CFO Rick

CFO Rick … never encountered such a business in my entire life. I was exploring for the search of an account to help identify tax savings for my 2015 return in May 2015. Many of the accountants were offering some type of trial service to show what the potential tax savings could be, and many were taking free consultations. Rick offered to prepare a tax projection, which he returned a few days later. There was some back and forth, and when I asked for follow-​up, I did not hear back from him. In fact, I felt that that he had done enough work to win my business and I told him that I would choose him to be my tax preparer. Did not hear from him again on the follow-​up or on any communication chain until 12÷26÷15 that showed an invoice for $ 190 that was due 10÷27÷15. How could there be an invoice that was past due when I did not even receive the first invoice or this projection was completed without me agreeing to a fee??? I asked him where we discussed the fee and he told me it was over the phone. There was NO MENTION of a fee for this work. Why would I agree to letting someone do my taxes before figuring out if they had the capabilities to do it well? He sent me two more invoices on January 8 and February 3, during which I was asking where this fee was discussed and where the work could even be considered complete (if there was a fee for it) when the follow-​up was never answered. Of which, he could point to none, but states that he will report me to collections and impact my credit score if I did not pay him. In fact, when I asked him to call me, he stated that they only work 9 – 6 and I had to call him. I called him the next day, and paid the fee in exchange for him shredding my documents (in both physical and digital format) and the company agreeing to not contact me any further. This was a TERRIBLE experience, honestly the worst I have had in my entire life, and I wanted people to have a disclosure before entering into any type of discussion with this Company.
I am a Corporate Banker and the $ 190 was not the driving factor behind my review. It was the interaction I had with a very suspect company. I had to ask the Company to shred my documents because as accountants are supposed to be fiduciaries of trust, I did not want this Company to have access to my information any further. I ended up paying the fee not because I thought he was correct, I just wanted to eliminate this negative situation and move on.

This man knows what he is talking about and will give you honest information. He reviewed my previous tax returns and concluded that my current CPA was doing a fine job and was cheaper. Amazing. After that we discussed possible investments that I was considering and he had excellent advice and things to think about. I will definitely be calling him to discuss future business and personal investments. If my CPA drops the ball or I am not happy with his service (the main reason I went to Rick in the first place), CFO Rick will be my first and only stop.

Rick is very patient and explains everything along the way. He makes you feel comfortable no matter what your financial situation is.
Keeps you updated throughout the year
Communicates very well.

After filing my 2011 taxes, I contacted CFO Rick to help me correct an error on my 2010 taxes. His office responded immediately to schedule an appointment that week. Rick personally called to cancel my appointment because he was going out of town. I have now contacted their office 3 times to reschedule, and have not gotten a response. While initially impressed, ultimately a disappointing experience. I suggest taking your business somewhere else.

The service that CFO rick and his team give is exceptional. The IRS had an issue with my ammended return. Rick, the owner of the company actually got on the phone with the IRS and conferenced me in. I would have never been able to do this on my own. The IRS person was not the easiest to deal with. Rick was able to get the situation resolved and was very calm and cheerful during the entire interaction. I would highly reccomend CFO rick ifyou are looking for EXCELLENT Service and someone to be your advocate with the IRS.

These guys seem great so far. I found them on Gilt City, and it worked out better than I could have imagined. They are very attentive and patient, truly seem interested in building a long term relationship, and they also seem trustworthy. Without the coupon they’re probably not super cheap, but I consider this to be a good investment.

This is my first year using CFO Rick. He has had my information for a month and has never given me an update. Ten days before tax day he promised a list of questions for me to answer. I never got them. I have called and emailed numberous times and had no response. The only way to reach anyone is to speed dial the office until someone picks up. It is now tax day and I have no idea if my return will be filed or if I owe money. He is the most irresponsible, unresponsive professional I have ever encountered — never met a lawyer, doctor, dentist, hair dresser, manicurist, dog trainer, pest control, dang comcast is better. Save yourself the stress and don’t go near this guy.

magically, my review disappeared from this site. Imagine that. I’m posting this update so that potential clients of CFO Rick are warned.

The owner has zero interpersonal skills, tact or ethics. If you’re looking for a reliable person for fiscal help, you won’t find it here. Be warned, the owner isn’t someone you want to trust with your finances.

Rick has been working on my personal taxes for a few years now. He has always provided excellent advice and service. Over the years I have increasingly given him and his team more responsibility with also the finances of my small business and family members’ taxes. The team has taken very good care of everything I have asked of them — all with great attention to detail, professionalism, and a pleasant attitude.

I have been a client of CFO Rick since 2003. He has helped me through my tax problems and managing my finances better — and I am an individual. I receive reminders for when to make appointments for doing my tax returns, when I have had quarterly payments, and even when there are tax information that applies to my situation. Overall, I am extremely happy with CFO Rick’s services. Rick and his staff are very personable and dedicated. No client is too small. Thanks Rick and Staff for your hard work.

I’m starting to think that Brett has something personal against Rick (and frankly it makes me wonder about his judgment of Rick’s professionalism). While his first review seemed like he was just trying be helpful, his latest update is more revealing of his real agenda. I hate it when people use Unilocal to take personal shots at. Other readers, beware.

I am now going though my second year in business and first with a new accounting/​bookkeeping team. Last year my quarterly reporting took 14 hours and cost me upwards of $ 750 with about 75 invoices total. This year it cost me just over $ 175 and took all of 2.25 hours for over 500 invoices. The kicker for me was when I called the state and they told me that I didn’t even need to file a quarterly return, my sales were too low. Thanks CFO Rick!
I really do hope that Rick has refined his ways but I was very unhappy with his services. Things got worse when I would question him about the charges which were never itemized on the bill.
His team totally botched my payroll which I had to pay someone else to clean up at the end of the year. He even got petty on me and did not send in my deposit to the state because he had not been paid (since he had not broken down his charges to anything more than «clean up»). I would send emails pleading to have charges explained other than «clean up» which seemed difficult given that he only had access to my CC bills and bank statements. They were often returned at midnight with veiled threats and once I believe he fired me for simply asking about the bill. What a blessed customer base to have where nobody even questions a charge or ask what work had been done. It was not until I quit that I received a copy of all my paperwork and returns.
Another great time was our two hour meeting where I was asking about how to clean up the data. He billed me for every second but seemed to deviate into realms I had not thought of going. I really appreciated the state wide list of sales tax rates but as I explained 99% of my business is in SF, it was not really necessary — add 15 minutes to the bill.
Probably the queerest thing about Rick is that he took my computer to work on my files rather than asking me to email the file (which I have been doing with my new accountant with relative ease). Three people even checked their personal email on my computer. Perhaps his minions don’t even have their own machines and need to use the clients.
I lost sleep over this relationship and I am doing my best to keep the Unilocal community from losing any of theirs. He sucked every dime of profit out of a fledgling business for the first two years. Don’t let it happen to you.
FYI– I am not sure who is writing under my name but it ain’t me.

I am a new client of CFORick for Tax year 2007. I had always done my own taxes because I’M CHEAP. Really. I didn’t see the need to pay someone to do what Turbo Tax does. Wrong! Oh my god, Rick took the reins and saved me bucks by doing a few simple changes to my payroll taxes. This year, I need to file estimated quarterly taxes (thanks to a good investment), and Rick popped up to help make sure I paid the right amount and get my forms in on time. Beyond all that, Rick is just a super nice guy. Sorry that Brett B. thought he was over-​charged … good service costs good money. As I continue my investments, I expect to use more of Rick’s services.