California · CA
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San Francisco CPAs serve startups, venture-backed companies, and complex equity-comp clients.
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Service providers in San Francisco
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Match the right kind of help to the work — CPA firms, tax preparers, bookkeepers, payroll providers, fractional CFOs, and industry specialists serving San Francisco.
CPA firms in San Francisco
Licensed CPAs for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance.
BrowseTax preparers in San Francisco
Individual and business tax filing for the upcoming season.
BrowseBookkeepers in San Francisco
Monthly close, AP/AR, and reconciliation specialists.
BrowsePayroll providers in San Francisco
Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration.
BrowseFractional CFOs in San Francisco
Senior finance leadership for growing companies.
BrowseIndustry specialists in San Francisco
Restaurants, real estate, medical, construction, and more.
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Find a CPA in San Francisco
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Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in San Francisco
The work San Francisco residents and small businesses most often hire a CPA to handle.
- Annual business and individual tax preparation
- Tax planning and quarterly estimates
- Bookkeeping and monthly close
- Entity selection and formation (LLC, S-corp, C-corp)
- Payroll setup and filings
- IRS notice response and audit representation
- Financial statement preparation (compilation / review)
Industries
Small-business industries shaping San Francisco
The local economy your San Francisco CPA should already know how to serve.
Tech & SaaS startups
Venture capital & private funds
Biotech & life sciences
Professional services
Restaurants & hospitality
Decision guide
When to hire a CPA vs. a bookkeeper
A bookkeeper records the past. A CPA shapes the future — taxes, structure, strategy.
Hire a bookkeeper when…
- •You need day-to-day transaction categorization and bank reconciliations
- •You want monthly financials but no tax filings or planning
- •Revenue is under ~$500K and your structure is simple (sole prop / single-member LLC)
- •You already have a CPA for taxes and just need clean books
Hire a CPA when…
- •You're filing business taxes (S-corp, C-corp, partnership)
- •You need tax planning, entity restructuring, or multi-state filings
- •You received an IRS or state tax notice or are facing an audit
- •You're raising capital, selling a business, or doing equity comp planning
- •Your books are a mess and you need cleanup plus a long-term advisor
Before you sign
Questions to ask any San Francisco CPA before hiring
Use this checklist on your first call. Strong CPAs welcome these questions.
- Are you a licensed CPA in this state? What's your license number?
- What industries do you specialize in, and how many clients like me do you serve?
- Who actually does the work — you, a staff accountant, or an offshore team?
- How do you bill — hourly, fixed-fee, or monthly retainer? What's typical for my size?
- What software do you use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite), and do I get access to my files?
- How do you handle IRS notices or audits if they come up later?
- What's your response-time expectation during and outside of tax season?
- Can you provide references from clients in my industry?
Stay compliant
Tax deadlines and California notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
San Francisco Business Registration renewal due (SF Treasurer & Tax Collector).
SF Gross Receipts Tax and Homelessness Gross Receipts Tax annual return due.
CA pass-through entity tax (PTET) prepayments — required to preserve the election.
W-2s and 1099-NEC due to recipients and the IRS.
S-corp (1120-S) and partnership (1065) returns or 6-month extension.
Individual (1040) and C-corp (1120) returns; Q1 estimated taxes due.
Q2 estimated taxes due.
Q3 estimates; extended S-corp and partnership returns due.
Extended individual and C-corp returns due.
$800 California minimum franchise tax annually for almost every LLC, LP, and corporation.
Informational only — not tax advice. Confirm current deadlines with your CPA or the relevant authority.
Browse by specialty
Top specialties in San Francisco
Certified Public Accountants
Licensed Certified Public Accountants for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance services across the United States.
ExploreStartup Accountants
Accountants and CPAs for venture-backed startups: SAFE and convertible note accounting, R&D tax credits, 409A valuations, QSBS planning, and investor-ready financials.
ExploreFractional CFO Services
Part-time CFOs for growing companies. Strategic finance, board reporting, fundraising support, cash forecasting, and KPI dashboards — without a full-time executive hire.
ExploreCrypto Tax Accountants
Accountants and CPAs for cryptocurrency taxes: DeFi, NFTs, staking, mining, airdrops, cost-basis reconstruction, and IRS notice resolution.
ExploreNearby
Nearby cities to San Francisco
Major metros our directory also serves.
Statewide
Also in California · CA
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in San Francisco
What does a Bay Area startup CPA actually do?
Beyond tax prep, SF startup CPAs typically handle R&D credit studies, Section 1202 (QSBS) qualification reviews, 83(b) elections, stock-option exercise planning, Delaware C-corp compliance, and SAFEs / convertible note bookkeeping. Many also coordinate with your fractional CFO.
What is the SF Gross Receipts Tax?
San Francisco taxes business gross receipts at rates that vary by activity (roughly 0.16%–1.0%) once receipts exceed about $2.25M, plus a separate Homelessness Gross Receipts Tax on receipts above $50M. Even smaller businesses must file the annual return to substantiate exemption.
Should my startup elect QSBS, and can my SF CPA help?
QSBS (Section 1202) can exclude up to $10M (or 10x basis) of gain on qualified C-corp stock held 5+ years. Almost every venture-backed Delaware C-corp is eligible at formation. A qualified SF startup CPA should review your cap table and entity history early and document QSBS qualification before a sale.
Do I need a CA-licensed CPA if my SF startup is a Delaware C-corp?
Yes — Delaware incorporation doesn't change your tax home. If you operate in San Francisco, you owe CA franchise tax, SF gross receipts tax, and (if applicable) PTET filings, all of which require California knowledge.
Compare your options
Hiring a verified San Francisco CPA vs. DIY
| Factor | Verified San Francisco CPA | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax knowledge | San Francisco state + local filings | Federal only |
| Audit defense | Represents you to the IRS | You handle correspondence |
| Year-round planning | ||
| Typical fee | $200–$3,500 / engagement | $0 software + your hours |
| Specialty match | Industry-experienced | General-purpose |
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2026 CPA Pricing Guide
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
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