How to Choose a CPA in Oxnard: Seven Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Searching for a CPA in Oxnard turns up dozens of names. These seven questions separate a top accountant from a seasonal tax shop.
Accounting and tax preparation for the people and businesses of Ventura County.
The Plisky Company has served Ventura County since 1983 and is now located on the harbor at Seabridge in Oxnard. James T. Plisky, CPA, personally handles tax preparation, year-round planning, and bookkeeping for individuals, families, and owner-run businesses.
Since 1983Over 40 years in Ventura County
Individuals & businessesServing Ventura County and the State of California
Licensed CPA firm, State of California
Open year-round, not just filing season
Serving Ventura County and the State of California
Our office
On the harbor at Seabridge, Oxnard.
The office sits in the Seabridge community on Channel Islands Harbor. Come by for a conversation, or call and we'll set a time that works for you.
Services
Tax and accounting services, delivered by the CPA you actually meet.
We keep the practice focused so every return and every set of books gets a CPA's attention. Fees are quoted in advance, and you always know who is doing the work.
Individuals
Personal tax preparation
Federal and California returns prepared and reviewed by a CPA.
- Form 1040 and California 540
- Rental property and Schedule E
- Stock, option, and crypto transactions
- Multi-state and nonresident returns
Businesses
Business tax returns
Returns for every common structure, coordinated with the owners' personal filings so nothing is taxed twice or missed.
- S corporations and partnerships
- Trust returns
- Single-member and multi-member LLCs
- C corporations
- California franchise and LLC fees
Planning
Tax planning and projections
Mid-year and year-end projections so estimated payments are right and decisions are made before December 31, not after.
- Quarterly estimate calculations
- Retirement plan and SEP/Solo 401(k) strategy
- Equipment and vehicle purchase timing
- Selling a property or a business
Accounting
Bookkeeping and financial statements
Monthly or quarterly books you can actually read, reconciled to the bank and ready for lenders, partners, or a sale.
- QuickBooks setup and cleanup
- Bank and credit card reconciliation
- Balance sheet and profit & loss
Compliance
Payroll and sales tax
Filings that arrive on time with the right agency, from the EDD to the CDTFA, without the penalties that come from guessing.
- Payroll tax deposits and quarterly forms
- W-2 and 1099 preparation
- California sales and use tax
Representation
IRS and Franchise Tax Board matters
If a notice arrives, you send it to us. We respond to the agency directly and handle audits, penalty abatement, and payment plans.
- Notice and letter responses
- Audit representation
- Installment agreements
- Prior-year and unfiled returns
James T. Plisky, CPA
Owner, The Plisky Company
About
A CPA who knows your name and your numbers.
Jim Plisky built The Plisky Company on a simple idea: the person who signs your return should be the person who prepared it and understands your situation.
Founded in 1983, the practice has served individuals, families, and owner-operated businesses across Ventura County for more than four decades. Our offices are located on the harbor at Seabridge in Oxnard. Clients stay for generations because the advice is practical, the deadlines are met, and there are no surprises at tax time.
“Good accounting is quiet and accurate. You need to know where you stand.”
Established1983 · over 40 years in practice
CredentialCertified Public Accountant, State of California
PracticeThe Plisky Company, Oxnard, California
FocusTax preparation and planning, small-business accounting, IRS and FTB representation
Who we serve
Clients from the harbor to the fields.
Ventura County's economy runs on family businesses, farms, and professionals. We know the industries because we have kept their books for years.
Harbor and marine businesses
Charter operators, boat services, marina tenants, and restaurants along Channel Islands Harbor.
Agriculture and packing
Growers, labor contractors, and packing operations with seasonal payroll and crop-year accounting.
Real estate investors
Landlords with one unit or twenty, 1031 exchanges, depreciation schedules, and short-term rentals.
Contractors and trades
Licensed contractors, subcontractors, and service companies managing job costs and 1099 crews.
Professionals and practices
Physicians, dentists, attorneys, and consultants with S corporations and retirement plans to fund.
Families and retirees
Households with investments, pensions, Social Security, trusts, and the estates that follow them.
Where our clients are
The office is in Oxnard, and most clients are within a half hour of it. We also work with people who have moved away, own property here, or run a business in more than one state, so returns regularly cross state lines even when the conversation happens at Seabridge.
OxnardVenturaCamarilloPort HuenemeSanta PaulaOjaiThousand OaksMoorparkFillmoreSomis
How it works
Four steps, in the same order every year.
The process is deliberately simple so you can spend as little time on taxes as possible and still know they are done right.
A conversation
A short call or office visit to understand your situation, what changed this year, and what you want to accomplish.
Your documents
A checklist tailored to you. Upload through our secure client portal or drop them off at the office.
Preparation and review
Your return or books are prepared and reviewed by a CPA. We walk you through the results before anything is filed.
Filing and planning ahead
E-filed with confirmation, estimates set for next year, and reminders before each deadline.
Common questions
What people ask before they call.
If your question is not here, call the office and ask. We would rather answer it than have you guess.
What does a CPA cost?
It depends on the return, and we quote the fee before any work starts. A straightforward personal return costs less than a business return with payroll and a set of books behind it. What we will not do is quote a low number and discover complications later.
Do I need a CPA, or is a tax preparer enough?
For a W-2 job and a mortgage, a registered preparer is often fine. Once there is a business, rental property, a partner, or a letter from the IRS, the accounting and representation side matters as much as the return itself. That is where a CPA earns the difference.
Do you take clients outside Oxnard?
Yes. Clients come from across Ventura County and, in some cases, from other states entirely. Documents can be sent securely and meetings can happen by phone or video, though most local clients still prefer to sit down at the office.
When should I start tax planning?
Before December 31, not in April. Nearly every decision that lowers a tax bill, from equipment purchases to retirement contributions to how a business is structured, has to be made inside the tax year. By the time a return is being prepared, the year is already decided.
What should I bring to a first meeting?
Last year's return, this year's income documents, and any letters from a tax agency. For a business, add the books or the bank statements. If something is missing, we will tell you what to look for rather than guess.
I received a letter from the IRS. What now?
Send it to us and do not ignore it. Most notices are automated, many are partly wrong, and nearly all are resolved on paper without a meeting. As a CPA, Jim can deal with the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board directly on your behalf.
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Contact
Let's talk before the next deadline.
Phone
(805) 981-1200
Email
Jim@jimplisky.com
Hours
Monday – Friday, by appointment
Extended hours from February through April 15.