National Association of Tax Preparers, National Association of Professional Women, California Tax Education Council.
About Melissa Whaley
Hello there, I am Melissa Whaley. I grew up in a family of business owners and have seen what a nightmare poor bookkeeping practices can cause. I have been doing bookkeeping and taxes for family and friends for over 5 years. I discovered my love of finance after becoming a licensed tax preparer in 2009.
I began my journey in the financial world as a trained tax preparer for a major tax preparation company. After 3 years working for this big corporation in their Capitola branch, I realized that a quick cookie cutter experience was not what I wished for my clients. Taxes are a deeply personal experience and I want each of my clients to receive personalized treatment. I want to become a trusted partner for your tax needs, not just a data entry robot. Most people feel they can use one of the many cheap online self-service tax products, which are wonderful. However, what happens when you get stuck? Would you rather call a customer care line or someone who knows your situation and can advise you personally?
I am a registered and bonded CA Tax Preparer. I currently use Cloud based tax software which allows me to be a mobile tax preparer and ensure top level security and encryption of data. If you are unable to come to my home office I can come to you at home or work to complete your tax return.
During my time working for a large retail tax company I saw that many people are experts in their field, but have never been taught how to run the financial side of a business. It excites me to help people understand and take control of their finances, especially in their businesses. I believe that anyone is capable of success if their passions are accompanied with the right tools. One of my favorite tools for financial management is Cloud based accounting programs. I work extensively with Wave Accounting and Freshbooks. There are many programs out there and certain programs are better suited for specific fields. I have taken the time to "test drive" many online accounting options and can connect you with the best solution for your business.
I am trained in Quickbooks, Microsoft office, and Wave accounting software. I am comfortable using Mac and Windows operating systems. I also have some experience in insurance billing, including HIPAA certification.
In my personal life I am married to a wonderful husband and have a 5 year old daughter and a 10 month old son. I love technology, reading, and going camping.
