Terms of Service

Last Updated: October 4, 2025

Welcome to Catalyst CPA Corporation. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of our website and professional accounting services. By engaging our services or using our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing our website at catalyst-cpa.com or engaging our professional services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our website or services.

2. Professional Services Offered

Catalyst CPA Corporation provides professional accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, financial advisory, and related services (“Services”). All Services are provided in compliance with:

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations
California state laws and regulations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) professional standards
All other applicable federal, state, and local laws

3. No Accountant-Client Relationship

IMPORTANT: Accessing our website, reviewing our content, or contacting us through email, online forms, or social media does NOT create an accountant-client relationship. An accountant-client relationship is established only when:

We have mutually agreed in writing to provide you with specific services
You have executed a formal engagement letter or service agreement
We have confirmed our acceptance of the engagement in writing

Until a formal engagement is established, you should not provide us with any confidential or sensitive information. We are not responsible for any information you submit before establishing an accountant-client relationship.

4. Client Responsibilities

To ensure successful delivery of our Services, clients agree to:

Provide Accurate Information: Submit complete, accurate, and timely information, documentation, and records necessary for the engagement
Timely Response: Respond promptly to requests for additional information, clarification, or approvals
Document Retention: Maintain copies of all original documents provided to us
Compliance: Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, filing deadlines, and payment obligations
Designated Contact: Designate a qualified individual with appropriate authority to serve as the primary contact for the engagement
Management Decisions: Accept responsibility for all management decisions and functions

Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in delays, additional fees, inability to meet deadlines, or termination of the engagement.

5. Fees and Payment Terms

5.1 Fee Structure

Our fees are based on the scope, complexity, and time required for the Services provided. Specific fees will be outlined in your engagement letter or service agreement.

5.2 Payment Terms

Payment is due within 30 days of invoice date unless otherwise agreed in writing
Late payments may incur interest at 1.5% per month (18% annually) or the maximum rate permitted by California law, whichever is less
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate services if payment is not received in a timely manner
Outstanding balances may be subject to collection proceedings, and you agree to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney fees

5.3 Additional Charges

Out-of-pocket expenses incurred on your behalf (such as filing fees, postage, courier costs, travel expenses, and third-party service fees) will be billed separately and are due upon receipt.

6. Confidentiality and Privacy

As a CPA firm, we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of client information in accordance with AICPA professional standards and applicable laws. We will not disclose your information without your written consent, except:

When required by law, court order, subpoena, or regulatory authority
To comply with professional standards or peer review requirements
As necessary to provide services (e.g., sharing data with authorized third-party service providers under confidentiality agreements)
To defend ourselves against legal claims or allegations

For complete details on how we collect, use, and protect your information, please review our Privacy Policy.

7. Third-Party Service Providers

We may use third-party service providers, subcontractors, or cloud-based software to enhance our services. This may include disclosure of your information to such providers. All third-party service providers are:

Required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and data security measures
Contractually bound to protect client information
Subject to our oversight and quality control procedures

By engaging our services, you consent to the use of such third-party providers as necessary to deliver professional services.

8. Records Management and Retention

8.1 Client Records

All original documents and records you provide will be returned to you at the conclusion of the engagement. You are responsible for maintaining your own complete set of records, as our copies are not a substitute for your primary records.

8.2 Work Papers and Firm Documents

All work papers, analyses, and documents created by Catalyst CPA Corporation are our property and will be retained in accordance with our document retention policy and applicable professional standards. Our standard retention period is seven (7) years from the completion of services.

8.3 Requests for Access

If we receive requests from regulators, courts, or other third parties for access to work papers or client information:

We will notify you promptly unless prohibited by law
You will have the opportunity to seek legal protection against such disclosure
If you take no action or your action does not result in a protective order, we may comply with the request
You agree to reimburse us for professional time and legal expenses incurred in responding to such requests if we are not a party to the proceeding

9. Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

All content on our website and in our deliverables, including but not limited to:

Text, graphics, logos, and visual content
Software, templates, and forms
Reports, analyses, and methodologies
Training materials and educational content

are the proprietary property of Catalyst CPA Corporation and are protected by copyright and trademark laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use deliverables solely for your internal business or personal purposes. You may not:

Reproduce, distribute, or publicly display our materials without written permission
Create derivative works based on our content
Remove copyright or proprietary notices
Share materials with third parties without our consent

10. Disclaimer of Warranties and Information

Important Disclaimer

THE WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND.

While we strive for accuracy, we make no representations or warranties regarding:

The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of website content
The suitability of general information for your specific situation
The availability or uninterrupted access to the website
The absence of errors, viruses, or harmful components

No Attorney-Client or Investment Advisory Relationship: Unless specifically engaged to provide investment advisory services, our services do not constitute legal advice or investment advice. We recommend consulting qualified attorneys and investment advisors for such services.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW:

Catalyst CPA Corporation’s total liability for any claims arising from services rendered shall be limited to the lesser of:

Three (3) times the total fees paid for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim, OR
$50,000

EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES: Under no circumstances shall Catalyst CPA Corporation be liable for indirect, special, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages, including but not limited to:

Lost profits or revenue
Loss of business opportunities
Loss of data or business interruption
Penalties or interest assessed by tax authorities (except to the extent caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct)

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Catalyst CPA Corporation, its partners, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from:

Your breach of these Terms
Knowing misrepresentations or intentional withholding/concealment of information by you or your management
Your violation of any laws or regulations
Third-party claims arising from your use of our deliverables or services
Your failure to comply with tax filing or payment obligations

This indemnification survives the termination of services.

13. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

13.2 Mandatory Mediation

If a dispute arises from or relates to these Terms or the services provided, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) before resorting to litigation or arbitration. The mediation shall be conducted in Riverside County, California.

13.3 Arbitration

If mediation fails to resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days, the parties agree to binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA. The arbitration shall be conducted in Riverside County, California.

13.4 Jurisdiction and Venue

If litigation is necessary and not subject to arbitration, the exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall be the state or federal courts located in Riverside County, California.

14. Termination of Services

14.1 Termination Rights

Either party may terminate the engagement at any time by providing written notice. Catalyst CPA Corporation specifically reserves the right to withdraw from an engagement for any reason, including but not limited to:

Non-payment of fees or invoices
Failure to provide requested information or documentation
Conflicts of interest that arise during the engagement
Loss of client integrity or questionable conduct
Professional standards requirements

14.2 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

You remain obligated to pay for all services rendered and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination
We will return your original documents
We are not responsible for your failure to meet deadlines or any resulting penalties
Outstanding invoices become immediately due and payable

15. Website Terms and Acceptable Use

15.1 Acceptable Use

When using our website, you agree NOT to:

Use the website for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
Transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract website content
Misrepresent your identity or affiliation with Catalyst CPA Corporation
Interfere with other users’ access to the website

15.2 Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience. We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites. Use of third-party sites is at your own risk.

15.3 Electronic Communications

By using our website or communicating with us electronically, you consent to receive electronic communications. Electronic signatures and documents shall have the same legal effect as manual signatures and paper documents.

16. Statute of Limitations

You agree that any claim arising from our services or these Terms must be commenced within one (1) year from the date of delivery of the work product or completion of services, regardless of any longer period that may be provided by applicable law. This limitation applies to all claims, whether based on contract, tort, statute, or any other legal theory.

17. Severability and Entire Agreement

17.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any engagement letter and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Catalyst CPA Corporation and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, or communications, whether written or oral.

17.3 Modifications

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with the updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of our services or website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

18. Force Majeure

Catalyst CPA Corporation shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform obligations under these Terms due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, government actions, or failures of third-party service providers.

19. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or by operation of law.

20. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service or need clarification, please contact us:

Catalyst CPA Corporation
Location: Moreno Valley, California
Website: catalyst-cpa.com
Privacy Policy: View Privacy Policy
Book Consultation: Schedule Appointment

By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.