I switched to Stern & Associates and have been extremely happy with their service, communication, and attention to detail. Their fees are less than half what I was paying my previous preparer. I wanted to be sure my preparer had plenty of experience with LLCs and independent consulting practices; they've shown they really understand those issues. read more

RUN. RUN. RUN. Do not use this firm. We were originally quoted $500 for tax services. After they collected all of our documentation, the quote suddenly jumped to $1,100. When I politely asked for a quick call to understand what drove the price increase, I received dismissive, three-word responses and no real explanation. The interaction felt incredibly unprofessional and disrespectful. If a tax advisor treats potential clients this way during the onboarding process, it raises SERIOUS concerns about how they handle their actual work and client relationships. I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere. read more

Update: Apparently, this has been sitting in my drafts for a couple years, I believed it to be posted. Sadly, Andrew and Linda retired in 2019 and we haven't received the same level of service from the new owners. As someone else said, it's become very impersonal. I'm pretty organized and not a particularly high maintenance client I think, but Carol very quickly lost interest in communicating. I'd ask questions and ask for advice and Carol really doesn't want to tell me anything, it's as though communicating with clients is an imposition. There are times I've asked the office staff why a certain thing they're requested was necessary, they just kept asking for it, not taking the short amount of time it would take to tell me why. Furthermore, there have been multiple errors that I've caught over recent years, many of them careless and silly. A couple of them were more serious; when we moved, we updated our address with them, and they inputed it wrong and did not fix it, multiple times, leaving out our apartment number. This resulted in us not receiving a letter from the IRS. Once, they had us down as receiving a refund, when actually we owed some money, because Carol had us down as receiving a credit we weren't eligible for/had already received in another way. Shouldn't an accountant know better than us? We never knew we owed anything due to the address error, until the next year, when our return was decreased. I asked Carol why, and she said "I wouldn't know"! I had to call the IRS to find out why, and when I asked Carol how it happened that she said we were getting a refund when we owed something, she didn't answer me. If I'm going to pay a significant amount of money for a service, I expect better. I gave them a chance for a few years, and now I'm trying elsewhere. read more

We've used Stern & Associates and Linda Liebschutz was excellent! Thorough, very knowledgeable, professional, very responsive. We since then moved out of state then the new owners retained the business name and took over. We relocated back to the Bay Area and used Stern & Associates again under new management. We were extremely disappointed - communication was spotty and abrupt/snarky at times, there were gross mistakes(!) on our return, and yet we were charged 3-4x what Andrew Stern would've billed us. Am on Yelp looking for a new tax accountant and thought to give you reader fair warning. read more

Worked with Andrew Stern for years and he was great. We trusted that the couple who took over his business would be skilled as well. NOPE. Didn't file our taxes until OCTOBER, despite our getting the materials to them on time and paying top dollar. Look elsewhere! read more

Echoing other recent reviews: Andy Stern did an excellent, no-problem job with our taxes for decades. Then he sold the business to new owners. Bad experience. Low interpersonal, accuracy, and communication skills. Mistakes are understandable, but seeing how frequently they are mentioned by other reviews is concerning read more

Sort by recent reviews! Andy was great for over 20 years, but we got a BIG PENALTY because of the new owner. When I forwarded the Franchise Tax Board letter to Michael, he delayed one month, then when I followed up he just blamed us and cut off all communication when we were on a deadline to fix the situation. RUN AWAY. read more

After Michael Fullam took over the business, I had a super urgent request that we mutually agreed for a fixed price. He upped the price knowing I was desperate by a multiple of five and wouldn't give me my filings unless I paid the new price. I paid it but this memory was so negatively memorable that I will always stay far away. What a jerk. Would never recommend. read more

PLEASE NOTE: Andrew Stern (who did a great job for us off and on since 1997) sold the business and he is NOT affiliated with Stern & Associates any longer. My husband and I got our taxes done by Michael Fullam, presumedly a new owner of the business. He could not have been any more smarmy and rude. He nickel and dimed us for everything he did. He does NOT give complimentary initial consultations as Andrew did, and if HE doesn't make something clear and as a result, a mistake is made (as was done in our case), he'll charge you an additional fee to fix what HE did incorrectly. He has not updated his workbooks to reflect certain deductions that you can select, which then requires more back and forth with him, which equals paying him each time. As it turned out in the end, there was absolutely not a damn thing he did that was anything we couldn't have done ourselves - instead, we essentially paid him to sign at the bottom of our return. NEVER, NEVER AGAIN. read more

Next time I'll use TurboTax instead... Andrew Stern is full of excuses and happily places the blame on the clients when it comes down to the wire. "You waited too long", "it's crush time now" and other colloquialisms are tossed into their official emails along with a clear disregard for punctuation, capitalization, and tact. My wife and I were looking for a reliable accountant to help us do our taxes this year (for the first time, filing as married and with a joint income). We were recommended by a friend who had used their services before. As they filed our return they first told us we owed over $13.5k --- we reviewed it ourselves after they prepared it the first time around and realized they had made a mistake and left out important information regarding our mileage driven for work and vehicle expenses. After pointing it out to them, our return dropped down to $10k --- that's an "oversight" of $3500. Andrew himself referred to this error as an "oversight" (hence the quotation marks). When we pointed it out to them they revised our joint return without even addressing that we had discovered a huge error in their calculations. If we are paying them a hefty fee (about $700), shouldn't they be the one to catch an error this significant? Oh wait, no, he just told us that we're supposed to be doing that... checking THEIR work for them. I guess I'll keep their $fee for myself and buy a TurboTax cd with it for next year. We had to email them multiple times in a more stern tone of voice to even get something close that resembled an apology from Andrew Stern. HIs excuse "we're down to the wire, working 7 days a week for 12 hours every day". He even said they have "2 pairs of eyes on every return". Okay, so not one but TWO professional accountants missed an error of $3500?? That's promising. If they are too busy they should NOT be taking on new clients or even taking clients calls. As professionals, you should not be misrepresenting your ability to take on new clients when you can't handle the work load you've already acquired. Greedy for money, not accuracy. Look elsewhere. read more

FIRST AND FOREMOST: I've been working with Andy -- and his associate Nancy -- for, YIKES! -- 20-plus years. How can that be? AND IN THAT TIME: In spite of my disorganized, mercurial, fantasy-based approach to accounting, they've always helped me figure it out, get it filed and paid easily. My wife Karen, who is a numbers person, first assumed that if I'd chosen to work with them they must be as flaky as me. It only took one meeting with Andy and one tax season for her to confidently, and happily, hand things over. THIS IS FOR NANCY: --- Thanks for your diligence, attention to detail, friendly persistence, disarming candor and wonderful humor, even on deadline. --- Thanks for replying to emails at 5:30 a.m. I still bet you sleep through June. --- Thanks for reminding me, pleasantly, each and every year for the past who-knows-how-many-years, to include the miles for my car. I never remember that --- Thanks for presenting options and variables in a way that 1) makes the choice understandable; and 2) doesn't make me feel like a dope for not having thought of it myself --- Thanks for that great, sultry, evocative whisky voice of yours. Seriously, if you every quit accounting you'll make a mint doing phone sex. FINALLY: We didn't need the extension. The SEP contribution and Fed refund are a wash so we just funded the SEP. I'll call ... read more

Some musician friends recommended Andy about 12 years ago, and I wouldn't go anywhere else. I had a VERY small nest egg when I was 26 (yikes, 11 years ago), and Andy kept trying to convince me to buy into the housing market. I was terrified, and didn't feel like I was mature enough to handle it. I also didn't feel like I had enough income to cover any kind of mortgage payment. After the second year of doing my taxes, he sat me down and ran an amortization schedule for a loan, figured out my property taxes and incidentals, and pushed that monthly figure under my nose to prove that I could swing it. After two evictions during the dot com years, I finally took his advice. There is no way I could EVER afford to buy into the market now, and I thank god he pushed me. I never would have done it without his repeated reassurance. I have likened him to a protective older brother. He is not a coddler. There isn't a lot of polite chit chat. He's got that east coast gruff thing. He knows his shit, and he has your back, and it's saved me lots of money over the years. read more

I called Andrew based on a recommendation from a friend. I have always done my own taxes, but when the IRS came calling for an audit, I knew I needed professional help. And man, did I get it. Andrew called me back and talked to me for quite a while about what to expect and the kinds of things I'd need to prepare. I decided to hire him and he told me exactly what to do. I found him to be a great communicator, responsive to questions and concerns, and he led me through the whole process. Getting audited is something I hope you never have to go through, as it's a royal pain in the ass, but if it happens, having someone as competent as Andrew in your corner is absolutely mandatory. Thanks, Andrew! read more

Michael has been my tax accountant for some time now and I could not be happier with the service that I receive. This husband and wife team gets the job done. Michael works efficiently, accurately, and professionally. He cuts to the chase and does not waste any of his customers' time. This is a fantastic practice and everyone should be beating down the door for his exceptional services. read more

This firm always delivers great work regardless of who you are working with. The team never overcharges you and in fact will do smaller tax checks or answer quick questions at no cost - they clearly view their business as building a relationship with clients and keeping them in the long term. read more

I have abused this guy every year for 20+ years - complicated filings, missing documents and info, last minute submissions, etc. - but every year he rises to the occasion, does a great job and saves me money. You will not do better anywhere else. read more

12 March '12 Been using Andrew Stern for many years and my partner has been with Andy for over 25 yrs! You can depend on Andy & his staff for all your tax needs, up-to-date, reliable info. He is now on my list of most IMPORTANT people in my life.... hairdresser, mechanic, doctor , optometrist and my taxman! read more

I have been using Andy for more than 20 years, and he's a gem. I've used him when I was an employee, I've used him when I was a sole proprietor, and now I use him for my personal taxes as the owner of a C-corp business. I have never had anything but a great experience with him; professional, accurate, helpful. I wish he did corporate taxes too. Incidentally I'm in the wine business, and Andy does most of the people I know in that business, another specialty. read more

Like others recent experiences with Stern and Associates I have also experienced the difference between the current and the former owner. Andrew Stern had done a great job executing our taxes the year prior to handing off the company to Michael Fullam. The following year, (2019) was a relatively easy year to do taxes in my house compared to most others. However, it got drawn out into an extension and the same attachment details I had already sent had to be sent again over (and over) said drawn out period. Michael would respond to my questions regarding the tax year in a short, patronizing tone that neither answered the question or moved us closer to finishing the job. I also received by accident via email some confidentially sensitive information of another clients tax return by accident. This did not raise my confidence in their professional abilities. Once after the taxes were finally prepared and we applied some for future estimated tax and some for a refund, I received letters from both the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board showing a discrepancy in both cases of 1000s of dollars. When I asked for an explanation and to take a look at what had happened. He wanted to charge me for tax consultation. This for the error on his part saying, that "tax preparation and tax consultation are 2 separate services." If you are unwilling to check your work after the IRS and the state tell you something is wrong? and you want to charge me? You don't deserve my or anyone elses business again. I am not one to leave reviews at all. I signed up specifically to leave this review because I don't want anyone else to have to go through this experience. Especially given Andrew Sterns long reputation preceeding the companies turnover. If I could have give no stars, I would have. What a shame! read more

This guy is the bomb? Yeah right! My filing was simple, and I will spare you all the details, but I have never been so unhappy with the services of a tax "professional". The guy has a chip on his shoulder, and does the bare minimum, with a lot of attitude thrown in for good measure. I wish I had a good experience to share like the other three people who reviewed this biz. Thumbs down! In a big way!!! Go elsewhere. read more

Andrew and his team have assisted me for over 15 years. I'm freelance, I work in entertainment, I have returns in another state. I pretty much own a home and all the attendant tax savings because Andrew suggested it a while back. I've thought about Turbo Tax but if I have just one issue that he helps me with each year it seems pointless. I don't even live in the Bay Area any more and I wouldn't dream of switching. read more

I thought Andrew was kinda gruff at first, but let him do his thing, he is an amazing tax accountant (not to mention a huge music fan!). Even when we threw stuff at him at the last minute he went above and beyond the call of tax duty. I cannot recommend him enough. read more

I have been working with Linda the last couple of years and she is outstanding. She is extremely responsive and very easy to communicate with via email. I have a somewhat complicated tax situation with multiple investment properties in different states. Not an issue with Linda, she knows her stuff. Pricing is very reasonable for someone with her level of experience. Highly recommended! read more

He is great. Very personable and pleasant, and he handles things quickly and well. We're paying a lot less taxes these days, as his tax organizers help us understand all the deductions we can take. read more

Found him on Yelp. Exactly what I was hoping (but not expecting) to find. He's great. Ping me if you have any questions (IM: bryndyment).

I cannot state this more clearly: I love Nancy. This is the fifth year she's done my taxes, and she's a goddamn gem. Not only does she take from my self-employed self the burden of doing my taxes, she's a total joy to talk to. She's fun, she's funny, she's wry, she's smart, she remembers me right off the bat even though I interact with her only once a year. She's awesome. She prepares the filing quickly and correctly. She offers helpful ideas about deductions I may not otherwise think about and which IRA it makes most sense for someone in my position to have. Plus she always manages to compliment me on something I'm wearing. And who doesn't love that? read more

I am an independent contractor (designer) and Andrew was extremely helpful (and patient) talking me through the tax implications of my situation. A straight to the point, no BS guy who really knows his stuff. read more

I was reading a Washington Post article today about MDs who try to squelch bad online reviews and I came upon this quote: "But nobody says: 'Oh my God, I have the greatest accountant in the world.'" Au contraire! Andrew Stern and Associates (mainly we work with "Associate" - Nancy) have been doing our taxes for neigh on 25 years. We have fairly complex returns to file and have been more than satisfied with their help. read more

Andy's been doing our taxes for 20 years. We've had various employment situations, been freelance and been business owners. My husband is a self-employed musician/composer. Andy understands the financial life of a freelancer and I trust him with our taxes. read more

Linda was very nice. But she used my phone number in place of my social security number on my forms. Yeah. That made for some peace of mind when I paid hard earned money for her to do my taxes. Overworked much? No excuse. This is motivation for me to do my own taxes from now on. read more

and.......for anyone who doesn't know this, he IS the Music Industry specialist (PD's anyone?), and a lot of people i know in the biz use him. i've been using him for i reckon about 7 years now. read more

i didn't end up going with them but they were curt and condescending on the phone when i called in. if that's how they treat inbound business, i don't want to find out how they treat you when they already have your $ read more

can you call an accountant 'the bomb?' cause this guy was. the husband and i went to a real grown up accountant for the first time this year and it was totally worth it. he gave us great advice (particularly on how to do expenses for my artist husband) and helped us get more than enough back for a trip to hawaii. he was super quick, super nice and very responsive. we know several people who've used him and all rave. read more

When Nancy Hoffman was there, great. Last year I found three mistakes and really wondered why I was paying them. Andy knows his stuff, but gives vague answers to questions, and o sense that they are whipping out returns too fast. I have switched accountants because I did not trust Andy Stern. read more

I'm a tax novice and also a bit of a procrastinator. If you're anything like me, you'll love Stern & Associates. They were great about educating me and asked a few simple questions that ended up saving me thousands on my taxes. They have the process down so well, they can also turn around your paperwork pretty quickly. Definitely glad I went with Andrew! read more

I love working with Andrew. He has been doing my business and personal taxes for years. Andrew is extremely knowledgeable, organized, fast and responsive. He's great! read more

Being a "Multimedia Artist" can be a pain in the a#$. Thank god there is someone like Andrew out there to save the many of us who wander desperately through the dark kingdom of the IRS. I don't know how those people work - but its very draconian. Andrew is clearly a trustworthy CPA - you can immediately tell that he is now just a statistician, but someone who realizes that he can really help people through his taxes wizardry. That's why I trust him so much! read more

Although I procrastinated getting my documents to Andrew's office (I dropped off my paperwork on April 5th), everything was completed by April 12th. It probably would have been completed by April 9th but I went away for the weekend and did not check my email. Thank you Linda! I spoke to Andrew over a year ago to strategize the extra income I was going to receive from a rental property (zero withholdings, maximum in my 401k). It was a wonderful surprise that I received a pretty good refund. I plan on scheduling an appointment w/ Andrew to continue to discuss the financial impact of the townhome. I highly recommend Stern & Associates. read more

Andy has been doing my taxes since 1992. It doesn't matter if I come in with a shoebox full of receipts or attempt to fill the Excel worksheet. He is patient and attentive. He can decipher anything! I have kept him as my taxman, even though I moved to AZ 13 years ago. Highly recommend him. read more

If there were more stars available I would give them. Straight up the best ! Don't waste your time going anywhere else! For those of us with odd nuanced taxes that require thinking outside the box and still won;t make you fear spending the rest of your life in prison for something YOU missed , he will find it , keep it fair and keep you funded, fed and fueled. His team is just as stellar. read more