I had James Ridout do my taxes for me this year. As I have a business with the an LC Disc and K forms it's not the easiest to do, but James did a perfectly great job. I couldn't have been more pleased with the results regardless of what I ended up owing. Better yet, in meeting with him, he is a really nice friendly guy besides being a true professional. He's easy to talk to and listens to all you have to say. read more

Warning I would not use this company if they were the last company on Earth! Their office is a total mess they have about six people touching your books and one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing they never return phone calls they never respond to emails or acknowledge that they received emails. Your books go through new employees every week. it's revolving doors around there no communication and they totally screw up your books they cost me probably 25,000 or more on their mistakes IRS gave me a civil penalty of $20,000 because they did not match up my 2019 taxes when they did them I had a different accounting in 2019 who did the books correctly and the w-2s and 940 matched however, James rideouts office when they actually did the taxes screwed it up by not matching the other accountants correct information when he filed my 2019 taxes and caused the IRS to give me a civil penalty of $20,000. They have not fixed this error or bothered to look into it even though they sat on it for a month when I gave it to them it's still not fixed and I am making payments on it whereas James Rideout CPA should be making the payments! Then when Aaron was doing my books and did a pretty good job left the next five people that touch my books not one of them ever paid my dor taxes (department of revenue) so now I owe about $40,000 there. For whatever reason they decided to pay workers compensation on regular hours but did not bother to pay workers compensation on overtime or mechanics time that was another $5,000 that I had to pay. They deleted some of my active customers for whatever reason and of course they never asked me! A matter of fact I always wonder why they never ask me any questions on my books because they just don't care! I could put a $50,000 deposit in and they never asked me what it is for. They said I did not have to file 1099s which is incorrect. They are so lost and confused in that office they said that they put on my records on a thumb drive and put it in the mail so I waited for about a month and still never got it they are only a block and a half away from me they could have called and I would have picked it up but no instead it got lost in the shuffle finally the receptionist got tired of hearing from me went and dug it out from underneath the stack of paperwork on Anthony's desk and finally put it in the mail to me instead of calling me again! So they took a generous amount of money out of my checking account every month to pay for their services that they were not providing when I finally left and went to my first accountant she said that my books hadn't even been reconciled for months but yet somehow they print a profit and loss sheet and a balance sheet and send it to me occasionally at the end of the month which in no way possible can it be correct when they haven't balanced the books! I believe they should be paying me $30,000 back for their mistakes!!! I would not touch this place with a 10-foot pole. It is revolving doors around there maybe two people have stayed on board but from what I can tell every month if not every week somebody else is doing my books and I have run into formal employees that also agree that places a mess and nobody knows what's going on around there. I have had three of their old employees contact me wanting to do my books saying that now they can focus on them and do them right and said that James rideout CPA's office is a disaster! Beware, they will try to roll all the blame on you instead of taking their own responsibility for all of their mistakes! They will flat out lie to you and try to turn it around to blame you. If you confront them about how horrible they are they just drop you as a client move on to somebody else and rip them off! I cannot believe that he would charge me a ridiculous amount every month for nothing not even do my books balance the sheets or touch the account that is called fraud!!!!!!! read more

This tax services is very sloppy and negligent. They make gross errors for a simple tax preparation that cost me thousands. Horrible negligent place will never use them again. read more

I've had several CPA's over the years. I cannot tell you how easy James is work work with. He knows his job well. He knows what questions to ask, to get the right information. He is also very fast in gettinging the taxes prepared. I do not have to wait till the 11th hour. Thanks James and team. read more

I called to discuss if they could help me doing my taxes, and was told I would need to come in for an in person consultation. I asked if I should bring anything such as pervious taxes or incorporation papers and was told I didn't need anything and this would you'd be an initial consultation for them to learn more. They set me up for almost two weeks later, their earliest availability. Before hanging up I asked again, "are you sure I don't need to bring anything?" - again, I was told no. I arrived for my appointment and waited to see the accountant in their waiting area. He came out a few minutes later and escorted me to his office. I explained my situation, and how I'd need to do my taxes this year, and he said, ok let me see your paperwork. I had brought along a couple of documents, just in case. Apparently this wasn't enough. He told me "well without your papers I can't help you. I can't do anything for you." I explained I was told not to bring anything. He again repeated that without my paperwork he couldn't help and I'd have to reschedule. Then he kind of tossed the papers I had handed him, on the desk, towards me. He seemed frustrated? But imagine my frustration. He didn't apologize. He didn't seem sorry at all. It was almost as if I was wasting his time, when in reality they had wasted my time. It was a quick 2 minute exchange and I left. I obviously didn't reschedule. read more

I called in asking for an appointment. I explained why. Then the girl told me hey it will be a week before I can even get you a consulting appointment. While she was professional it was not a great start. I have worked with a few accountants over the years. Due to the fact I am back in Ft Lauderdale after so long I need one here. It seems weird that a preliminary appointment would not be shoved in somewhere in 2-3 days time as it is just to see if they can help me and if they feel we can work well together usually 10 - 15min. Then set up a real appointment later down the line. It is the easiest sales tactic in the world make a free set up appt or charge whatever small fee then earn the right to their business with great service! Well it is what it is. read more

We hired this office to handle both personal and multiple business accounts in 2021. Despite providing all documents 3 months prior to filing dates, they STILL needed to charge us to file extensions so they would have more time. However, even after we paid for the extension, they STILL didn't file on time and we were hit with late fees and penalties on ALL the businesses! When we contacted James, rather than resolving the issue, he became defensive and started gas-lighting us saying it was our fault that he took 9 months to file our returns! This was just 1 of many red flags at this practice. If you need your taxes done right and/or on time, don't want to be left out to dry with unnecessary IRS debt, or deal with defensive, unprofessional, unqualified staff, I highly recommend that you try and find a competent CPA elsewhere. We are STILL cleaning up his mess 3 years later. read more

If I could give negative stars I would! Would not recommend him to anybody! I went to James to file my 2021 taxes and asked him just to double check my previous two years prior. He then sent me a bill and tried to charge me for filing 3 years of taxes. I then corrected the issue, paid him for my 1 year of filing and we were good. Fast forward to today when I tried to go in to file my 2022 taxes, he was telling me that I have unpaid dues that I never paid. As I tried to explain the situation to him and he seemed to get frustrated and said he doesn't welcome my business due to lack of communication. He never tried to contact me about any unpaid dues or anything himself, he simply canceled me as a client and never informed me of anything. Don't bother! read more

I've relocated to Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago. I've had the same outstanding CPA Tax Preparer on Long Island since 1991 and decided to search Yelp to evaluate the reviews of the numerous CPA's near Wilton Manors which resulted in me choosing James Rideout because his reviews were very impressive. James and his Team are very experienced and friendly. My taxes were pretty extensive and diverse and I needed someone who would garner my confidence that they'd prepare them as accurately as possible, which they did an outstanding job. I've told them that I'm 100% satisfied and I'm really proud that I've found a lifetime replacement for my long time CPA friend up on Long Island. I definitely recommend James and his Team to everyone who may be reading this review in search of an experienced and friendly CPA. read more

Today I had my taxes done by James. It was a pleasure having used him. It was a slightly non normal return for me and he was very methodical going over everything to make sure it was all correct. Which made me feel safe in using James. what a great find in Wilton Manors... definitely coming back in 2021 read more

I have been waiting over 8 months to hear any updates from this office via phone call. After filing multiple years of amended returns and writing multiple checks. I started getting bills from the IRS and this office did nothing about it. They did not back me up or even look at my account. Due to the miss handling's of this office I do not even have a relevant profile of my name or my address or information on the IRS website. I also was told they were working with my ex wife after I was the original client. I have strong suspicions that something very shady is going on. read more

Great experience in every way. Erin is incredibly organized and James is a gifted Accountant.

James was great at taking care of my tax needs. I had him do mine and my S.O's taxes. We could not have happier with his work. I will definitely be calling him next year for tax season! Thank you James! read more

I started with James on September 2020. He took over from my last bookkeeper. And did a fine job fixing and getting everything in order. He paid attention to details and had many good suggestions. I would not hesitate recommending this gentleman for anyone with bookkeeping and accounting needs read more

James was great. During this shelter in place order, he made it so easy for us to get our taxes filed, without needing any in-person meeting. As long as you have the few documents he needs to get the returns done, it's really just a matter of sending them over to James, securely/electronically. Very professional, responsive, and looking forward to using James again for 2020. read more

James has been a breath of fresh air ever since we engaged him after a "messy breakup" with our last accountant. He helped us to get caught up on our personal and business taxes, working tirelessly to find the best tax strategy for us and to mitigate any penalities we were facing. He is diligent, professional, thorough and kind and he stands behind his work. I recommend him with no hesitation! read more

I have been working with James for about 1.5 years. I own a hair salon as well as a marketing company. He's done my book keeping which includes several accounts of credits and debits. Many expenses. He's done an excelllent job for a very reasonable price. He also helps with my tax returns, both personal and business. Again, excellent job at a very reasonable price. He is always available for a phone call and quick to answer emails if I have any questions. He stays on top on everything throughout the year. Besides tax and tax advice, he helps networks with his clients and his large business network. He got me a client for my marketing business recently. I am more than happy, and I recommend him to every small business owner. read more

Jim has been my accountant for two years, and he has done a wonderful job. He is prompt, professional, thorough, orderly, responsive, and asks all the right questions. I highly recommend him to others. read more

Last year I waited over 4 months to get my income tax done. After initially sending over the paperwork in February, I waited till March & called to get the status and was told he never received my papers. So I resent it & had to wait until June for it to be finalized. I had used the same person for about 10 years & decided it was time for a change. I went on google & looked for a CPA in broward. James was one of the 10 best listed and he wasn't that far away. I made an appointment on Feb. 9, picked it up on Feb16, and it was deposited into my account on March 3. Tell me that isn't service. Now I will look forward to the first of the year and getting taxes done thanks to James & Joe read more

In the past several years I've dealt with 3 other CPA firms and have left them because I felt that they were charging me way too much money, for not doing that much work. I've got my suspicions that they were outsourcing to india and other countries the book keeping and and tax work that I was paying top dollar for. Anyways, I feel James is the exact opposite. He doesn't have a huge firm. It's just him attending to my business tax needs, and it's perfect. I can tell he works hard for me and is there to answer my questions whenever I may have them. His prices are super fair. He's friendly, down to earth, and I recommend him to any business owner. read more

James has done my families personal tax return for 2 years now. He is a pleasure to work with and explains the different tax laws to me when I have questions. I recommend James Ridout as a CPA to anyone who is considering him, whether for business or personal. read more