By Bo Sheremeta, CPA | Updated September 2026
Are you looking for the best San Diego CPAs? If you are a Navy or Marine, have RSUs in biotech, or just need someone good, we have a list of CPAs available who will help you out. The 9 firms below were selected for that kind of local work:
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Lowell Foster, CPA (19 yrs in business, Rating: ā 5.0)
- Best for Estate & Trust Tax: Hara Chaudhuri CPAs PC (9 yrs in business, Rating: ā 5.0)
- Best for Payroll Services: IB CPA (26 yrs in business, Rating: ā 5.0)
- Best for Audit / Review / Compilation: Tadmor T Barzilai CPA Inc (26 yrs in business, Rating: ā 4.9)
- Best for Financial Services: Cashuk, Wiseman, Goldberg, Birnbaum & Salem, LLP (27 yrs in business, Rating: ā 5.0)
At a Glance
| Rank | Firm | Best For | Years in Business | Area Served | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lowell Foster, CPA | Full-Service | 19 | San Diego | ā 5.0 |
| 2 | San Diego CPA | Full-Service | 29 | San Diego | ā 4.2 |
| 3 | Hara Chaudhuri CPAs PC | Estate & Trust Tax | 9 | San Diego | ā 5.0 |
| 4 | IB CPA | Payroll Services | 26 | San Diego | ā 5.0 |
| 5 | Tadmor T Barzilai CPA Inc | Audit / Review / Compilation | 26 | San Diego | ā 4.9 |
| 6 | Cashuk, Wiseman, Goldberg, Birnbaum & Salem, LLP | Financial Services | 27 | San Diego | ā 5.0 |
| 7 | San Diego, CPA A Professional Tax & Accountancy Corporation | Bookkeeping / Accounting | 19 | San Diego | ā 5.0 |
| 8 | Thefeld & Associates, CPA’s | Financial Services | 28 | San Diego | ā 4.6 |
| 9 | Sonnenberg & Co CPA | Nonprofit & Education | 29 | San Diego | ā 5.0 |
How We Chose These CPAs
Rankings are calculated from a weighted score covering client reviews, years in business, pricing transparency, verification status, and other factors. See our full methodology below.
1. Lowell Foster, CPA
Quick facts: Rating: ā 5.0 Ā· 19 years in business Ā· Full-Service Ā· San Diego, CA
Lowell Foster, CPA provides tax preparation and resolution services in San Diego.
Services: Tax Preparation & Compliance
Address: 12526 High Bluff Dr UNIT 300, San Diego, CA 92130
2. San Diego CPA
Quick facts: Rating: ā 4.2 Ā· 29 years in business Ā· Full-Service Ā· San Diego, CA
San Diego CPA is a local resource for CPA services including tax preparation, planning, and business coaching.
Services: Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance
Address: 9655 Granite Ridge Dr #200, San Diego, CA 92123
3. Hara Chaudhuri CPAs PC
Quick facts: Rating: ā 5.0 Ā· 9 years in business Ā· Estate & Trust Tax Ā· San Diego, CA
Hara Chaudhuri CPAs PC is San Diego’s premier CPA firm offering tax, accounting, and advisory solutions.
Services: Estate & Trust Tax, Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance, Bookkeeping / Accounting
Address: 9909 Mira Mesa Blvd #100, San Diego, CA 92131
4. IB CPA
Quick facts: Rating: ā 5.0 Ā· 26 years in business Ā· Payroll Services Ā· San Diego, CA
IB CPA offers tax, accounting, payroll, and consulting services to individuals and businesses.
Services: Estate & Trust Tax, Payroll Services, Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance, Bookkeeping / Accounting
Address: 3636 Camino Del Rio N STE 225, San Diego, CA 92108
5. Tadmor T Barzilai CPA Inc
Quick facts: Rating: ā 4.9 Ā· 26 years in business Ā· Audit / Review / Compilation Ā· San Diego, CA
Teddy T. Barzilai, CPA Inc. offers professional tax, accounting, bookkeeping, consulting & IRS representation services to individuals/businesses worldwide with 30+ yrs exp
Services: Audit / Review / Compilation, Bookkeeping / Accounting, IRS Representation, Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance
Address: 4501 Mission Bay Dr. #3a, San Diego, CA 92109
6. Cashuk, Wiseman, Goldberg, Birnbaum & Salem, LLP
Quick facts: Rating: ā 5.0 Ā· 27 years in business Ā· Financial Services Ā· San Diego, CA
Full-service accounting firm specializing in personalized service for clients across the United States.
Services: Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance, Bookkeeping / Accounting, Payroll Services
Address: 2851 Camino del Rio S UNIT 410, San Diego, CA 92108
7. San Diego, CPA A Professional Tax & Accountancy Corporation
Quick facts: Rating: ā 5.0 Ā· 19 years in business Ā· Bookkeeping / Accounting Ā· San Diego, CA
Full-service tax, accounting, and business consulting firm in San Diego, CA.
Services: Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance, Bookkeeping / Accounting
Address: 5703 Oberlin Dr #107, San Diego, CA 92121
8. Thefeld & Associates, CPA’s
Quick facts: Rating: ā 4.6 Ā· 28 years in business Ā· Financial Services Ā· San Diego, CA
Thefeld & Associates is a leading CPA firm in San Diego specializing in tax, accounting, and business consulting.
Services: Audit / Review / Compilation, IRS Representation, Tax Planning & Advisory, Tax Preparation & Compliance, Bookkeeping / Accounting
Address: 2333 Camino del Rio S STE 330, San Diego, CA 92108
9. Sonnenberg & Co CPA
Quick facts: Rating: ā 5.0 Ā· 29 years in business Ā· Nonprofit & Education Ā· San Diego, CA
Sonnenberg & Company, CPAs specializes in Not-for-Profit Organizations and Homeowners Associations since 1972.
Services: Tax Preparation & Compliance
Address: 5190 Governor Dr STE 201, San Diego, CA 92122
Looking for a CPA Nearby?
Or browse the full California CPA directory to see every listed firm in the state.
How to Choose a CPA in San Diego
Which service do you need? That’s step #1. Not how many stars a CPA has. A W-2 household in Clairemont does not need the same person as an S-corp owner in Sorrento Valley with RSUs, or a landlord holding rentals from North Park to Chula Vista, or a Marine spouse at Camp Pendleton who still files as a Texas resident.
Finding a CPA can be difficult. It takes time to research and understand whether that person will be able to meet your needs. That’s why I built a free concierge form that you can submit and I will find you the perfect match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a CPA and an accountant?
A CPA is someone who has undergone extensive training, typically earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, passing a rigorous four-part exam, and gaining sufficient experience providing tax or accounting services. An accountant may not be a CPA. If you want the highest quality tax, accounting, or other financial services, it’s best to work with a CPA.
How much does a CPA typically cost in San Diego?
The best way to estimate how much a CPA costs is by using our CPA Fee Calculator.
But generally, local price surveys put San Diego CPA work higher than much of the country. CPAs typically cost ~$170-220/hr, and tax preparation starts at $400+ for a very simple tax return.
Cost significantly increases with business income, or cross state compliance.
Does San Diego have its own income tax, and who do I file with?
No. Neither the City of San Diego nor San Diego County has a personal income tax. You file a federal return with the IRS and, if you are a resident, part-year resident, or have California-source income, a state return with the Franchise Tax Board (typically Form 540 or 540NR). A CPA will be able to advise you best.
Iām stationed in San Diego but my home state is somewhere else. Do I still need a California CPA?
Often yes, even if California does not tax your military pay. Spouses may have separate residency rules under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act. You can still owe California tax on non-military wages, a side business, or a rental in the county, and you may need a 540NR. A CPA can help you with these questions.