Although they did a good job with my filing last year, this year has been a total disappointment. I contacted them by the end of January to get an early kickstart and avoid leaving this to the last minute. They asked me to send the documents as soon as they were available. After a while, when asked if they needed anything else, the answer I received in March was, "We will know when the returns are being prepared." meaning they didn't start at all. As a follow-up, I asked them if it would take some time; I could try to find someone else while there was still time. So surprisingly their response was, "Feel free to find someone else". This last response summarizes how they value their clients. I only gave them an additional star because they managed the situation better last year. If you're an individual client, avoid them at all costs. read more

Brandon was so helpful and generous with his advice. He explained my financial situation and options in detail. He was very efficient and knowledgeable with his answers. Looks like I have a new CPA moving into the future! He's is wonderful! Thanks again Brandon! read more

My wife and I just got married last year, and between filing jointly for the first time, dealing with corporate stock issues, and understanding our new withholdings, we were feeling pretty overwhelmed when tax time came. We reached out to Brandon with Books In Balance, and we're really glad that we did. He was super clear, communicative, and professional. Books In Balance helped us get our return in order and e-filed before the due date. They were also able to explain the mechanics of how things came out, and we came away feeling not only were our taxes done right but that we've now got some professionals in our corner. Will not hesitate to use BIB again as the need arises, and would recommend them without reservation. read more

f you are looking for a team to straighten out your books, you've come to the right place. My bookkeeper of many years had to quit due to a serious illness. I was desperate to find someone to do my books for 2022 on which I had fallen behind. I could not have been happier with the choice I made.... Books In Balance. I was impressed from the first meeting. They were friendly, courteous and thorough in dealing with my information. Brandon Dante is a joy to work with, He selected a team member and an assistant who were assigned to focus on my situation and in a short time they had the figures needed to itemize and file my taxes. They, too, were wonderful to work with. Brandon operates with a spirit of friendliness as well as a sense of humor which takes the edge off the tediousness of the task. Books In Balance is absolutely THE BEST! read more

Brandon did a wonderful job on my husband's and my taxes for years. He understood the intricacies of stock options and retirement plans, and he helped us to avoid certaintaxes with advice during the calendar year, as well. His office is Covid-safe, professional and friendly. We highly recommend Books in Balance! read more

Went to Books in Balance last year when I lived in the area and it was very wonderful. Quick, easy and effortelessly and we even got some tips and tricks on how to maximize our returns through tax harvesting on our taxable investment acounts and all sorts of other goodies. I would highly recommend them if you don't want to spend time doing senseless math and ... well random thinking. read more

Run... I wasn't going to do this because they are small and my first year was pretty good but still expensive. BUT today I realized they have been sending emails harassing me to pay a bill I paid in MARCH 2020! I just received a $2700 bill as past due notice, that I did in fact PAY. Now I am wondering if I paid any other bills twice. For them not to be keeping track of their own billing as accountants is horrible. Doing business with them was a nightmare the last two years, they are always frantic, never have enough staff. I was also WAY over charged, my new accountant files my taxes for $600/yr and there is zero stress. They also fired me because they couldn't bother to email back what they needed to complete my taxes each year and accused ME of not doing my work. Guess what? New book keeper and no problems. I am sorry I stayed with them so long ugh... read more

Full disclosure: I started this review in 2018 (just realized I had never finished it!) and I didn't even use Books in Balance to prepare our taxes but there's a reason I'm writing this review. My wife and I called Brandon up in a panic on April 5 after our preliminary work in Turbotax indicated we were going to owe a heckuvalot more in taxes than we anticipated and we wanted an expert to double check our work before filing. Understanding that any good tax preparer is going to be super slammed right about now, we called anyway to see what could be done. As I suspected Brandon was very busy but spent 20 mins on the phone, reviewing high level figures with us, and in the process discovered some entries within Turbotax that might need revision. While we still ended up owing more than we would have liked, his guidance saved us from further misery and he did so with no obligation. If he's this courteous, thoughtful, and empathetic to non-customers, I have no doubt he'd be at least the same for his customers. Thank you Brandon. read more

I had an accountant in San Francisco for the last 20 years who helped me file all necessary documents for me and my business. He retired last year, and I had to find a new company to do the same great work. Thankfully I found Books In Balance and Brandon in San Rafael. He has done wonderful work so far. He spent a good amount of time to understand my business needs. His staff are very friendly and professional. read more

Brandon here was amazing in helping my wife and I file our taxes for our special circumstances as we just got married but have to file separately and navigating all the other needs that we had. He was very knowledgeable and able to explain each step of the process. I would definitely use him again to file our taxes if I need someone to do that again for us. read more

Books in Balance were local, responsive, and have reasonable rates. They have been great so far! I will update this review once we have worked together more. read more

Brandon ,David and Karen are the best! They have been doing my books and taxes for eight years very professionally, with great turnaround time and I believe their prices are very reasonable for what they offer. read more

Since I have started my business, Brandon and all staff of Book in Balance helped me a lot from setting an account in QuickBooks, teaching me how to use it, answering so many business beginner's questions, and of course, filing taxes. They are very professional, helpful, and friendly. Even English is my second language, they always try to understand me. Their office is clean, professional, and organized. I recommend Books in Balance to any local San Rafael business owners. read more

Highly recommended. Brandon was friendly, speedy, thorough, obviously very knowledgeable, and perhaps best of all, a patient and clear communicator. I've tried other tax services in the San Rafael area over the years - believe me, I've been taken for a ride by up-front retainers and shoddy attention to detail - and I can say, hands-down, Books in Balance is the real deal. None of the shenanigans. Honest to goodness service. And being greeted by the office pup was an added bonus. :) read more

Terrific service and great people. We are delighted with their help and professional approach.

THESE GUYS WORK LONG DISTANCE & ARE VERY REASONABLE TOO ! After downsizing my company and moving it to the Washington, D.C. area I was in no mood to change my accounting firm. Thank God I didn't have to thanks to a group of little known services offered by Books in Balance. We were able to live transition to Rockville Md and not loose one transaction, data update and was able to setup a new payroll and disbursement system with new and sweeping changes in state requirements and client needs. Our bookkeeping and accounting program has never been in better shape! This type of firm is the best resource for a any company in an ever changing business environment when we must adapt quickly to opportunities in the market as well as its expansions and contractions... I recommend Books in Balance because thy are good at what they do and they HEAR, PROCESS and PRODUCE. read more

I would recommend Brandon to everyone I know. He is extremely competent and scrupulous. He was able to quickly grasp my financial situation and offer options for me to reduce my taxes and manage my funds. On top of that his rates are way less than most accountants. He is super personable and I felt very comfortable talking to him and asking questions, which he was able to answer. He is a real find!!!! Dana V. read more

Books in Balance took over our accounting a few years back. I run a very small business with one employee and our accounting both before and after working with Brandon, at Books in Balance was $200 to $250 dollars per month. With Books in Balance it ran over 4 times that high. The thing that made that so bad is that they did no accounting for a 6 month period and then did it all in a bundle so we were totally blind-sided by the extermely high charges. The delay in billing was unexpected, of course for an accounting firm. A very bad experience overall! read more

Brandon is just the best! Finding Books in Balance was one of the things that happened to me this year! Brandon dived right in to helping me with everything involving my taxes. I am grateful for all Brandon's help and I highly recommend Books in Balance! read more

I was so pleasantly surprised to stumble across Brandon and his business. I won a gift certificate in a raffle and just happened to need some accounting help. Brandon was so attentive, personable, sharp and overall, I received such a warm, welcoming vibe. He is honest and sincere and is not out to gouge anyone. His prices are reasonable and he just is so willing to help and find the best solutions for your business and/or taxes. He really knows his stuff. I will definitely be using him again in the future. If you are in the market for a fantastic accountant, without a doubt, Brandon is your guy. read more

Brandon is such a nice person and his knowledge helped me get my taxes right. Books in Balance will be the place I go from now on and BTW thanks again for answering all my questions ! read more

I would recommend Brandon to anyone who needs help with their taxes! Brandon is knowledgeable, friendly, timely and professional. This year I had particularly confusing taxes. He did my taxes quickly, explained everything to me clearly, and answered all my questions patiently. He even found mistakes that had been made (not in my favor) in past taxes. He is also very willing to answer questions as they come up. I had a question about a W4 today and he was able to help me right away. I am so glad I have found him and am very happy to recommend him! read more

Brandon and team did a great job for us. Cleaned up our books and set in place a solid ap and ar process we could do ourselves. Reports are running clean and it didn't cost us an arm and leg to get our quickbooks accounting practices dialed in. read more

Brandon was knowledgeable, kind and quick to respond to my questions. I feel so relieved that he did my taxes this year... I will be completing my taxes with him from now on. read more