Estate & Trust Accounting You Can Rely On – Even When Everything Feels Overwhelming
Whether you’re a trustee, executor, or trying to make sense of someone’s estate, we provide court-ready accountings and step-by-step support—no matter how complex the situation.
If you’ve been named as a trustee or executor, you’re now responsible for something that may feel completely foreign: handling someone else’s finances after they’ve passed. That often includes accounting for every dollar in and out of the estate or trust—sometimes under the watchful eye of beneficiaries or the court.
At Donna Stern CPA, we specialize in helping people just like you. Most of our clients aren’t accountants, and many have never been through this before. They’re navigating loss, legal obligations, family dynamics—and often don’t know what they’re supposed to do next.
That’s where we step in.
We provide professional, accurate, and defensible accountings for:
- Trustees – who are legally obligated to report how trust funds have been managed, especially when beneficiaries ask for formal records.
- Executors – who need to show how estate assets were distributed, debts paid, and expenses handled.
- Probate and Court Accountings – often required in contentious situations where transparency and clarity are essential to avoid legal disputes.
- Historical or Reconstructed Accountings – for older estates or trusts where financial records are incomplete or missing.
Our clients often come to us feeling stressed, confused, or afraid of making a mistake.
We’ve seen it all—estates with perfect records, and others with boxes of unsorted papers. No matter the state of things, we work with care, discretion, and precision to get everything in order.
And we speak fluent “legal”
We regularly collaborate with estate attorneys and probate courts to ensure your accounting meets all requirements. You won’t need to translate between your lawyer and your accountant—we’re already on the same page.
You Don’t Have to Be an Expert—That’s Our Job.
We’ll help you understand what’s required, what documents are needed, what deadlines to watch for, and how to protect yourself while doing your duty.
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Let us listen to your situation and walk you through next steps. No pressure. No jargon. Just calm, experienced guidance when you need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t know which forms need to be filed. Can you help me figure it out?
Yes. That’s exactly what we do. You don’t need to know whether you need a 1041, 706, or 709—we’ll assess your situation and guide you step by step.
It’s been years since the person passed away. Can I still file?
Yes. We’ve handled estates going back more than a decade. While there may be penalties or paperwork hurdles, we’ll help you navigate them.
I’m the trustee and the beneficiaries are asking for a formal accounting. What do I do?
You’re legally obligated to provide a clear financial accounting. We can prepare a complete, court-ready report that protects you and satisfies all requirements.
What if I don’t have all the records?
We specialize in reconstructing financial data from bank statements, tax returns, and other documents. You don’t need perfect records—we’ll help piece it together.
Can you work with my lawyer?
Absolutely. We frequently coordinate directly with attorneys to ensure everything aligns with legal strategy and court expectations.
How much does this cost?
Every case is different, but we offer transparent pricing and will always provide an estimate up front. No surprises—just honest guidance.