In an era where financial freedom often feels out of reach, Larry Pendleton has dedicated his career to turning that narrative around—one investor at a time. Known as “The Investor’s CPA,” Pendleton is not only a seasoned tax strategist but also a passionate advocate for helping real estate investors build passive income and reclaim control over their financial futures.
With nearly two decades of experience and a firm belief in purposeful living, Pendleton’s journey into specialized tax strategy wasn’t born from theory—it was driven by a mission.
“I enjoy seeing people living their life’s purpose,” he shares. “Many people do not have the opportunity to do so because they’re stuck in the rat race, working to pay bills and losing 30% or more of their hard-earned money to taxes. I see real estate investing as an opportunity to build passive income. That gives people more options—whether that’s investing in their family or pursuing a passion.”
This philosophy is the cornerstone of PC Financial Services, the firm he leads as Senior Partner. The company takes a holistic approach to wealth strategy, with tax planning and real estate investing as the foundation. One of the key tools in their arsenal is cost segregation—a strategy that allows investors to accelerate depreciation deductions and significantly reduce taxable income.
But Pendleton is quick to point out that cost segregation isn’t for everyone. “We don’t push a one-size-fits-all strategy. We take the time to learn about our clients—their goals, assets, income structure—so we can advise accordingly. If someone can’t use the losses that come with cost segregation, recommending that strategy would be irresponsible,” he says.
This thoughtful, personalized approach extends to PC Financial’s work with accredited investor validation as well. By understanding a client’s full financial picture, the firm can align investment strategies that maximize tax efficiency without exposing clients to unnecessary risk or complexity.
What truly sets Pendleton apart, however, is his dual identity—not just as a CPA but as a real estate investor himself. His hands-on experience includes everything from fix-and-flips and short-term rentals to private lending and syndications. And it’s this real-world knowledge that makes him such a powerful educator and advisor.
“Storytelling is a big part of how I work with clients,” he says. “When I share my own experiences, I can help shift mindsets and make these strategies relatable. It lets people know I’ve been where they are. I speak the investing language.”
That language, unfortunately, is foreign to many new or even seasoned real estate investors who stumble into costly tax mistakes. Pendleton identifies three of the most common pitfalls—and how proactive planning can prevent them.
First, many investors delay speaking to a tax advisor until tax season, at which point the window for meaningful savings has often closed. “We treat tax planning as a year-round service,” Pendleton explains. To encourage ongoing communication, PC Financial offers a retainer package that includes unlimited consultations—allowing clients to ask questions without worrying about being billed for every interaction.
Second, he sees widespread misconceptions about the right entity structures for real estate. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he notes. “We clarify those myths early on, and we work closely with each client’s attorney to ensure the structure works not just for tax efficiency but also for legal protection.”
Third, Pendleton emphasizes the untapped tax potential within families. From employing children in the business to designating a non-working spouse as a real estate professional, family members can be vital assets—not just emotionally but financially. “We look at the whole family dynamic to help our clients create what’s truly a family business. That’s where the real tax savings start to show up.”
Underlying all of Pendleton’s strategies is what he calls a “team sport” mentality. Inspired by the African proverb—“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”—he emphasizes collaboration not just within his firm but across his clients’ entire financial ecosystem.
“Our focus is investment and tax coaching,” he says, “but we know that attorneys, lenders, financial advisors—all of them play a role in the client’s success. When everyone knows their position and plays it well, we win. And the client wins.”
That mindset has led Pendleton to serve on civic and nonprofit boards in his community, including the Norfolk Planning Commission and youth-focused financial literacy programs. It’s also brought him into the spotlight as a guest on podcasts like The Path to Wellth and NYTFire, where he educates listeners on advanced tax strategies and private lending insights.
Through it all, Larry Pendleton remains grounded in a simple yet powerful belief: building wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about options, freedom, and purpose.
For real estate investors looking to break free from the grind and build something lasting, “The Investor’s CPA” might just be the teammate they need.
To learn more about Larry Pendleton and PC Financial Services, visit theinvestorscpa.com.
By Michael Beas
