If you walk down Second Street in San Francisco, you might pass a non-descript glass building at number 101 and never realize that some of the most complex financial moves in the Bay Area are being orchestrated right behind those windows. This is the home of Moss Adams San Francisco. For decades, this office has been the quiet engine behind the city's middle-market power players. But honestly, things just got a whole lot more interesting—and a bit more complicated—thanks to the massive merger with Baker Tilly that officially reshaped the firm on January 1, 2026.
People usually think of accounting firms as dry, dusty places where numbers go to die. That's a mistake. Especially in a city like San Francisco, where the "middle market" includes everything from a scaling biotech startup in Mission Bay to a generational real estate empire in Nob Hill. Moss Adams San Francisco isn’t just a place where people file taxes; it’s a strategic hub that just became part of the sixth-largest advisory and accounting firm in the United States.
The San Francisco Office: More Than Just a Map Point
The San Francisco branch isn't some satellite outpost. It’s a powerhouse. Led by partners like Kinman Tong—who’s been a staple in the local business community for years—the office sits at the intersection of traditional West Coast accounting and the high-speed demands of Silicon Valley’s northern neighbor.
You’ve probably heard of the Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG). They’re the giants. But in San Francisco, Moss Adams has carved out a niche by being "large enough to matter, small enough to care." They aren't just looking at the Fortune 500; they're looking at the companies that want to be on that list in five years.
What Actually Happens at 101 Second Street?
Basically, they handle the stuff that keeps business owners awake at 3:00 AM.
- Assurance and Audit: This is the bread and butter. If you’re a private company looking to go public or get acquired, you need these guys to verify your books so the buyers don't run for the hills.
- The Tech Specialization: San Francisco is a tech town, period. The team here spends a massive amount of time on R&D tax credits and revenue recognition for SaaS companies.
- Wealth Management: They have a dedicated arm for high-net-worth individuals. Think of the founder who just exited their company for $50 million and has no idea how to keep the IRS from taking half of it.
- State and Local Tax (SALT): California’s tax laws are a nightmare. Honestly, trying to navigate them without a specialist is like trying to sail through a Bay Area fog bank without a compass.
The 2026 Shift: The Baker Tilly Combination
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the merger. In April 2025, the news broke that Moss Adams and Baker Tilly were joining forces. It was a "landmark" deal, backed by private equity money from Hellman & Friedman and Valeas.
As of January 2026, Eric Miles—the former Moss Adams CEO—has officially taken the reins as CEO of the combined entity.
What does this mean for the Moss Adams San Francisco office? For one, the branding is shifting toward the Baker Tilly name, but the DNA of the office remains rooted in that West Coast, entrepreneurial spirit. The merger wasn't just about getting bigger; it was about survival in an era where AI and massive data sets are making traditional accounting look like a horse and buggy.
By teaming up, the San Francisco office now has access to a global network that rivals the Big Four, but they're still trying to keep that "regional" feel that local clients love. It's a tough balancing act.
Why Locals Choose Them (and Why Some Don't)
If you talk to people in the industry, you’ll get a mixed bag of opinions. On Reddit or Glassdoor, you’ll see the "great firm to start a career" comments right next to the "busy season is a meat grinder" complaints. That’s public accounting in a nutshell.
But for a client, the draw of Moss Adams San Francisco is the industry-specific knowledge. They don't just know "business"; they know your business. Whether it’s healthcare, construction, or manufacturing, they have partners who have spent 20 years looking at those specific spreadsheets.
The "People-First" Culture
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The firm talks a lot about culture. They do a "Helping Hands Day" where the entire office shuts down to volunteer for local nonprofits like the Family Giving Tree. In a city where corporate greed is a frequent headline, these actions actually build a lot of goodwill with the local workforce.
However, it’s not all sunshine and volunteer days. The hours are long. If you’re a staff accountant there, February through April is basically a blur of coffee and spreadsheets. But for many, the trade-off is the mentorship. Unlike the Big Four, where you might be "Staff Member #402," at the San Francisco office, you’re likely working directly with a partner by your second year.
Navigating the Complexity of 2026
Business in San Francisco hasn't exactly been easy lately. With the "doom loop" narrative still haunting the downtown area and commercial real estate in a state of flux, companies are looking for steady hands.
Moss Adams San Francisco has been vocal about helping clients through these shifts. They’ve leaned heavily into AI consulting—helping middle-market companies use tools to automate their own back offices. It’s a pivot from "we do your books" to "we help you build a system so you don't need us to do the basic stuff anymore."
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Real-World Impact: Kinman Tong and Local Leadership
Kinman Tong is a great example of the office’s "expert" vibe. He’s been recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as an "OUTstanding Voice" for his leadership. He doesn't just talk about numbers; he talks about inclusive boards and how not-for-profits can use New Markets Tax Credits to fund community projects.
This is the kind of nuance you want from an advisor. You don’t want a calculator; you want someone who understands the political and social landscape of the city you’re operating in.
Is Moss Adams San Francisco Right for You?
Choosing an accounting firm is kind of like choosing a doctor. You need someone who is technically proficient but also someone you actually want to talk to.
If you are a middle-market company in the Bay Area, you’re likely looking at three options:
- The Big Four: You get the name brand, but you might get "lost in the sauce" unless you're a massive account.
- The Local Boutique: You get great service, but they might lack the specialized tax knowledge for international expansion.
- Moss Adams (now Baker Tilly): You get the specialized knowledge and the international reach, but with a local team that knows the difference between the Sunset and the Richmond.
The San Francisco office at 101 Second Street hits that "Goldilocks" zone for a lot of businesses. They have the resources of a global giant (especially now in 2026) but they still have that West Coast grit.
Actionable Steps for Bay Area Business Owners
If you're looking to engage with Moss Adams San Francisco, don't just cold call the front desk.
- Identify Your Specific Pain Point: Are you struggling with R&D tax credits? Or is it a succession planning issue for a family business? They have different teams for each.
- Request an Industry Specialist: Don't just ask for an "accountant." Ask for someone who specializes in your specific sector, like Erik Weinapple for financial services or the tech-focused partners.
- Ask About the Merger Impact: Be direct. Ask how the Baker Tilly combination affects their fee structure or the resources available to your specific account.
- Check Their Community Ties: Look for their involvement in trade associations like the California Life Sciences Association. If they aren't active in your industry's local group, they might not have the "on the ground" intel you need.
Ultimately, the 2026 version of this firm is a different beast than it was a few years ago. It's bigger, it's more tech-forward, and it's backed by serious private equity. But at the end of the day, it's still about the people in that office on Second Street making sense of the numbers for the companies that keep San Francisco running.