In El Cajon, California, a small tax firm is making a big difference for local business owners and families who feel lost during tax season. Shammas Tax isn’t the typical high-pressure accounting office. It’s a place where people walk in overwhelmed and walk out feeling lighter.
“We started with one goal,” says tax preparer Andre Shammas. “To make taxes and budgeting simple enough for everyone to understand. If people leave here confused, we haven’t done our job.”
That focus on clarity and fairness has shaped the firm’s steady rise. What began as a straightforward tax preparation service has grown into a trusted resource for self-employed workers, freelancers, and small business owners who want real guidance — not jargon.
From Malaga to El Cajon: A Journey of Learning and Leadership
Andre’s story begins in Malaga, Spain. He and his family moved to the United States in the 1990s, an experience that taught him empathy for people navigating complex systems. “I still remember helping my parents fill out forms when we first came here,” he recalls. “They didn’t understand the language or the rules. That’s when I learned how important clear explanations really are.”
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from San Diego State University, Andre began his career as an auditor for the State of California. It was there that he developed his core belief that fairness should guide every professional decision. “Auditing teaches you two things fast,” he says. “Details matter, and people deserve to be treated with honesty.”
That commitment followed him when he joined Shammas Bureau and helped establish what would later become Shammas Tax — a team grounded in accessibility, trust, and service.
Helping Small Businesses Stay Organised
One of the firm’s biggest strengths is its focus on small business owners — the freelancers, contractors, and entrepreneurs who form the backbone of local economies. Many of them come to Shammas Tax feeling stressed and behind on paperwork.
“Small business owners work so hard,” Andre says. “They’re handling sales, customer service, and daily operations. Budgeting and taxes often end up last on the list.”
He remembers one client, a landscaper, who arrived with a shoebox full of receipts and no idea where to begin. “We spent an afternoon sorting everything by hand,” he says. “By the end, we built a simple system he could actually keep up with. He emailed me months later saying it changed how he ran his business.”
That hands-on, personal approach has become the firm’s hallmark. Rather than focusing on quick fixes, the team takes time to help clients build lasting systems that reduce stress long-term.
A Philosophy Built on Fairness and Transparency
Fairness is the thread that runs through everything Andre does. It’s not just a professional standard — it’s a personal value.
“When you treat clients fairly, you earn their trust,” he explains. “I’d rather take the time to explain something than rush through it. People deserve to understand what’s happening with their taxes.”
He’s quick to admit that some of the best lessons come from experience. “Early on, I realised that people aren’t looking for perfection — they’re looking for honesty,” he says. “If you make a mistake, own it. If something’s unclear, explain it.”
It’s a philosophy that resonates in a world where many people feel disconnected from the financial process.
Keeping Things Clear, Not Complicated
At Shammas Tax, simplicity is a strategy. The team avoids overcomplicating their systems or overwhelming clients with technical language. Instead, they focus on clarity.
“Someone once told me they felt stupid for not understanding their taxes,” Andre says. “That shouldn’t happen. It’s our job to make it clear, not their job to figure it out.”
This mindset doesn’t just help clients — it helps the business thrive. Word of mouth has been one of their biggest growth drivers, with satisfied customers referring friends and colleagues who want the same straightforward experience.
According to a recent SCORE report, 40% of small business owners say bookkeeping and taxes are their biggest operational challenge. Firms like Shammas Tax are proving that with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be.
Lessons in Leadership
Andre believes that leadership starts with listening. Whether it’s clients, colleagues, or community members, he takes time to hear people out before offering advice. “You can’t help someone until you understand what they’re struggling with,” he says.
He also credits his parents for shaping his approach. “They taught me that if you succeed, it should lift the people around you too,” he explains. “That’s how I run the business — shared success.”
Even outside work, his leadership philosophy stays the same. He spends his free time with family, BBQing, exploring San Diego, and giving back to the community that supported him. “My family keeps me grounded,” he says. “They remind me why I started doing this in the first place.”
The Future of Fairness in Accounting
Looking ahead, Andre wants Shammas Tax to continue expanding its impact — not necessarily by growing bigger, but by staying true to its values. “We don’t need to be the largest firm,” he says. “We just need to stay reliable and human. People still value that.”
His long-term goal is simple: keep educating, keep simplifying, and keep serving the small business owners who make their communities stronger.
“When people walk out of our office feeling less stressed than when they came in,” Andre says, “that’s success. It means we did our job right.”