Personal, smart accounting. Zoller handled my parents' complex tax returns so well, I started using them too. The office is friendly and professional. Dan Swanson was incredibly patient and helpful with my disabled mom. The staff and accountants answer questions in an unhurried, friendly way. They are fast, efficient and reasonably priced. Highly recommended. read more

Heather C wrote a review 11 years ago...I was 17 at the time... Now, I've been living in Oak Park for 6 years and I cannot wait to go back to San Francisco. Yes, it's expensive as heck but at least the people there aren't as shitty as these guys No offense to the wonderful people of Chicago. You guys kick ass! I went to Zoller after my parents passed away because a family friend told me that he really loved their work These guys are SHIT! It took me well over a month to get my taxes done and then they just handed them to me like "okay buh-bye" Forget these guys. Seriously, go elsewhere read more

A 25+ yr tax return customer who got "fired" by this firm since they want to sell you other "added value" services and don't really want to do taxes-only anymore. Have seen their prices creep up annually to a level that borders on outright theft. Every year I got their bill I found myself wondering if they're worth it. Their recent decision to stop doing taxes-only now gives me a reason to find a more reasonably priced CPA. These guys are outrageously over-priced and definitely not worth it. If they grossly overcharge for a 25 year taxes-only customer, how much do they charge for the added-value services they offer? I won't be around to find out. There has to be better value tax providers out there. I'll just have to find them. Run away from these overpriced grifters. read more

I never really thought my taxes would get complicated enough to need a year-to-year professional, so I bounced around between all the usual sources: tax preparation websites, H&R Block, Turbo Tax. Then I went and bought a condo and got a renter; pretty soon my taxes became a serious job. I enlisted ZS's help, and it took about an hour for me to put together all my documentation, plus a half-hour on the back end (about a week after dropping them off) for a ZS associate to explain what all the line items were. Had no idea of all the deductions I could get. ZS's fee was higher than H&R and TT, but the comparison is apples and oranges (or apples and tax-obligated apples, as it were) seeing as I was filing little more than a 1040EZ with the other two. I consider it worth it, seeing as I doubt either alternative would have found me the same deductions -- and TT would've taken an afternoon of my time, at minimum. Including my own preparations, ZS cost me 90 minutes. Their associate was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable the whole while. read more

Just so people know, "not necessarily cheap" means about $200/hr. Got some good free advice on the phone though!

In the 10+ years I've done business with Zoller and Swanson they have been one of the most friendly team of professionals I've seen. I get the same person yearly so they know my situation. They offer to meet with me if I want but also know how to speak "English" and spare me the financial jargon and details if appropriate. They offer one stop shopping as they partner with financial planners. I'm hoping to stay with them long term and bring my fiance to them as we merge our finances when we get married later this year. read more

Excellent, professional work. Not necessarily cheap, but extremely reliable.

We've been using Zoller Swanson's services for our business and personal taxes for at least two decades. Everyone in the office is professional, efficient and excellent. There's no question that they've consistently saved us more money than we've spent on them. read more

Zoller Swanson doesn't need your business. I was a client of Daniel Brown, who sold his client list to Zoller Swanson. I was happy with Brown. My taxes is not terribly complicated. I walked through the details with one of their accountants a month and a half before the tax deadline. I needed the money before April 15. Usually my taxes is done within a few days, maybe a week. The accountant said flatly "two weeks". Two weeks turned into three weeks, then four weeks, then five weeks. Each time I called, I was told "she's still working on it." I was then informed that they were filing an extension. I was livid. So I talked to one of the firm's partners and he refused to do anything for me. Nothing. No rush. No discount. No nothing. It was like the accountant was not his employee and beyond his control. In fact, he said he couldn't promise that it wouldn't be ready until into "May sometime". This is classic " I don't need your business because we have enough." behavior. If he doesn't need more business, I wouldn't give yours to them. read more