Chun Wong
Business Name: Safe Harbor LLP
Website URL: http://www.safeharborcpa.com/
Email Address: cwong@safeharborcpa.com
Year Founded: 2009
Number of Employees: 7
What does your company do?: We are a San Francisco-based small highly technical boutique full-service CPA firm providing tax compliance, advisory and U.S. GAAP financial audit. Businesses and high income individuals come to us to make tax preparation easy, or relatively easy. We are specialists in International tax issues, as well as audited financials that many businesses need for loans and government contracts.
Was there a specific turning point when you realized your business was moving to the next level?: The turning point was a continuous process of growth. We realized we are moving to the next level when, on Nov 1st, we will be moving to a larger office as we ran out of room in our current space. There is tremendous demand for friendly, efficient no-nonsense accounting in San Francisco.
What processes or procedures have you implemented that have helped grow your company?:
We are a paperless office and worked hard in utilizing technology to streamline process and be more efficient for clients. Being in the Silicon Valley, we are also in tune to the needs of this dynamic client base and strive to stay on top of issues that affect Taxpayer’s both domestic and globally.
What is most rewarding about running your business?: Helping clients with complex tax issues and mentoring and watch staff grow into world class professionals.
What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?: Managing expectations of vendors, clients and professional staff. Overcome by being very honest about the issues and moving towards a resolution that is beneficial for all.
If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?: I would not do much differently, but going forward continue doing what we have in the past and that is continuous improvement.
What advice do you have for other business owners?: Execute well on the fundamentals, and realize that paying taxes is many times not a bad thing – most of the time it means you are making money!
Please list any favorite books, tools or resources (software, website, etc.) you would recommend for others: I recommend Yelp, because as a small business we have enjoyed very good reviews on Yelp and have seen a tremendous interest among San Francisco businesses and individuals due to our Yelp presence. If you have satisified clients, it shows.
What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you?: I was a U.S. Army officer for 12 years in a combat arms branch.
