About David Rachford CPA | Goleta & Santa Barbara Certified Public Accountant

David Rachford, CPA

A different kind of Santa Barbara CPA

David Rachford is a Certified Public Accountant based in Goleta, California, who has been serving small businesses, investors, and families throughout Santa Barbara County for over 15 years.

His practice is built around a simple premise: small business owners and investors deserve the same quality of tax advice that large firms give their biggest clients — without the overhead, the junior-staff runaround, or the hourly billing anxiety.

Before running his own practice, David developed expertise in areas most local CPA firms rarely touch — startup tax planning (Section 1202 QSBS, 83(b) elections, S-corp to C-corp conversions), real estate investor tax strategy, and complex individual returns for clients with multi-source income.

That range of experience shows up every day: whether he's optimizing an S-corp officer salary for a Goleta contractor, analyzing QSBS holding period compliance for a UCSB-adjacent startup founder, or helping a Santa Barbara real estate investor structure a 1031 exchange, David brings the kind of depth that comes from working across the full spectrum of small business and investor tax.

Outside the office, David is a U.S. Navy veteran, fitness enthusiast, and is involved with Power of Your Om (POYO) yoga and supplement product development in the Santa Barbara area.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — California Board of Accountancy
QuickBooks ProAdvisor certified
U.S. Navy Veteran
Member, The Sandbox Goleta coworking community
Section 1202 QSBS and startup equity tax specialist
Based in Goleta, CA — serving all of Santa Barbara County

How the practice works

What working with David Rachford CPA looks like

No handoffs

You work with David directly

Every question, every call, every return is handled by David — not delegated to staff. You always know who you're talking to.

Year-round

Available beyond tax season

David is responsive year-round for questions, planning conversations, and mid-year changes — not only in March and April.

Straight talk

No jargon, no fear-based selling

David gives you a plain-language assessment of your options and what they cost and save — so you can make an informed decision.

Fixed scope

Clear pricing before you commit

Every engagement starts with a free consultation and a clear written scope before any work begins. No surprise invoices.

Who David works with

The clients David Rachford CPA serves best

David's practice is not the right fit for everyone — and that's by design. He works best with:

S-corp shareholders and small business owners in Goleta, Santa Barbara, and throughout Santa Barbara County who need more than annual return preparation — they want a CPA who proactively identifies planning opportunities.

Real estate investors with rental income, short-term rentals, or active portfolios who want their depreciation, passive losses, and 1031 strategy handled correctly from the start.

Startup founders and early employees with equity compensation — stock options, restricted stock, QSBS — who need a CPA who understands Section 1202, 83(b) elections, and multi-stage exit planning.

HOAs and condominium associations in Santa Barbara County that need their annual Form 1120-H return and optional financial statement reviews handled by a CPA who knows the niche.

Individuals with complex returns — significant investment income, multiple Schedule D lots, foreign tax credits, trust distributions, or household employees — who need a CPA, not a storefront preparer.

Sound like you? Let's talk.

Book a free 20-min call with David

5290 Overpass Rd #40, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
69 Santa Felicia Drive, Suite 26, Goleta, CA 93117

Certified Public Accountant — Goleta & Santa Barbara, CA