George Morris

Shortly after George Morris received his BS from U.C. Berkeley, he began work as a staff accountant for Main Hardman CPAs. His next position was as an accounting manager with Blue Shield of California. In 1970, George joined his friend Greg Calegari at Greg's father's already well-established accounting firm.

George takes care of three types of clients: high net-worth individuals, businesses in the personal service industry, and manufacturing companies. Ask George his tenets of good service and he's clear: First on his list is his commitment to responding to clients' requests in an especially timely manner. He also stresses the importance of listening to his clients; George makes every effort to fully understand his clients' concerns and financial situations. The fact is, he genuinely cares about his clients, many of whom he's known for years. Technical competence is another one of George's attributes, and like the rest of us he puts his skills and knowledge to use by being proactive, thinking ahead for his clients and checking in with them often.

As part of George's objective approach, he avoids any conflict of interest, and if he feels a professional outside the firm can more effectively help a client, he won't hesitate to recommend that person-an action that immediately earns Calegari & Morris credibility and respect. "Being active in San Francisco's financial community for so many years," states George, "we know who's best in their field, and those are the people we send our clients to."

George spends about 20 percent of his free time volunteering in the community. He adamantly eschews golf, preferring to wield a weed-whacker or chainsaw—or to engage in any "non-number-related" activity where he can be out in nature, especially in West Marin.

George Morris on Calegari & Morris:

"The firm has stayed true to a tradition of limiting ourselves to tax-related practices. Because of this, we've been able to hire experienced people and maintain a very low rate of employee turnover. It's a circle: with people staying with the firm year after year, the relationships we develop with our clients are lasting. Our understanding of our clients runs deep, and they reap the benefits in the quality product we give them."