Optima Tax Relief is proud to announce that it has been honored with three prestigious Stevie® Awards, showcasing its commitment to delivering exceptional customer service in the financial services sector. The awards include the Silver Award for Customer Service Department of the Year, the Bronze Award for Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year, and the Silver Award for Best Use of Technology in Customer Service. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Optima Tax Relief has been recognized by the Stevie Awards for its outstanding achievements.
The Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service are considered the world’s premier business awards, acknowledging the accomplishments of contact center, customer service, business development, and sales professionals worldwide. More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 44 nations and territories, were considered in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide on seven specialized judging committees.
David King, Chief Executive Officer of Optima Tax Relief, expressed his pride in the team’s continued excellence, stating, “We are thrilled to add three additional Stevie awards to our trophy case, especially amongst the many iconic brands that participated in the Stevies this year. While earning these awards for five consecutive years is incredible, I stopped being surprised by our team’s achievements a long time ago. All credit goes to our fantastic front-line staff and leaders who are committed to setting the standard for what tax relief should be.”
Chrissy Bui, Chief Customer Officer of Optima Tax Relief, also commented on the achievement. “Winning these awards, especially in categories that celebrate both our amazing front-line team and our innovative use of technology, truly highlights our dedication to making every customer interaction exceptional. Our team works hard to blend personalized service with the latest technology to not just meet but exceed our clients’ expectations. This recognition inspires us to keep redefining what exceptional customer service means in the financial services industry. ”
Optima Tax Relief’s Silver Award for Customer Service Department of the Year highlights the overall excellence of Optima’s customer service operations. The Bronze Award for Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year recognizes the company’s exceptional ability to deliver outstanding support directly to customers. The Silver Award for Best Use of Technology in Customer Service acknowledges the innovative solutions that have been implemented to streamline processes and enhance the customer experience. These accolades reflect Optima Tax Relief’s relentless pursuit of service excellence and its mission to help individuals and businesses navigate complex tax issues with confidence and ease.
Details about the Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.
Optima Tax Relief, the nation’s leading tax resolution firm, is proud to announce its support for the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program through volunteerism. This grant program aims to empower individuals and families by providing free tax preparation services to those with moderate incomes, as well as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency.
The VITA Program, a vital initiative supported by the IRS, relies on volunteers to provide free tax help to those who need it most. Optima Tax Relief’s partnership with local community organizations strengthens this mission by leveraging expertise and resources to serve communities nationwide.
Derek Stroup, Senior Director of Tax Preparation at Optima Tax Relief, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Many individuals facing financial challenges may not have the resources to seek professional tax help. Through our participation in the VITA Program, we can bridge this gap and ensure that everyone has access to essential tax services.”
In the 2024 tax season, 29 volunteers from Optima Tax Relief dedicated 145 hours of their time to assist individuals and families through the VITA Program. These dedicated professionals provided crucial tax preparation services at no cost, ensuring that taxpayers, particularly those in communities historically underserved by the for-profit sector, could access their entitled tax benefits and refunds.
David King, CEO of Optima Tax Relief, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and the firm’s ongoing participation in the VITA program. He states, “The dedication of our volunteers is truly inspiring, and their continued support exemplifies our shared values of service and community empowerment. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families across the nation, and I am excited to see the positive impact we will continue to achieve together.”
The 2024 tax filing season marks the fourth year in which Optima has volunteered within the VITA program. Philip Hwang, Lead Tax Attorney at Optima Tax Relief, spoke from a personal perspective expressing, “For me, this represents more than just a professional relationship. It represents Optima’s commitment to consistently giving back to the community by doing what we do best — providing relief and a way forward in the world of tax. Working alongside other organizations for the VITA program, we’re not just providing tax assistance. We’re building relationships, offering support and education, and making a real difference in people’s lives. It’s deeply rewarding to be part of VITA, where every volunteer hour and every taxpayer served leaves a lasting impact.”
By leveraging expertise, resources, and a passion for service, Optima Tax Relief strives to empower communities, promote financial stability, and foster lasting positive change. Together with community partners, Optima Tax Relief looks forward to continuing its mission of service and impact for years to come.
Optima Tax Relief was recognized as the sole Category 4 recipient of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) International Torch Awards for Ethics. The award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical decision-making. Optima CEO, David King, has since spoken to the BBB about the award and the company’s commitment to ethical business practices.
He emphasizes the importance of the BBB’s Four Cs in Optima’s business practices.
Character
King emphasized the importance of placing integrity at the forefront of every business decision. He highlighted that maintaining honesty and transparency, even in tough situations, built trust with customers, employees, and stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the company’s success.
Culture
According to King, ethical business practices involve empowering employees and fostering a positive work environment. By prioritizing employee well-being and providing opportunities for growth, Optima has created a culture of trust and collaboration.
Customer Relationships
King stressed the significance of maintaining strong and ethical relationships with customers. This involves delivering quality service, being transparent, and actively improving the customer experience.
Community
King believes that businesses have a responsibility to engage with and contribute to their communities. Ethical practices extend beyond the office walls, and Optima Tax Relief actively participates in initiatives that benefit the local community.
The tax firm was recognized for its embodiment of trust and ethics in the marketplace.
Optima Tax Relief proudly announces its distinguished recognition as the sole Category 4 recipient of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) International Torch Awards for Ethics, underscoring the company’s unwavering commitment to ethical business practices. This accolade is a testament to the company’s dedication to excellence, integrity, and transparency in the tax resolution industry.
The BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics is a prestigious honor bestowed upon businesses that exemplify the highest standards of ethics and integrity. The award is divided into four categories with a single recipient for each: Category 1 (1-10 employees), Category 2 (11-99 employees), Category 3 (100-499 employees), and Category 4 (500+ employees). Optima was awarded the International Torch Award amongst 1,000 BBB regional winners from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. that were automatically entered into the competition.
Conferred each year since 1996, the International Torch Awards for Ethics recognize companies whose leadership centers on four C’s: evaluating the Character of the organization’s leadership, fostering an authentic Culture, maintaining a transparent relationship with Customers, and assessing the impact the organization is making in the local Community. Optima Tax Relief’s commitment to maintaining these principles has set the company apart and positioned it as a leader in the industry.
This international honor comes after Optima Tax Relief’s BBB Torch Award for Ethics in 2021 and 2017. David King, CEO of Optima Tax Relief, expressed his gratitude for the award, stating, “Receiving the BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics is a significant achievement and a reflection of the values that guide Optima. Our hope has always been to set the example of what a tax “relief” company should be, and this award assures us we are on the right track.”
Christine Bui, Chief Customer Officer of Optima Tax Relief, echoed King’s sentiments, stating, “Ethics and compliance are at the core of our company culture. We believe in doing what is right for our clients and maintaining the trust they place in us. Receiving the BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics is a tremendous honor and reinforces our commitment to ethical business practices.”
The virtual award ceremony took place on November 16, 2023, at the BBB’s inaugural Trust Summit, where Optima Tax Relief was celebrated for their commitment to ethical excellence.
The company’s exemplary customer service team was recognized for the fourth straight year.
Optima Tax Relief, the leading nationwide tax resolution firm, is proud to announce that it has won four Stevie® Awards for excellence in customer service and technology. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are one of the world’s top honors for sales, customer service, and call center professionals. This year’s awards include:
Frontline Customer Service Team of the Year (Gold)
Customer Service Department of the Year – 100+ employees (first-time finalist) (Gold)
Innovation in Customer Service – Financial Services (Silver)
Best Use of Technology – Customer Service (Silver)
Optima Tax Relief’s Customer Service Team was recognized for its outstanding performance in handling customer inquiries, providing timely and accurate information, and resolving customer issues with the utmost professionalism and care. It is Optima’s fourth year in a row receiving the gold Frontline Customer Service Team of the Year award for the financial services industry, and their first time winning the gold award for Customer Service Department of the Year (100+ employees). The team’s commitment to excellence has helped to establish Optima Tax Relief as a trusted name in tax resolution among clients.
David King, CEO of Optima Tax Relief, expressed his gratitude for the honors stating, “We are thrilled to continue our remarkable streak of success in the area that matters most to us, service. We recognize that most customers would prefer not to need Optima’s services, so we take great pride ensuring they are taken care of when they do. It will be difficult to continue this unprecedented run amongst some of the best brands in the world, but we will have fun taking a run at it.”
Chief Customer Officer, Christine Bui added, “These awards are a testament to not only the innovative ways our team delivers exceptional customer service but also the high level of care our team provides for each of our clients. Regardless of what may be going on in their personal lives, our staff consistently shows up for our clients and helps them navigate through a very challenging time in their lives. I am proud of our team and their dedication to providing our clients with the best possible experience.”
Optima’s use of technology also helped them lead their industry in innovation. The Innovation in Customer Service – Financial Services silver award was given to Optima Tax Relief for its innovative approach to customer service, which includes the use of cutting-edge technology to provide clients with fast and efficient service. The company has developed a range of tools and platforms that enable its customer service representatives to deliver exceptional service to clients, including intelligent call routing, an enhanced client portal, and improved systems.
More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this year’s competition. Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 170 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in more than 60 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; 60 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers, among others. Winners were announced at the awards gala held on Friday, March 3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at https://stevieawards.com/Sales.
Landing at No. 4 on this year’s list, the company was one of only two companies to rank in the “Top 5” over the last five years.
Optima Tax Relief, the nation’s leading tax resolution firm, has been honored as a 2022 Top Workplace winner by the Orange County Register for the eighth consecutive year. This year the company ranked fourth out of the 17 large company honorees, making them one of only two companies to land in the “Top 5” in a five-year span. Orange County Top Workplaces recognizes U.S. employers that have fostered a people-first company culture.
“At Optima, our success is deeply rooted in our company culture,” said Optima CEO David King. “We recognize that employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction not only go hand in hand, but also build each other up. Because of that, we are constantly working to cultivate a culture that is inclusive, nurturing and diverse.”
The list of honorees is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
The Top Workplaces in Orange County award comes just months after Optima Tax Relief was named a Top Workplace USA winner for the second year in a row. The company was also recognized with Culture Excellence Awards in five categories: Leadership, Purpose & Value, Work-Life Flexibility, Innovation, and Compensation & Benefits. Optima was also honored with the “Excellence in Management” award for the last two years.
Optima’s Associate Vice President of Human Resources Kimberly Carson credits the company’s success to their close-knit staff. “Our best quality is our people,” Carson said. “The level of engagement (even in a remote or hybrid environment), teamwork, inclusivity, and drive for excellence every day is exactly why we are such a fun place to work while still delivering the highest quality service to our clients.”
An in-person awards program to celebrate the 2022 Orange County Top Workplaces winners took place on Wednesday, December 7th at the Irvine Improv. A complete list of this year’s winners can be found on the Top Workplaces website.
The company’s exemplary customer service team was recognized for the fourth straight year. 