ACG's Corporate Tax Practice Brings International Expertise to Hacienda

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Global Focus, Local Attention Provide Unique Advantages to Client Companies

ACG's approach to its tax practice has produced a flourishing company. The rapidly growing CPA firm almost doubled its previous space on occupying new quarters at 4301 Hacienda Drive in May. The move into the spacious suite coincided with the group's seventh anniversary. ACG was founded in May 2003 by former Big 4 professionals with in-depth experience in the global transportation and technology tax landscape.

The CPA firm combines sophisticated tax advice, international expertise, and rapid, individual response to deliver services on par with the Big 4 accounting firms, with the personalization and fee structure of a local enterprise.

In the post-Sarbanes Oxley environment, businesses are increasingly looking to separate audit and tax services, explains Eugene Park, one of ACG's senior managers. With its proactive approach, ACG is well positioned to fill this need. To complement its strength in its standard tax practice, from provision preparation to return compliance, ACG assigns a core team of professionals to provide long-term continuity and proactive advice to each client. The team identifies technical tax issues and coordinates the best practical and operational alternative. Equally important is the firm's ability to collaborate effectively with outside auditors on these issues.

While Park says the group has no "average client," indicating that each has its own unique individual needs, he does note that many of the businesses they serve have international operations, often with a parent or sister company in a different country. "We help them with their structure and planning and take care of all the U.S. filings," Park comments. "We have affiliated firms in other countries that do filings there, and we all work together to minimize tax liability." About 15 percent of clients are publicly traded; many of the others are in various stages of venture funding.

With its extensive experience in corporate, partnership, LLC, and business formations, ACG helps guide clients in choosing the structure of a new business entity. It also assists in the strategic planning of net operating loss management, a key element of planning for high technology companies.

"Our practice is tightly focused, so clients receive personal attention and faster responses," Park notes. "By maintaining ongoing relationships with clients, we can execute research and consultation projects more efficiently."

At roughly 10,000 square feet, the new headquarters allows the group to continue its steady path of expansion. The workforce has grown to 40, with a few new hires expected to join the firm before the end of the year.

In addition to private offices and a mix of cubicles, the new suite boasts three glass-walled conference rooms, a recreation room, a "huge" kitchen, and a large private patio that hosts the occasional session of yoga and sometimes a round of ping pong.

"We understand the start-up culture, and live it daily ourselves," Lori Street, ACG's office manager, remarks.

Photo: The Alan Chinn Group's staff provides services on par with the Big 4 accounting firms.

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