Community Highlights: Meet John Alba of Alba Professional Services LLC/H&R Block

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Alba.

Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our family owned business began in 1964 when my father and mother ( Sigfredo “Fred” Alba and Doris Alba) bought the business as a side hustle from my father’s boss. I would help in the office as a boy handing out a soda or a beer(it was the 70’s) to clients while they waited as well as making copies or pulling files.
The business grew to a point when my parents had to resign their day jobs to dedicate themselves full time to the business.
I loved the business. A good thing because I was the only child of six that wanted to continue with the practice. In 1982 my father became seriously ill and needed an emergency surgery. I was 20 years old and was forced into running the business with my mother.
Our office offers immigration consultation and in 80’s we assisted over 3,500 individuals to immigrate. That helped our business to explode.
In 1998 I purchased the business from my parents. Our office was one of the first adopters of electronic filing. I became an expert in the process and I was recruited by the IRS to present at seminars to convince other practitioners to e-file.
I was young and eager to grow our practice. We were located in a small shopping center when the end cap unit became available. I jumped at the opportunity and moved. That moved exposed us to the busy Pioneer Boulevard traffic and we exploded our client numbers.
H&R Block pursued me for ten years to join their network. I turned them down throughout the ten years until they made me an offer I could not refuse. I joined them in 2014.
I jumped in with the idea of growing our practice exponentially. I moved the entire business into a new 3,000 square foot custom designed office with 12 offices, training room, kitchen, two bathrooms and secure file room and lobby.
We did so well that our office was nominated as Franchisee of the Year. I had the honor in 2015 to receive the award as the Rookie Franchisee of the year in Dallas Texas before a crowd of thousands. I and my son were invited to a private luncheon with Henry Bloch and his son Tom. A surreal experience.
Our office has continued to thrive and we have been named in the Top 100 franchises several times and last year named Elite 25 of all H&R Block franchise offices and once again nominated as Franchisee of the Year.
We also were awarded recognition by the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce as Business of the year.
I am blessed to have my son Grant work together with me. I also have an amazing team that includes members who have been with me for more than 20 years.
Alba Professional Services, LLC has assisted over 10,000 individuals to receive their permanent resident status and later US Citizenship. My staff is bilingual and has been told to treat each client with respect and the Alba family touch.
Our office is very active in our community by sponsoring and participating in City events. We are open year ‘round a minimum of 6 days per week and 7 days a week during tax season.
I am an Enrolled Agent Master Tax Advisor able to represent clients before the IRS for appeals and audits. We prepare individual, business, corporate, partnership and exempt organization returns.
We are a one-stop office offering a diverse business menu and immigration services. 61 years of humble excellence and grateful to our community for their support.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I mentioned in the early 80’s my father became gravely ill and I had to jump in to run the practice when I was in my early twenties.
When our office reached our 50th year I decided to expand my office by taking over additional spaces in our plaza. I met with the landlord to discuss my expansion plans and seek his support. He agreed to share some of the cost but when it came to renew our lease nothing was in the contract that he would help. I confronted him and his response was “That’s the way it is and if you have to move you have to move.”
I was furious and I informed my mother while driving to the office when i saw an empty furniture store right next door. God does things for a reason and this challenge actually became a blessing.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our office is known in the community as a one-stop shop for financial and immigration services. Alba Professional Services LLC offers Immigration Consultation, Citizenship form completion, translation services, Notary services, Fire and Casualty Insurance, LIVE SCAN services and clerical services. We have assisted hundreds of organizations receive non-profit tax-exempt status.
As a family-owned H&R Block franchise we provide a complete line of professional tax preparation services. We also offer bookkeeping and payroll services. I am a 41 year practitioner. I am an Enrolled Agent able to represent clients before the IRS in Appeals and Audits. I am designated as a Master Tax Advisor by H&R Block. I prepare individual, corporate, partnership and LLC returns. I also prepare estate and tax-exempt organization returns. I am proud to say that I have assisted hundreds of clients to negotiate their IRS debt down in some cases for pennies on the dollar.
We are an award-winning franchise having won Franchisee of the Year, Top 100 and Elite 25 office. John has presented at IRS and H&R Block and Chamber of Commerce events.
A business does not survive for 61 years if it is not treating its clientele right. We are trusted and respected in our community. Our philosophy is to treat all clients with respect and dignity. My wife bakes thousands of cookies and we give away trips, televisions and gift cards to show our appreciation to our clients. Most of all we strive to make our clients feel that we care for them as if they were family.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Our office is open year ‘round a minimum of 6 days per week. 7 days per week during the tax season. Call to make an appointment or just walk-in. We offer in-person, telephone and video tax preparation. We have clients all over the country and world.

Pricing:

• Competitive professional fees.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Albaproservices.com