Goleta & Santa Barbara CPA
Expert tax preparation, S-corp planning, and bookkeeping for small businesses and real estate investors in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Personal attention. No handoffs to junior staff.
What we do
From S-corp elections to QuickBooks cleanup, David Rachford CPA handles the tax and accounting work that lets you focus on running your business.
Form 1120-S preparation, reasonable compensation analysis, basis tracking, and CA PTE election guidance for Santa Barbara County S-corp shareholders.
Learn more →Year-round tax planning — not just filing. Officer salary optimization, retirement plan strategy, QSBS analysis, and Section 199A deduction maximization.
Learn more →Monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations, and QuickBooks Pro Advisor setup and cleanup. Clean books you can actually use to run your business.
Learn more →Annual Form 1120-H preparation and financial statement reviews for homeowners associations and condominium owners associations throughout Santa Barbara County.
Learn more →Complex individual returns including Schedule B/D, wash sale analysis, Form 1116 foreign tax credits, and trust returns for Santa Barbara families.
Learn more →Short-term rental tax strategy, depreciation planning, cost segregation coordination, and Section 1031 exchange guidance for Goleta and Santa Barbara investors.
Learn more →Why David Rachford CPA
Unlike large Santa Barbara firms that route you through junior staff, you work directly with David Rachford — a licensed CPA with deep small-business and startup tax experience.
Every call, email, and question goes to David — not a bookkeeper or first-year associate.
Based in Goleta with deep knowledge of California tax law, CA PTE elections, and the Santa Barbara County business landscape.
David brings startup tax experience — QSBS Section 1202, S-corp conversions, 83(b) elections — that most local CPA firms don't offer.
Tax strategy isn't a one-day-a-year event. Quarterly check-ins, proactive planning, and prompt responses when things change.
Client reviews
"David is an outstanding professional who combines deep expertise with a welcoming approach. He has a keen understanding of complex financial matters and explains them clearly and actionably. Highly recommend!"
Registered Nurse, Santa Barbara
"David is a joy to work with! He helped me set up my business as a LLC. He predicted it to be 1 week and like clockwork I received all my docs in the time he said and now I'm ready to fly in my new company. David is knowledgeable and answered all my questions. I highly recommend him for any business or tax need."
LLC formation client
"Finally a CPA in Santa Barbara who understands real estate investing. David handled my Schedule E, depreciation, and short-term rental income all in one place."
Goleta, CA
About David
David Rachford is a Certified Public Accountant based in Goleta, CA, with experience spanning independent CPA practice, startup tax planning, and real estate investor tax strategy. He brings a straightforward, no-BS approach to financial advice — shaped by military discipline and entrepreneurial curiosity.
His practice serves individuals, S-corps, HOAs, and startups throughout Santa Barbara County, with a specialty in clients who need more than a once-a-year tax preparer.
More about David →Credentials & experience
Small businesses, real estate investors, S-corp shareholders, and HOAs trust David Rachford CPA for straight-talking tax advice and year-round support.
Book your free consultation