A San Diego CPA You Can Actually Talk To

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

QuickBooks Pro Advisor

CA Licensed Realtor

Xero Advisor Certified

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Tim Whelan, CPA

619-330-9795

tim@darkhorse.cpa

TITLE

Principal

HOMETOWN

Boston, MA

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

12

EDUCATION

To be successful you don't need to do extraordinary things, you just need to do ordinary things extraordinarily well

— John Rohn

Tim’s decision to become an accountant was unsurprising given that he was “born into it,” with his father being a CPA. After working at both a large national firm and a mid-sized regional firm in the Boston area where he grew up, he found Dark Horse to be the perfect stable for his skill set. Around the same time, he also found San Diego a better fit for his lifestyle. He is passionate about working with small businesses and their owners, educating them and working with them to proactively improve their tax and financial situation. He felt his talent and passion could be best put to work at Dark Horse.

Tim earned his bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth, where he ran track and cross country. After hanging up his running shoes, he began running into his career, albeit in dress shoes this time. During this career, he has amassed over a decade of experience serving small businesses and their owners. His experience working with and listening to clients across many industries has made him a trusted advisor that his clients rely upon.

Off the clock, Tim can be found hiking, camping, reading, or planning his next trip. Though he is an avid Boston sports fan, he has recently embraced the San Diego Padres. He is always on the lookout for a good California Burrito (although it may be harder to find a bad one in San Diego). Mexican food wasn’t the reason he moved to San Diego, but it may well be the reason he stayed.

Specialties

Strategic Tax Planning

Business & Personal Tax Strategy

Closely Held Entities

Reporting & (KPIs)

GAAP Financial Statements

Industries

Architecture & Engineering

Professional Services

Sole Proprietors

Food & Beverage

Retail

eCommerce

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

Certified Hockey Coach

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Michael Grimasauskas, CPA

michael.grimasauskas@darkhorse.cpa

TITLE

Associate Principal

HOMETOWN

San Diego, CA

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

15

EDUCATION

"The greatest amount of time wasted is the time not getting started."

Mike's career began over 15 years ago in NYC, where he earned his CPA license and worked with media, entertainment and real estate companies. Mike eventually started working his way West and began working with smaller business and individuals, where he developed a passion for providing tax planning, accounting advice and bookkeeping solutions.

Mike's path to Dark Horse was typical of most of the Dark Horse family, circuitous and untraditional. After a few years of testing his entrepreneurial drive in real estate, Mike decided he would combine his start-up experience with his accounting skills and start his own accounting firm. It was during this process that he reconnected with Max, whom he worked with many years ago, and discovered that the Dark Horse model and values aligned perfectly.

Mike lives in Point Loma and is a dad to very active twins, Alexa and Zach (14). He likes going to the gym with his kids, fishing, and coaching ice hockey. They recently rediscovered the fishing bug and he is happy to report all the fish are safe and maintaining a good distance from their hooks.

Specialties

S-Corp

Real Estate Investments

Rental Properties

Individual Tax

Tax Planning

Industries

Real Estate

Real Estate Investors

Professional Services

Retail

Your San Diego CPAs for Tax, Accounting & CFO Advisory

San Diego’s economy, from Biotechnology to Real Estate, demands technical expertise far beyond tax season. Whether you require an elite strategy or CFO-level guidance, your dedicated San Diego CPAs, Tim Whelan and Mike Grimasauskas, are ready to assist. Serving Point Loma and Mission Valley, they provide the financial clarity required to win in the San Diego County market.

As Principals, Tim and Mike deliver more than basic compliance. They specialize in Outsourced Accounting and Fractional CFO services tailored for local entrepreneurs. From simplifying operations to Managing IRS Filings, they offer the high-touch expertise of trusted partners without the overhead of full-time executives. Achieve elite results where your success in the California landscape is the priority.

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TIM WHELAN, PRINCIPAL

The complexities of tax compliance make it critical for businesses and high net worth individuals to partner with a CPA they can trust. The upfront pricing, emphasis on client service and 1-to-1 collaboration between client and CPA that Dark Horse offers, made it a tremendously appealing model to me. I’m provided with the resources that I need to focus my efforts on providing my clients with the level of service they deserve."

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Accounting Solutions for Businesses.

The Problem: Business owners in Mission Valley and San Diego County often lack the strategic tax guidance required for the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Without experts like Tim Whelan or Mike Grimasauskas, costly compliance errors are inevitable. You deserve a better accounting firm.

The Solution: At Dark Horse CPAs, Tim and Mike combine outsourced accounting and Fractional CFO-level advisory for total financial clarity. This Advisory-First partnership ensures long-term success in the Balfour and greater California markets. Explore our Solutions for Businesses tailored for you.

Solutions for Businesses

TIM WHELAN, PRINCIPAL

“The outsourced accounting services that we provide at Dark Horse are accurate and timely, allowing business owners to focus more of their valuable time on other critical tasks. By thoughtfully building accounting engagements, we can provide the level of service that clients need, at a fixed fee that they can budget for each month.”

Tax Services for People.

The Problem: Residents in Point Loma and across San Diego County often feel the sting of their tax situation only after filing their personal tax return. Between high state rates and complex California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) mandates, navigating your liability can be overwhelming. Without experts like Tim Whelan or Mike Grimasauskas, you risk unwanted surprises and missed savings.

The Solution: At Dark Horse CPAs, Tim and Mike believe in No Surprises. We work year-round with San Diego families to reduce liability and ensure compliance. From California state filings to investment and retirement planning, every engagement includes a personalized tax strategy so you can move forward in Mission Valley with total confidence.

Tax & Wealth Advisory for Individuals

TIM WHELAN, PRINCIPAL

"What sets Dark Horse apart is giving people options. We encourage proactive and strategic tax monitoring throughout the year. This approach helps clients decrease taxes and avoid last-minute surprise payments."

Nancy R.

I have used James Larsen as my CPA for many years and am confident in his work ethic and tax knowledge.

Kyle T.

With our prior accountant we didn't feel we were receiving adequate tax guidance and felt we were always paying more than our fair share of taxes. We have been very pleased with the service we have received with Adam Ripperdan. He has taken the time to review in detail our current situation and upcoming plans. With that information he has helped us create tax strategies for our businesses, investments, and personal taxes that not only help us save on taxes but also helps us plan for the future. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs.

Joe Coombs

At Unbridled Advisory, we value partnerships that demonstrate technical expertise, proactive problem-solving, and a client-first mindset. Working with Teddy Mizerak, CPA of Dark Horse CPAs has exemplified all of these traits and more.

Teddy's deep knowledge of financial structures and tax strategies has been instrumental in driving success for our mutual clients. His ability to navigate complex scenarios with precision while offering clear and actionable insights sets him apart in the field. What truly stands out is his collaborative approach—he takes the time to understand the unique needs of each business, ensuring solutions are both effective and tailored.

Teddy's professionalism and responsiveness have made him an invaluable resource. Whether it's tackling intricate tax planning, addressing compliance challenges, or identifying opportunities for optimization, Teddy consistently delivers exceptional results.We highly recommend Teddy Mizerak to any organization seeking a CPA who goes beyond the numbers, bringing both strategic vision and exceptional execution to the table. It’s been a privilege to work alongside him, and we look forward to continued collaboration.

Patrick W.

I was referred to Max by a friend who is also a small business owner. I was definitely in need of direction when it came to my finances. After speaking with Max I was able to understand how I can be efficient in the accounting side of my business and he and his team is there to guide me every step of the way. I'm now confident I have the right team watching my books I highly recommend Max and Dark Horse CPAs.

Dave Risha

Craig Trimble at Dark Horse CPAs has been remarkable. His knowledge of the tax laws, his ability to ask questions that I never considered has saved my family and I thousands of dollars over the past three years. I used to use Turbo Tax and the first year I switched, I save over $20,000 over what my Turbo Tax amount worked out to be. That is a remarkable return for the small fee I was charged. I highly recommend Dark Horse CPAs. If you are using a software program to do your business and personal taxes, this year, try both and see for yourself.

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