Audit & Assurance Services

Audits, Reviews and Compilations

We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company's profitability and efficiency. We provide financial reporting on all three levels of assurance:

*Audit - an intensive examination with the highest level of assurance

*Review - some analytical procedures conducted with limited assurance

*Compilation - based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use. Compilation services are not designed to provide any assurance regarding the information contained within the financial statements.

Examinations & Agreed-Upon Procedures

Clients frequently are required to demonstrate contractual or other compliance with regard to financial information outside the scope of audits, reviews, or compilations. We can provide both examination and agreed-upon procedures services, which carry differing levels of assurance:

*Examination – an attestation engagement designed to provide the highest level of assurance that we can provide on a subject matter or assertion.

*Agreed-upon Procedures - an attestation engagement in which we agree to perform specific procedures for a specified party and issue a report that is restricted to use by that party.  In an agreed-upon procedures engagement, the appopriateness and sufficiency of the procedures are the responsibility of the responsible party (not the certified public accountant).

Financial Forecasts & Projections

Forecasting is a necessity when trying to effectively manage and lead a business to profitability. From simple projections to complex financial modeling, our experienced staff can assist you in achieving your company's financial goals.

Pension & Profit Sharing Plans

Qualified retirement plans (e.g. defined-contribution or defined benefit plans, ESOP’s, health & welfare plans, etc.) can provide significant tax advantages for closely held businesses and self-employed individuals. Our qualified staff can assist you in evaluating the type of pension plan that will best serve the retirement needs of you and your employees. Additionally, we have the necessary technical training and proficiencies to perform both limited-scope and full-scope audits in accordance with Department of Labor (DOL) regulations.

AASHTO

Many of our engineering clients are required to comply with annual indirect cost audits, in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines. We have significant experience with auditing according to the guidelines set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the AASHTO Guide, with a keen understanding of the direct/indirect costs determination, as well as guidance around allowable/unallowable costs. Additionally, we are very familiar with the Caltrans independent review process, as our audits have undergone multiple reviews by Caltrans in recent years, with no changes.

Tax Services

Tax Planning & Preparation

Tax planning and preparation form a winning combination for our successful individual and business clients. Whether you are an individual or a multi-tiered partnership, our experienced partners and staff can develop tax strategies that take advantage of new tax laws and legislation.

Estate and Gift Planning

Effective estate and gift planning facilitates the orderly transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, provides security for your surviving spouse, and can reduce or eliminate the tax due on the transfer of your business and other assets. For business owners, providing for business continuity and succession of ownership is essential, and a vital component of managing your estate. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order.

Estate, Gift and Trust Tax Preparation

Estate, Gift and Trust tax preparation are very important aspects of your wealth management. Proper Estate, Gift and Trust tax preparation helps to preserve and protect your financial legacy. Our extensive experience in these areas will help to minimize the tax implications of these forms of wealth transfer.

IRS, FTB, and Other Tax Representation

From our years of experience dealing with many taxing authorities, we have achieved a level of competence that can ensure our clients they are being properly represented before the various federal and state tax agencies.

Consulting Services

Business Consulting

We gauge our worth by the personal and business successes of our clients. We can help your business identify areas negatively affecting profitability and growth and develop solutions that are practical and technically sound. In addition to acting as a sounding board for management, we provide comprehensive, flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business. This may also include management advisory services, in which we help your company's management team develop long-term objectives and specific strategies to facilitate your business' future growth and success.

Business Succession Planning

Effective coordination of the transition of your business to your successors is critical to ensure its continued success once you decide to remove yourself from the company's day to day operations. With a solid background in tax and other financial matters, we are fully qualified to address the complex issues of business continuation and can assist you in developing a strategically sound plan.

Business Entity Selection

Choosing the form of entity of your business (e.g. corporation, sole proprietor, “S” corporation, partnership, limited liability company…) is a crucial decision that can have longstanding tax implications, positive or negative. We can assist you in evaluating the pros and cons of each entity type to help you determine the most advantageous form of business for your company.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Finding the right business partner for your company can be a difficult task. We can assist you in the merger or acquisition process by assessing such critical elements as tax considerations; product/service compatibility; competitive tactics and position; financial impact; and cash flow considerations.

Fraud Prevention & Detection

We use accounting and auditing skills to provide an analysis of financial records in conjunction with fraud and theft investigation. Our damage measurement methods can determine the extent of financial loss and illegal accounting practices.

Business Valuation & Litigation Services

Business Valuations

Whether you are thinking of buying or selling a business or are in the midst of a difficult divorce, the amount attached to the value of your business is important. We can provide useful and objective analysis to assist you in the valuation of any business in which you have an interest. Our firm has multiple professionals who have obtained the CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst) designation, qualifying them to perform business valuations. Our experience and level of competence allows us the opportunity to function as expert witnesses in such cases.

Forensic Accounting & Litigation Support

Litigation support involves the quantification of economic damages pursuant to existing or pending litigation using accounting and auditing techniques. We have experienced competent professionals who can compile information efficiently to assist in the calculation and documentation of any potential economic loss or damages. Our experience and level of competence allows us the opportunity to function as expert witnesses in such cases.

Family Law

We are committed to providing the utmost professional service in a commonly stressful service area. Our firm provides litigation support services to attorneys and their clients in various aspects of family law, including but not limited to: cash flow analyses for the purposes of determining income for support, community property analyses, and valuation, as well as other related analyses, valuations, and calculations. Our level of competence allows us the opportunity to function as expert witnesses in such cases.