In El Cajon, California, a small tax firm makes a big difference for local business owners and families who feel lost during tax season. Shammas Tax is not your typical high-pressure accounting firm. It’s a place where people go in overwhelmed and leave with a feeling of lightness.
“We started with a goal,” says tax advisor Andre Shammas. “To make taxes and budgeting simple enough for everyone to understand. If people leave here confused, we haven’t done our job.”
This focus on clarity and fairness has shaped the company’s steady rise. What started as a straightforward tax preparation service has grown into a trusted resource for self-employed people, freelancers and small business owners who want real advice, 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 remember helping my parents fill out forms when we 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 graduating from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Andre began his career as an auditor for the state of California. There he developed his core belief that fairness should guide every professional decision. “Auditing teaches you two things quickly,” he says. “Details matter and people deserve to be treated honestly.”
This commitment followed him as he joined Shammas Bureau and helped build what would become Shammas Tax – a team built on accessibility, trust and service.
We help small businesses stay organized
One of the company’s greatest strengths is its focus on small business owners – freelancers, contractors and entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the local economy. Many of them come to Shammas Tax feeling stressed and behind on paperwork.
“Small business owners work so hard,” says Andre. “They handle sales, customer service and day-to-day operations. Budgeting and taxes often come last.”
He remembers one customer, a landscaper, who arrived with a shoebox full of receipts and had no idea where to start. “We spent an afternoon sorting everything by hand,” he says. “We ended up developing a simple system that he could actually keep up with. Months later, he emailed me saying it changed the way he ran his business.”
This practical, personal approach has become the company’s trademark. Instead of focusing on quick fixes, the team takes the time to help customers build lasting systems that reduce stress in the long term.
A philosophy based on fairness and transparency
Fairness is the common thread that runs through everything Andre does. This is not just a professional standard, but a personal value.
“If you treat customers fairly, you gain their trust,” he explains. “I’d rather take the time to explain something than rush into it. People deserve to understand what’s happening with their taxes.”
He is quick to admit that some of the best lessons come from experience. “I realized early on that people don’t strive for perfection, but rather honesty,” he says. “If you make a mistake, own up to it. If something is unclear, explain it.”
It’s a philosophy that resonates in a world where many people feel disconnected from the financial process.
Keep things clear and not complicated
At Shammas Tax, simplicity is a strategy. The team avoids overcomplicating their systems or overwhelming customers with technical language. Instead, they value clarity.
“Someone once told me that they feel stupid because they don’t understand their taxes,” says Andre. “This shouldn’t be happening. It’s our job to make it clear, not their job to figure it out.”
This mindset not only helps customers, but also contributes to the success of the company. Word of mouth was one of their biggest growth drivers: happy customers recommended friends and colleagues who wanted the same hassle-free experience.
According to a recent SCORE report, 40% of small business owners say accounting and taxes are their biggest operational challenge. Companies like Shammas Tax prove that with the right advice, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Lessons in leadership
Andre believes that leadership begins with listening. Whether it’s customers, colleagues or community members, he takes the 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 thanks his parents for shaping his approach. “They taught me that success should also positively influence the people around you,” he explains. “This is how I run the company – shared success.”
Even outside of work, his leadership philosophy remains the same. He spends his free time with family, grilling, exploring San Diego, and giving back to the community that has 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 forward, Andre wants Shammas Tax to continue to expand its impact – not necessarily by getting bigger, but by staying true to its values. “We don’t have to be the biggest company,” he says. “We just have to stay reliable and human. People still value that.”
His long-term goal is simple: continue to educate, continue to simplify and continue to serve the small business owners who strengthen their communities.
“If people leave our office feeling less stressed than when they arrived,” says Andre, “that’s a success. That means we’ve done our job right.”
