Welcome!

Values & Philosophy

Values

When storms arrive, a strong root system helps a tree stand firm. In the same way, values steady the firm's decisions, especially when situations become difficult. Core foundational values include:

• Integrity: Do the right thing, especially when it's tough.

• Hospitality: Welcome people from all walks of life with the belief everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and at home. Humility in action serves the greater community of clients, neighbors, and the public.

• Empathy: Listen to understand the stories, experiences, and perspectives of others, as seeking the 'why' is an invitation to build mutual trust.

• Humor: Find joy in the little things and create bright moments of connection, the zest of life.

• Creativity: Maintain a willingness to ask, What if?, and lean into curiosity to find new ways of thinking, doing, and expressing.

Philosophy

In an age of increasing noise and automated (mis-)information, the value of a CPA is not only in the forms and documents prepared, but in the insight provided. While tax preparation and compliance form the foundation of the firm's services, they are reactive, reporting past events in a specific format and process. However, preparing a return provides an opportunity to establish a baseline that can become proactive advice for today's decisions, tomorrow's planning, and readiness for the future. For this reason, more information is gathered than is strictly necessary to prepare a return, better positioning the firm to be able to answer questions throughout the year and identify opportunities for advisory support or disclosure. In other words, tax preparation is the taproot that supports the client for what comes next.

Fees

Services are primarily provided on a flat-fee basis and are established after a free 45-minute introductory meeting with no expectation of commitment. The firm's minimum annual work fee is $2,400, plus an onboarding fee for new clients. The fee minimum is reflective of the time and effort devoted to every client relationship (see the next section for what that entails) and includes at least two check-in or planning meetings each year. When a project's scope is difficult to determine up-front, a standard hourly rate of $400 will apply.

Other notes regarding fees:

• The onboarding fee represents a partial allocation of time, serving as a mutual investment in the relationship’s success. See the next section for what the onboarding process entails - it's more involved than the average tax firm.

• A fee proposal customized to your situation is provided before work begins. Deviations from the fee proposal occur only if project scope changes significantly, in which case expectations may be modified.

• Fee proposals include at least two client-initiated meetings each year, along with ad hoc calls and emails. This open access encourages proactive questions, where the firm's highest value begins. The fee structure assumes this level of access is valued by the client.

• Factors that may influence the proposal include: technical complexity, organization of information, technology preferences, coordination with other advisors, communication needs, relational dynamics, and planning opportunities.

• 30% of the annual fee is due in January, or upon completion of onboarding. Progress invoices may be issued during the tax return process depending on timing and complexity, with the remaining balance invoiced when the return is complete.

• If services are terminated for any reason, time incurred to-date will be applied at a discounted rate of $350/hour on a final statement. Any excess payment will be refunded, or any balance for excess time will be due within 30 days.

The service and fee model is designed specifically for clients who value relationship-based service to address their tax and accounting needs. Because this dedicated level of attention naturally requires time, the firm recognizes this structure may not be the perfect fit for every situation. If this model does not align with what you are looking for, the firm would be happy to connect you with another trusted provider within its network.

Services & Fees

Services

Centered on comprehensive financial and tax support, services distinctly focus on:

• Tax compliance for high-net-worth and/or income-earning individuals and their entities

• Business and individual tax planning and advisory

• Estate and legacy planning and consulting

• Estate and trust administration support

• Business accounting consulting, including year-end and quarterly support

• Non-profit tax advisory

Attestation services (compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statements) are not currently offered.

A Note About Timing

All clients should hold the default expectation their income tax return(s) will be extended with an estimate.

It's possible that a client's tax return will be completed before the first due date, and yet maintaining the expectation for an extension is necessary. As tax compliance has become more complex over the last several decades, the timeline has not moved; the extension process is designed for allowing more time to prepare sophisticated filings and offers latitude for life events. Thus, this policy ensures each client's account receives the time and attention it deserves, allows for flexibility to advise on inflection points and planning opportunities that may arise during tax season, reduces undue stress, and supports a healthy work-life balance for the practitioner. An extension does not mean a lack of communication; on the contrary, it creates an opportunity to maintain dialogue during the industry's notorious busy season. Assuming clients provide necessary documentation, an extension estimate will be prepared in order for tax payments to continue to be made timely. That said, the desire to not have an unfiled return take up mental space is understood, and the firm's aim is to mitigate that as much as reasonably possible.

What to Expect

Honoring the value of Hospitality, attentive service is tailored to each client’s preferences. Clear expectations are central, whether related to processes or a client’s tax situation. In practice, this looks like:

• Collaboration with financial advisors, attorneys, bookkeepers, internal accounting teams, and other stakeholders ensuring coordinated success. A communicative team of financial professionals empowers clients to focus on what matters most for their goals and lives.

• Technology is strategically leveraged to optimize efficiency and enhance client service, while appropriately balanced with strict data security and privacy policies.

• Customized document request lists are provided to clients, to both streamline the tax preparation process and increase the firm's knowledge base with other information in order to be better prepared for questions during the year. To keep clients' time gather information to a minimum, notes are maintained for documents that can be requested directly from other service providers.

• Proactive communication from clients is welcome, and the firm is structured to be available for check-in and life update calls year-round to ensure clients receive advice when they need it most.

Estate, trust, and business consulting engagements are approached on a case-by-case basis, where the services and expectations are modeled to each situation’s needs.

An established individual client’s annual tax service cycle is generally as follows:

For prospective clients looking for annual tax compliance services, the onboarding process is generally as follows:

About Me

Notable involvement:

• American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), member

• Washington Society of CPAs (WSCPA), member

• Nat'l Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), member

• Wilderness Formations (a 501(c)(3) organization), Treasurer

My 'why'
wife Anjie & son Sam

For new client and contact inquires, please use the form below.

Hello!

My name is Josh Breiling, and I’m a CPA with over fifteen years of experience providing tax services to clients. I consider serving others my primary role, with accounting and tax as the medium through which I do that work. In other words, helping people is my focus, a posture I find personally rewarding through the formation and intentional care of relationships.

Before founding Arboris Accountancy, my work history included five years at Clothier & Head, P.S. (now part of a national firm’s Seattle office) and fourteen years at Finney Neill & Co., P.S., for which I remain deeply grateful for the opportunities provided, growth earned, and relationships cultivated. During this time, I discovered my knack for explaining complex topics in simple terms, the value of paying it forward, and the importance of quality service - all while gaining valuable experience working with a wide range of clients from individuals to entities across varied industries to non-profit orgs.

Away from the computer, I prioritize time with my family. We spend as much time outdoors as possible doing house projects, camping, fishing, enjoying a local park, and attending sports games. Nature is where I feel most centered, and it directly influenced the name Arboris Accountancy. As a Seattleite from birth, I am known to get loud at Seahawks games and root for the M’s rain or shine. When indoors, I’m often found in the kitchen creating a meal or tasty treat for loved ones, building and celebrating community, or ideating on something new.

I look forward to connecting.

Let's Start the Conversation

To provide the focus and insight your situation deserves, let’s begin with a brief understanding of your needs.

Initial consultations are free and come with no expectation of commitment.

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Referrals

Connecting good people with one another is a delight, and an evolving network of professional relationships is maintained to support clients.
If you are seeking another provider, a thoughtful recommendation can be provided based on first-hand experience with:

• financial advisors,

• attorneys,

• tax incentive specialists,

• mortgage brokers,

• real estate agents,

• business brokers,

• construction contractors,

• and other professional service providers.

If you are another professional looking to expand your network, feel free to contact the firm to schedule an initial conversation.
The firm maintains high standards for referrals, and it welcomes relationships grounded in the same care.

Arboris Accountancy, PLLC

Primarily serving the Pacific Northwest through the North King and Snohomish County corridors, including:
Bellevue, Bothell, Brier, Canyon Park, Edmonds, Everett, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Medina, Mercer Island, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Seattle, Shoreline, Snohomish, Woodinville, and surrounding areas.

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