Certified Public Accountants · Richmond, California
Tax first. Then the whole financial picture.
The largest and oldest public accounting firm in West Contra Costa County, with Richmond roots going back to the 1940s. CPAs, a CFP® professional and an Enrolled Agent work from the same numbers, so your return, your estate plan and your retirement plan agree with each other.
Open Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, and Saturdays 10am–3pm.
Credentials on the team
- CPACertified Public Accountants
- PFSAICPA Personal Financial Specialist
- CFP®CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
- EAIRS Enrolled Agent
- Series 6 · 7 · 63 · 66Securities licenses held on the team
What we do
Three services, one set of numbers.
The return comes first. Estate and wealth decisions are built on top of it, by the same people, in the same office on Blume Drive.
-
Tax Planning & Preparation
Returns for individuals, businesses, non-profits and the fiduciaries of estates and trusts, checked twice before anything is filed.
- Software checks that flag what the IRS may look at more closely
- An internal review of every return before it is submitted
- Payroll withholding set so less goes to the IRS as an interest-free loan
- A sheet of commonly overlooked deductions for next year
Led by Carl Uratsu, CPA · Mila Nues Coffey, CPA/PFS, CFP®
More on tax planning & preparation -
Estate Planning & Trust Administration
Help defining what you want to happen, and the tax work that makes it hold up: for you, your heirs and your trustees.
- Define your goals and assemble the legal, financial and tax team
- Fewer probate problems and expenses
- Tax planning for living wills and trusts, lifetime family wealth transfers and charitable gifts
- Estate and trust tax preparation
Led by Mila Nues Coffey · Jason Dondero, EA
More on estate & trust work -
Financial Services & Wealth Strategies
Planning that starts from your tax return, so retirement, investing and legacy decisions are made with the tax effect in view.
- Retirement planning*
- Education planning*
- Investment management*
- Legacy planning
- Cash flow and debt management
- Family risk management
- Business planning
- Special situations
*Offered by Mila Coffey through her affiliation with Avantax.
Led by Mila Nues Coffey, CPA/PFS, CFP®
More on financial services
Our history
Two Richmond practices. One firm since 1999.
L.H. Peterson’s tax practice and Gilbert D. Cartwright’s CPA practice served Richmond side by side for decades. In 1999 they became one firm. Mila Nues Coffey has been part of it since 1986, and Carl Uratsu since 1997.
The Peterson practice
Richmond, from the 1940s
- 1940sL.H. Peterson establishes his tax practice in Richmond.
- 1972The Peterson firm is taken over by the new firm of Stephens & Petsas, CPAs.
- 1986Mila Nues Coffey joins in January as a staff accountant.
- 1987Jack Hill joins as a principal; Mila soon becomes the third principal.
- 1997Carl Uratsu joins the firm.
The Cartwright practice
Richmond, from 1954
- 1954Gilbert D. Cartwright, CPA, opens his public accounting practice in Richmond.
- 1976Alison Cartwright joins her father’s practice.
One firm
Since the 1999 merger
- 1999Alison Cartwright Mitchell merges her practice into the firm. Two streams, one firm.
- 2010Jack Hill retires; Carl Uratsu becomes the newest principal.
- 2018Alison Mitchell and Gus Petsas retire.
- TodayPH Tax & Wealth Solutions CPAs, Inc.: the largest and oldest public accounting firm in West Contra Costa County.
How we work
Five values, written down and worked by.
Our clients are friends and members of a greater community. These five values describe how we look after them, from the first phone call to the last signature.
-
Simplify
We take your complex issues and help simplify them for your ease and peace of mind.
-
Educate
We coach you, share knowledge and answer questions so that you can make well informed decisions.
-
Teamwork
We use our strengths to work as a cohesive team to better serve you.
-
Seek Mastery
We develop our skills, expertise and wisdom to share with you.
-
Enjoy the Journey
We want to have fun doing what we do, by helping you achieve your goals.
Meet the team
Four people, each with a direct extension.
Between them: two CPAs, an AICPA Personal Financial Specialist, a CFP® professional and an IRS Enrolled Agent. Ask for anyone by name.
-
Mila Nues Coffey, CPA/PFS, CFP®
Shareholder
With the firm since January 1986
Focus Individual, fiduciary and estate taxation · estate and individual tax planning · financial consulting
BS in Business Administration (Accounting), San Francisco State University. PFS designation from the AICPA; Series 7 and Series 6 securities and insurance licenses; Investment Adviser Representative through her affiliation with Avantax.
-
Carl Uratsu, CPA
Shareholder
In public accounting since 1990; joined in 1997
Focus Individual, corporate, partnership and non-profit taxation · accounting services
BS in Business (Accounting), San Jose State University. Holds Series 6 and 7 securities licenses, and leads the team that performs accounting services.
-
Jason Dondero, EA
With the firm since 2007
Focus Financial consulting · tax planning and preparation for individuals and fiduciaries of estates and trusts
BS in Business Administration (Accounting), California State University, East Bay. Registered Representative with Series 6, 63, 66 and 7 licenses; California Dept. of Insurance Life Agent.
-
Summer Harralson
Joined in 2012
Focus Financial consulting · tax department · client communications · individual return preparation and review
BS in Applied and Computational Mathematics, University of California, Irvine. Became a Registered Representative with her Series 6 license in 2014.
Client reviews
“Over 20 years.” “Since 2000.” “Over three decades.”
I am always pleased with the professional, competent and responsive services I have received for over 20 years. Carl Uratsu ensures my taxes are completed with the utmost attention to tax law. I am grateful to have such an outstanding team working on our family’s behalf. I highly recommend PH Tax & Wealth Solutions as the best firm around.
-
I’ve used their services since 2000 for business (RealEstate) and joint family reporting. Never a problem, plus they anticipate situations we have sometimes overlooked. The price is right and they always have smiles -the whole office. You will not be dissatisfied if you avail yourself of their service’s
Charles Harris · Google review -
A highly respected, competent , knowledgeable and professional people providing valuable expertise in financial management , tax preparation, investment , and more. My life has turned around from a negative to a positive through the valuable guidance of Mila Nues Coffey; I have trusted her for over three decades.
Zita Ibrahim · Google review -
These guys are great! Very thorough, very experienced and very trustworthy!
Debi Walker · Google review
Reviews are quoted as written. Client testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are not a guarantee of future performance or success.
In the community
Richmond is more than an address for us.
Scholarships at Contra Costa College, environmental education for children, the regional parks and the parish in Pinole: this is where the firm’s time goes outside tax season.
Community service-
Contra Costa College Foundation
Mila serves as president, helping raise funds for student scholarships. Contra Costa College named her a Distinguished Alumni in 2009.
-
George Miller Youth Fund
Mila is treasurer of the fund, whose primary goal is environmental education for children.
-
East Bay Regional Park District
An ambassador since 2006, sharing information about the parks, trails and community events.
-
St. Joseph Parish, Pinole
On the Parish Finance Council since 2009, and a lector, Eucharistic minister and catechist.
Free resources
Answers you can look up tonight.
Refund status, deadlines, forms and rates, plus a library of articles and calculators on tax, retirement and estate questions.
Reading and calculators
- Federal Capital Gains Tax Estimator
- Making Your Tax Bracket Work
- Tax Efficiency in Retirement
- How Much Do I Need To Retire?
- Year-End Charitable Gifting and You
- Leaving Your Lasting Legacy
Browse the full library: articles · calculators · videos
Questions
Before you call.
Short answers to what new clients ask most.
Where is PH Tax & Wealth Solutions CPAs located?
The office is at 3220 Blume Drive, Suite 221, Richmond, CA 94806, in West Contra Costa County. It is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Call (510) 223-6300 or email info@phcpas.com.
What services does the firm offer?
Three practice areas: tax planning and preparation; estate planning and trust administration; and financial services and wealth strategies. Carl Uratsu, CPA, also leads the team that performs accounting services.
Who prepares and reviews my tax return?
Returns are handled by a team that includes shareholders Mila Nues Coffey, CPA/PFS, CFP®, and Carl Uratsu, CPA, with Jason Dondero, EA, and Summer Harralson. Every return goes through software checks and an internal review process before it is submitted.
Do you prepare returns for estates and trusts?
Yes. Fiduciary taxation for estates and trusts is a stated concentration for Mila Nues Coffey and Jason Dondero, EA, and the firm helps with tax planning for living wills and trusts, lifetime family wealth transfers, family partnerships and charitable gifts.
Do you work with businesses and non-profits?
Yes. Carl Uratsu’s concentrations include corporate, partnership and non-profit taxation, and he leads the firm’s accounting services team.
How are investment and retirement planning services offered?
Retirement planning, education planning and investment management are offered by Mila Coffey through her affiliation with Avantax. Securities are offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, and advisory services through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. You can check any financial professional’s background on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
How long has the firm been in Richmond?
The firm grew out of two Richmond practices: L.H. Peterson’s, which began in the 1940s, and Gilbert D. Cartwright’s, opened in 1954. It describes itself as the largest and oldest public accounting firm in West Contra Costa County.
How do I pay my bill or send documents?
Existing clients can pay online through Pay Your Bill and exchange files through the Revver Document Portal. Avantax clients can sign in to the AdviceWorks Client Portal. New clients should start with a phone call.
Start with a conversation
Call the office, or book a time that suits you.
A real person answers on weekdays and Saturdays. Tell us what is on your mind: a return, an estate, a retirement question. We will put you with the right person.
- Visit
- 3220 Blume Drive, Suite 221
Richmond, CA 94806
Directions - Hours
- Mon–Fri 9am–5pmSat 10am–3pmSun Closed
- info@phcpas.com