Business Details
9 Years
experience
Trusted Accounting & Tax Advisory in San Francisco
Gillingham CPA is a San Francisco-based accounting and tax firm dedicated to empowering small businesses, startups, and equity-compensated employees. Founded by John Gillingham, a seasoned CPA with over two decades of financial services experience, including seven years at specialized CPA firms, we prioritize a collaborative, educational approach to client relationships. Our expertise spans tax advisory, accounting optimization, and strategic consulting, with a focus on navigating complex financial landscapes for early-stage ventures and individuals with stock option compensation. We emphasize proactive planning and advisory services beyond standard tax compliance, leveraging technology and personalized guidance to help clients achieve long-term financial clarity. Our commitment to education is reflected in our proprietary resources, including the top-ranked AccountingPlay.com platform, which demystifies accounting concepts through accessible tools.By integrating tax compliance, planning, and advisory services, we aim to address both foundational needs and advanced strategic goals, fostering client growth and peace of mind. Our tiered service model accommodates diverse client requirements, from basic compliance to comprehensive financial advisory, ensuring scalable support tailored to individual and business needs. Client testimonials highlight our ability to simplify complex financial matters, optimize tax strategies, and provide actionable insights that drive informed decision-making.
Services
Tax Services
Accounting Services
Bookkeeping
Advisory Services
R&D Credit Categorization
Equity Compensation Planning
Startup Consulting
Financial Projections
Crypto Accounting
Inventory Management
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in small business and startup accounting.
- Our team provides personalized, educational financial guidance for informed decision-making.
- We answer all client emails and address questions promptly.
- We specialize in complex equity compensation tax strategies for tech employees.
- Our tiered service model adapts to evolving client needs and complexity levels.
What people say
Highly recommended
Instrumental with side-hustle ambitions
Swiftly and efficiently handled taxes
Collaborative approach
Carefully explains processes
Services
Tax Services
We prepare tax returns while focusing on strategic planning for equity-compensated employees and startups. Our approach combines compliance with proactive advisory to optimize tax outcomes. Services include safe harbor estimates, disposition planning, and retirement account strategy analysis.
Accounting Services
We provide comprehensive accounting solutions with an emphasis on business growth. Services include financial statement preparation, cash flow analysis, and integration with technology tools. Our team helps clients understand financial data to make informed business decisions.
Bookkeeping
Monthly bookkeeping services include transaction categorization, financial reporting, and system optimization. We offer tiered pricing from $195/month for sole proprietors to custom solutions for inventory-based businesses with complex needs.
Advisory Services
Our advisory services focus on strategic planning for startups and individuals. We provide quarterly meetings, tax-efficient investment strategies, and business entity planning. Services integrate tax compliance with long-term financial goal setting for individuals and companies.
Equity Compensation Planning
Specialized planning for RSUs, ISOs, and ESPPs. We offer 83B election guidance, cost-benefit analysis, and disposition planning. Our expertise helps tech employees maximize value from equity compensation while minimizing tax liabilities.
People
John Gillingham
CPA
John Gillingham is a San Francisco CPA with over two decades of financial services experience. He specializes in startup accounting, equity compensation planning, and tax advisory services. His background includes seven years at CPA firms serving multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for startups?
We provide bookkeeping, financial reporting, R&D credit categorization, and equity compensation planning tailored for pre-series A startups and early-stage ventures.
How do your tax services differ from standard preparation?
Our tax services combine compliance with strategic planning, including stock option optimization, retirement account analysis, and year-round advisory to maximize tax benefits.
Do you work with remote clients outside San Francisco?
Yes, we serve clients nationwide through secure document exchange and virtual consultations while maintaining personalized service standards.
What are your pricing tiers for accounting services?
We offer Bronze ($1,500/year), Silver ($2,000/year), and Custom tiers with bookkeeping options starting at $195/month, adapting to client complexity and needs.
How do you handle complex equity compensation scenarios?
We specialize in ISO, RSU, and ESPP planning with 83B election guidance, disposition strategies, and tax-efficient exit planning for tech employees and founders.
What educational resources do you provide?
Our AccountingPlay.com platform offers free lessons, flashcards, and apps covering accounting fundamentals, tax basics, and financial analysis for business owners and students.
