry. I completely and totally have all the trust in them with all my life savings.
Outstanding financial planning and support! Truly a professional and caring group at One Degree.
Everyone at One Degree Advisors is working more for your success than theirs. They really care, and it pays for everyone.
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.