How we help
The right strategy turns taxes from stress into strength.
Here’s how we keep you ahead — every quarter, every decision.
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Plan Ahead
Anticipate every outcome.
We plan your tax year quarter by quarter — modeling income, equity events, and cash flow — so you don't face an unexpected bill or missed opportunity.
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Business + Personal
Your financial life, connected.
Your S-Corp, investments, and personal goals all affect one another. We manage them together to minimize taxes and help your money move with intention.
3
Guide Every Decision
Expert help, year-round.
From PE and liquidity events to trust structures and stock options, we help you make confident, tax-smart choices. Before you sign, sell, or invest.
Azuma is trusted by venture-backed founders, leading investors, and successful s-corp businesses navigating California’s complex tax landscape.
About Scott
I’ve always believed taxes shouldn’t be stressful — they should be part of a bigger plan. After years in public accounting and as the in-house CPA for design firms, I founded Azuma to help business owners stay ahead of their taxes and in control of their cash flow.
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I bring a mix of big-firm experience and small-firm flexibility — built around modern tools, clear communication, and year-round support.
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When I’m not working with clients, I’m cycling California’s coast or experimenting with vegan recipes my kids may or may not approve of.
What working with Azuma looks like
A modern, proactive partnership built for clarity, speed, and confidence.
How do we work together? Everything happens digitally. We use Google Drive, Sheets, and Meet so you can see every piece of your financial picture from anywhere. You’ll always know what’s happening, what’s next, and what decisions need your input.
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Do you only work with clients in California? Many clients are in California or have California exposure, but I’ve filed and planned across nearly every U.S. state. If your income, business, or investments touch California, we’ll make sure every state interaction is accounted for.
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Can you just file my return? Yes, but the real value comes from planning before filing. Working together year-round allows us to structure income, salary, and distributions before they hit your return. When people only show up at filing time, it’s often too late to change the outcome.
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Founders & Investors
I have founder shares or equity grants — can you help? Yes. Equity planning is one of my favorite parts of this work. I’ve helped clients at companies like Uber, Google, and Affirm navigate stock options, QSBS, and pre-IPO decisions. In one case, a founder saved over $10 million by restructuring which shares were sold during an IPO event — simply by understanding the difference in tax treatment.
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I’m facing an IPO or liquidity event — when should I call you? The earlier the better. Ideally, before a sale or vesting event. We’ll map out your equity, model different sale scenarios, and plan for long-term benefits like QSBS or trust structures that lock in lower tax rates. These moves are only available with time and foresight.
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Should I put my equity or shares into a trust? Sometimes, yes — but it depends on timing and goals. For certain founders, we’ve expanded QSBS eligibility or frozen future appreciation through carefully structured trusts. For others, it wasn’t necessary. The key is knowing before you act.
Business Owners
Do you provide bookkeeping? No — but I work closely with your bookkeeper to review and improve your data. Clean books are the foundation for better strategy. My focus is on turning those numbers into decisions: owner compensation, cash flow, and tax forecasting.
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Do you offer “tax-only” business services? I can, but it’s not where the real results happen. When you only come around once a year, you handicap your own planning. The best outcomes come from quarterly collaboration — seeing your numbers in real time and adjusting before the year ends.
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Do you handle both my business and personal returns? Yes, and that’s what makes our work so powerful. I specialize in single-owner and small-owner S-Corps — the sweet spot where your business strategy and your personal wealth strategy are one conversation.
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What size of business do you work with? Most clients earn between $1 million and $8 million annually, but the ideal fit is an engaged owner who wants clarity, not just compliance. If you value understanding your numbers, we’ll work well together.
If you’re asking questions like these, you’re exactly the kind of client Azuma was built for. We’ll start with a short call to understand your goals and map the best next step.
What Our Clients Say
“Scott has been instrumental in guiding me through the intricacies of taxes and accounting since I opened my business. His team is prompt in responding to my questions, and the tax preparation is thorough. What sets Azuma apart is their responsiveness and the seamless integration of technology into their services.”
Amanda Hardesty
Owner, Hardesty Dwyer & Co
Contact Me
To become a new client, find a time, answer a few questions, and select video or phone.
Tel: 415.349.1568 / Email: hello@azuma.co
If you’re just browsing, enjoy your stay. If you’d like to become a customer, we’d love to have you. Either way, thanks for visiting!