HIGHLIGHTS
- Providing audit, tax and advisory services
- Partnering with this client for 15 years
- Supporting company growth, strategic planning and increased efficiencies.
BACKGROUND
GHJ’s Food and Beverage Practice has partnered with Santa Monica Seafood to support its accounting needs for the last 15 years.
Since the time GHJ began working with them, Santa Monica Seafood has undergone significant growth. GHJ’s relationship with Santa Monica Seafood began by providing audit and tax services, and the Firm now provides accounting, tax, consulting, tax planning and buy-side due diligence services as well. GHJ has been a trusted advisor and partner in Santa Monica Seafood’s success.
Santa Monica Seafood is the largest wholesale seafood-only distributor in the Southwest. Since its inception in 1939, the company has grown out of Southern California to deliver wholesale seafood products throughout the entire U.S.
GHJ’S APPROACH
Throughout the long-standing relationship, GHJ has remained proactive and responsive, always giving honest and objective business advice and bringing opportunities to Santa Monica Seafood’s attention. As the company has expanded, Santa Monica Seafood has come to look at GHJ as a trusted advisor and one-stop shop for all accounting needs.
RESULTS
GHJ has provided State and Local Tax nexus and tax planning when they moved into various states to ensure a smooth transition and supported Santa Monica Seafood through several acquisitions with tax and due diligence services.
When Santa Monica Seafood converted to a new corporate structure, GHJ was essential in developing tax planning and strategies on reorganization and was able to save them almost $2 million with the California pass-through tax.
In addition, GHJ has assisted in sophisticated individual tax planning, quarterly tax planning, M&A due diligence and helped implement lease accounting standards for Santa Monica Seafood’s accounting general ledger.
“For the last 15 years, GHJ has been a true partner to our business,” said Santa Monica Seafood President and CEO Roger O’Brien. “GHJ has provided any service we need from audit to tax to advisory, and I can always trust them to be knowledgeable, proactive and responsive, guiding Santa Monica Seafood toward growth and success.”
Santa Monica Seafood also takes advantage of GHJ’s food executive forums and other events, finding value in not only the firm’s services but also its network. It is truly a relationship set up for mutual benefit.
