VJF Certified Public Accountant

I had been using the same «tax guy» for years. Nothing special, nothing bad, just a plain olé’ CPA who’d fill in the blanks, print a few forms, have me sign a check or two and say, «See you next year. Stay out of trouble, OK.» Then he’d laugh himself senseless like he just heard the world’s funniest joke. Well, as luck would have it, he died earlier this year. Good thing too, I owed him $ 200! J/​K!
I found myself in need of a new CPA. I’m an independent contractor so my taxes are a little more complicated than the average W2 and I knew I should be paying fewer taxes than what I had been. A colleague mentioned I use «his guy», Vic at VJF CPA’s in Tarzana. «How old is he?» I asked. I don’t need another CPA dying on me. «He’s our age, dude. He’s a cool guy. Call him, trust me.» So I called him, explained my situation and made an appointment. He sent me a list of items I should bring with me; receipts, statements, forms, blah, blah, blah. Gathered all my stuff and showed up to his office.
I thought I was going to find one of those shoe box type offices where all you see is a tiny desk, with tons of folders stacked everywhere and a little guy buried behind it. I was very wrong. Big, bright, professional office with real employees, office machines and phones that actually get answered by a receptionist; some hot Asian chick! Japanese perhaps, maybe Hawaiian.
Spent a couple of hours with Vic and he asked me a lot of questions that my «other (dead) guy» never did. Right there I knew I found my new CPA. He found deductions left and right; stuff I never knew I can «right off». When it was all said and done, I ended up owing the IRS close to 7 G’s. He told me he’d finish up all the little details over the next couple of days and send me the returns via scan/​email (gotta love technology).
Because I had filed an extension earlier in the year, had till October 15 to have my returns postmarked. As the days got closer and hadn’t heard from Vic, I gave him a call kinda panicked. He said, «Don’t worry. I may have found another deduction that can save you a lot. I’ll have the signature pages for you before the deadline.»
Sure enough, Friday the 14^th, he calls me and says I now owe only $ 3500!!! CHA-​CHIIIIING!!! or is it KA-​CHIIIIIIING? Either way its sweet!!!
Vic, you really made my day man! Saving me over 3K in taxes was the best news I’d heard since hearing that McDonald’s is bringing the McRib back!
All joking aside fellow Unilocalers, Vic at VJF is truly a professional, trustworthy, hardworking CPA who looks after his clients. Is he the cheapest? No. But he’s not the priciest either. He charged me a little more than what my other guy charged but ended up saving me a ton! I’m a client for life!