Loading...

Please wait ...

Find a Tax Accountant in Los Angeles

Where do you need Tax Accountants?

Go
Techcrunch
New York Times
USA Today
Cosmopolitan
Harpers Bazaar

Need to find a Tax Accountant in Los Angeles?

We’ll connect you with the best Tax Accountants in Los Angeles in minutes. Start your search and get free quotes today! 

Whether you’re looking for quotes or you’re ready to hire, or if you’d like to speak with some Los Angeles-based Tax Accountants, we can help.

First time looking for a Tax Accountant and not sure where to start? Let us do the legwork for you. Tell us about your project and we’ll send you a list of Tax Accountants in Los Angeles to review.  

There’s no pressure to hire, so you can compare profiles, read previous reviews and ask for more information before you make your decision.

Best of all - it’s completely free!

1

Tell us what you need

We’ll help you find qualified Tax Accountants in Los Angeles. Whether you're navigating finances for the entertainment industry, managing rental properties, or growing a small business, tell us your requirements and we’ll contact top-rated professionals in your area.

2

Receive free quotes

You’ll receive free, no-obligation quotes from licensed CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and CTEC-registered preparers serving the LA area. Get quick notifications via our website or app. We make sure we do the legwork for you!

3

Choose your local tax accountant

Pick from some of the best tax experts in LA. With easy access to reviews from fellow Angelenos and direct contact with tax accountants, you can be confident with your choice.

Discover tax accountants near you in Los Angeles

Hiring a professional for tax preparation can help you navigate LA's and California's complex tax laws, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize your return. The price depends on the complexity of your tax situation and the type of professional you hire.

What is a financial planner?

A financial planner helps you create a comprehensive strategy to achieve your long-term financial goals, such as retirement, investments, and debt management.

While an accountant is looking backwards and at a snapshot of the present, a financial planner is looking forward to the future.

A financial planner uses the data provided by your accountant, along with your personal goals, to build a long-term strategy. Their focus is forward-looking: growing your wealth and ensuring you are financially secure in the future.

In summary, you need an accountant for tax, compliance, and historical reporting. You need a financial planner for future wealth growth, investment strategy, and long-term goal planning. Using both ensures that your financial present is managed efficiently and your financial future is strategically planned.

What is the difference between a bookkeeper, an accountant and a CPA?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between a bookkeeper, an accountant, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in terms of their roles, qualifications, and scope of work.

A bookkeeper is responsible for the day-to-day recording of a company's financial transactions, such as sales, purchases, and payments. They maintain the general ledger, ensuring records are accurate and up-to-date. An accountant then uses this data to analyze the bigger financial picture, preparing financial statements, performing audits, and offering insights into the company's financial health. Essentially, bookkeeping is about recording data, while accounting is about interpreting and reporting it.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an accountant licensed by the California Board of Accountancy (CBA). To earn this designation in LA, they must meet rigorous state requirements, including advanced education, extensive experience, and passing both the demanding Uniform CPA Examination and the California Professional Ethics Exam (PETH). This license grants them legal authority that other accountants and bookkeepers do not have, such as the ability to audit public companies and represent clients before tax authorities. The CPA designation signifies the highest standard of competence and ethical practice in the accounting profession, positioning them as trusted financial advisors capable of handling complex financial and tax matters.

Understanding the cost of tax professionals in Los Angeles

The cost of hiring an accountant, tax preparer, or financial planner in Los Angeles varies significantly based on the professional's credentials, location, and the complexity of your financial situation. As one of the country's major metropolitan areas, expect costs in LA to be higher than the national and even the California state average. To get an accurate price, it is always best to request quotes from several qualified professionals.

How much does a tax accountant cost in Los Angeles?

Based on recent Bark data, the typical cost for individual tax preparation in the Los Angeles area ranges from $260 to $500, with an average of around $400.

Some tax accountants work on an hourly rate, which on average in LA can range from $125 to $350+.

Like any professional service, the cost of an accountant is based on a variety of factors. The complexity of your tax return is one of the biggest contributing factors. Here are some sample price points you might find in Los Angeles:

  • Simple Return: A basic W-2 and state filing may cost around $100 - $175.
  • Standard Return: A W-2 with additional common forms (e.g., 1099-INT for interest, 1098-E for student loan interest) might cost approximately $250 - $350.
  • Complex Return: For taxpayers with investment transactions, rental properties, K-1 income, or a simple small business, the cost could be around $450 - $650.
  • Highly Complex Return: Taxpayers with multiple rental properties, small businesses, and numerous stock transactions can expect to pay $700 or more.

It’s also worth remembering that the overall cost will be influenced by the preparer's qualifications. In California, tax attorneys and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) generally charge the most, followed by Enrolled Agents (EAs). Non-credentialed preparers must be registered with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) and have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS.

For more information read our cost of tax preparation guide.

Join the thousands of people who have found tax accountants with Bark

We connect you with the best tax preparers near you in minutes, providing free quotes to help you get started. With no pressure to hire, you can compare profiles, read reviews, and gather information to find the right professional for your needs.


Other popular locations

Reviews

4.86/5.00

based on 3,154 reviews

The average rating for Bark Tax Accountants in Los Angeles is 4.86, based on 3,154 reviews.

Get quotes from Tax Accountants in Los Angeles