Williams & Associates Company Profile

n Oakland California, Robert Williams' business is an institution. Robert's father opened Williams Tax Service in the seventies, and served clients in the Oakland community who became friends and family to the Williams'. Robert started out bringing carbon paper when needed, sharpening pencils and making copies, but it wasn't long before he realized he liked working with numbers and helping folks with tax forms. "Of course, nowadays nothing is done with paper and pencil anymore," laughs Robert.

Professional Excellence with a Personal Touch
Robert Williams was born and raised in Oakland, attended Oakland public schools, and studied business and accounting at San Francisco State University. He graduated and took over his father's business, changing the name slightly to Williams & Associates, in 1986. Robert says the "associates" refers to satellite offices in New York and Georgia. It also reflects his vision for a "coast-to-coast" business model. Despite Williams & Associates' booming growth. Robert steadfastly maintains his personal connection to his clients, many of whom have been coming to the Williams family for generations. The third wave of Williams' is beginning to take root in the company; one daughter has been operating as the office manager, and another is ready to step into dad's shoes as a full-fledged preparer.

A devout and civic-minded man, Robert Williams sees his job as not simply computing and filing a return, but rather a relationship and a bond. He finds that people come in looking for tax advice and wind up baring their souls. He keeps a box of tissues on his desk; tears are not uncommon. Robert does not distinguish between professional responsibility and moral obligation. His heart and soul are clearly in his work "This is my passion-it's not just a job," says Robert.

Wisdom from Experience
Other tax preparers might feel slightly intimidated by the prevalence of cheap, seasonal tax preparation services, but not Robert. In fact Robert worked briefly for H&R Block, to learn some of the secrets of its success. He reports the experience was "Extremely valuable as a tax practitioner, and a business owner." The Oakland branch of Williams & Associates is located near one of their branches, and Robert sees this as an advantage. It is his belief that customers ought to be able to choose from more than one competent tax preparer.

Other tax preparers try to entice customers with proclamations about "fighting the IRS," but "fighting is not in anyone's best interest," says Robert. "I try to get solutions that are fair and just under the circumstances, for both the client and the IRS."

Robert Williams points out that Williams & Associates provide a wide variety of services, not limited to tax preparation. The business is open and thriving year-round, not just January through April. Clients often receive mid-year tax advice. Other specialties include filing articles of incorporation, financial planning, notary public, levies, liens and wage garnishments.

No matter what they came in for, "clients are family," says Robert. And no matter what, Robert is there with sound advice...and a box of tissues if necessary.


---Genevieve Albers
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report