Our History

As the largest accounting practice in Richmond, our firm's longstanding reputation for providing quality service reflects the high standards required by our profession. Our responsive service and specialized staff spell the difference between our firm and the rest serving our community for nearly 40 years.

Our firm has evolved into its current form as the result of two individual practices that began in the 1940's and 1950's - L.H. Peterson and Gilbert D. Cartwright, who both established their tax practices in Richmond. Our current principals began with the firm of Stephens & Petsas, CPAs.

In 1972 the Peterson firm was taken over by the new firm, Stephens & Petsas, CPAs. Gilbert Cartwright, CPA, who had opened his public accounting practice in 1954, was joined in 1976 by daughter, Alison.

In 1987 Jack Hill joined the firm as a principal and, shortly thereafter, Mila Nues Coffey, who started as a staff accountant, became the third principal. Alison Cartwright Mitchell merged her practice into the firm in 1999, six years after the death of her father.

Jack Hill retired in 2010 and Carl Uratsu became the newest principal of the firm.

Alison Mitchell & Gus Petsas retired in 2018.

PH Tax & Wealth Solutions CPAs, Inc. is the largest and oldest public accounting firm in West Contra Costa County, serving a wide range of clients from all over the country and the world. Through personalized attention to the needs of our clients and the unique skills offered in taxation and general life style planning, PH Tax & Wealth Solutions CPAs, Inc. is the firm of choice. Our clients are friends and members of a greater community who grow to trust us because of the legacy established by L.H. Peterson and Gilbert D. Cartwright.