*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.*
1754 Technology Dr STE 108
San Jose, California 95110
We had a difficult case, being self-employed and with some credit issue to boot. Stephen was fantastic at working within these constraints, making the process as painless as possible, and in the end he delivered. Half a year later, Stephen was still watching out for us and was proactive about suggesting a refinance, which was so easy this time around that it felt like little more than boilerplate paperwork. Thanks Stephen, really appreciate it!
Stephen has done several loans for us. He is the best agent we've ever had. We used to work with banks directly, due to several bad experiences with other loan agents. Until we found Stephen, he made the whole process a lot easier than dealing with banks directly. He's very trust worthy, always keep customer's benefits at first. He's also very creative. We have complicated cases that he knows how to work them through. He has great insights into real estate investment area. A great source to go to!
Stephen had been my loan agents for 5 years. He helped me through my first home purchase, as well as my refinancing. He is thorough and detailed oriented. When I was buying my first house, he not only provided me professional mortgage services and recommendations but also share his real estate experiences with me so I could also get second opinion from him. Whenever I need him, he is always there to help and I feel like he works 24/7...:P I highly recommend him to you.
I can't recall the exact number of refinances I did my two houses in L.A. with Stephen. It must have been in the teens. Why I choose Stephen? Because he is fast, responsive, and truthful. And best of all, he's got extremely competitive rates. Working with Stephen is super easy. I don't need to see him at all. Everything is simply through phone and email. And what's convenient is he salvages your information from the previous refinance. That saves a lot hassle and privacy. I also like it how every time he i
Stephen has been our loan agent for a long time. He did refinance for both our primary house and investment properties multiple time. He is very knowledgeable as what lenders are looking for and very thorough during the process. On top of it, he offers the best rate!
Stephen is very reliable, trustworthy agent who will give the best mortgage service to his clients. I have gone to him for mortgage services always and will always come back to him in the future. He works very hard to meet clients' needs and go beyond other agent to explain, update, get the best rate at the right time. In summary, client will be very satisfied with his service and come back again to him.
Stephen has been amazingly patient with me. I'm not a first time buyer but this was my first time buying alone and it's been 4 years since my last loan. I have been extremely nervous about this process and have been talking with Stephen since July and only now closing my loan. He worked with me and was patient as I was stuck trying to make up my mind on what to do and he was extremely honest about what he thought was a good deal or not such a great deal. He was helpful even when he thought he might not end
Stephen is an exceptional loan broker. He promptly answers my emails, even during late hours. He closed escrow on my latest refinance under very stressful circumstances, delivering earlier than the required deadline. His explanation of everything is always very clear and concise, alleviating you of any concerns you may have. I would definitely recommend him to anyone, 100% guaranteed.
I highly recommend Stephen for his exceptional service. I got my first home in April. It was a nervous wracking experience for me, but Stephen was very helpful and responsive to calm me down and guide me through every step. He looked out for my best interest and got me a very competitive rate. I look forward to do refi through him in the near future and I have already told my friends about his services.
I know Stephen by volunteering on Chinese School. He did not market his mortgage business at all. But he impressed me by his helpful attitude on that 2 hours. I got his phone number and wrote down his job in my contact list. Some months later, I wanted to refinance so that I thought about him all a sudden even I can't remember what he looks like. And I actually have good friends who are working in the same industry. Stephen would beat all other loan agents coz he emailed or text you back even after 11pm
I'm sure Stephen is a good lender however I didn't have a great experience with him. I had a complicated situation with a rental property I own. And without looking into the details, Stephen just told us to sell our rental property so it'd be easier to get a loan. Um, obviously it would be easier to just get rid of any debt. I needed help looking into if we could make this work and what we could get approved for. 3 stars is a little high for the laziness I experienced but I didn't want to rate lower.
Stephen helped us refi our house in Nov. 2013. I found him on Yelp and I was very skeptical before I made the first call. But it turned out he is the best loan agent that I have ever had. We locked the rate on the second day after we talked and we had it closed within 3 weeks. He is very responsive and sometimes he replies emails around 10pm which impressed me alot. Our previous loan was FHA and we paid almost 4 years mortgage insurance but now we finally got rid of it and we are so happy! I don't think we
Stephen has helped me refinance my home loan many times. He also helped me get a new home loan. Stephen is efficient, gives good advice and puts his client's interests first. I highly recommend him.
Stephen at Bayone was extremely helpful through our entire refinance, and worked tirelessly to get the best rate and to give us advice on what to do. He was very responsive to all inquires and even recommenced a property insurance company that was able to save us several hundreds of dollars a year. Overall the experience was top-notch and I'd highly recommend Stephen for transactions in the future (and we'll use him on our next re-fi)
I found Stephen from yelp few months back. He helped me got my first home..He had done excellent job. He helped me get the best rate and cover all my closing cost.. I am very happy with his service. He always response me anytime, answer my phone call, and email. If I have any questions since I am first time home buyers, he always there answer my questions. I feel very comfortable with him once I start working with him. The list of questions that I had such, what escrow fee, title fee dees, county/city tran
I've known Stephen for over 12 years and he has done most (if not all) of my family's loans, home purchases/sales and refinances. He is my go-to agent for all things real estate... and, because he is so amazing, he is now the sole agent to many of my friends and coworkers. Stephen's Top 3 attributes: 1. Efficient - He gets things done and gets them done quickly. My last transaction was a townhome sale and it could not have been more complex. I was in Asia, my business partner was in the States, there w
Of all the real estate loan agents I have contacted, I'd like to recommend Stephen Wong who has helped me the most. He is extremely helpful, knowledgeable and always reachable (even at late hours). Stephen offers no closing cost on refinance and purchase loan. Lender/his team can credit all the title, escrow and appraisal fees for you.
I have a temporary job and no banks would approve my loan, luckily my friend referred Stephen to me. Stephen tried three different banks and got my loan approved with the best interest rate. He is SUPER FAST in replying back through email.
Stephen Wong has been helping me for both new loan and refinancing. He always does his best to give me the best rate. Also he is very patient to explain what I don't understand. He knows what he is doing. I saved a lot of money during last 5 years. Highly recommended!!!
Stephen worked blazingly fast and delivered his job in high quality and timely manner. He is a very genuine person and I can assure you that he doesn't work to get your business, but to help you with your financial situation. Go call him now! 100% satisfaction guaranteed!
he is bi-lingual, chinese and english, very pro, thorough followup and instant response on every single email/text. you sent him an email at 1am, he replied at 1:01am. no matter big or small loan amount, you will get the same attention and outstanding service. once you closed one deal via him, you will stick with him. Last week done on the refi of my investment condo and just refer him to my son's purchase.
My friend recommended Stephen to me as my first loan agent; he had concerned my best interests and quick replies to my questions. Thanks to him for my first successful loan.
I called this place twice and I asked the same person what business they represented and he said ?sorry you got wrong numba? I don't know why he kept saying that ? then he hung up the phone ??. ? don't waist your time with people who don't represent the business they work for.. why wouldn't he just tell me what business he represents?!?!!?!? BIG RED FLAG!!!!! Good luck to you people !!!!!!!!!!
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.