Readers' Choice Winner: Eric S. Childs, CPA, Best Income Tax Preparation

The results are in and has been named the

Childs, who's been a CPA since 1981, received 54 percent of the votes and edged out , who also had a strong showing.

In voting for Childs, former classmate I went to Los Gatos High School with Eric Childs. 1972 seniors! He's not a just wonderful, nice gentleman. He's also very smart!"

Four customers had also offered reviews for Childs on the Los Gatos Patch's Places page.

From Carol King: "Eric has been doing my taxes for many years. He always keeps up with the ever changing tax codes. I recommend him to my family and friends."

Alma Torrez: "Thanks to Eric Childs tax time is stress free for me. I am self employed and have several contractors, employees and complex tax declarations. Needless to say, my taxes are not easy. Eric has been a CPA for so many years that he understands the tax codes inside and out. I am thankful for his assistance through the years and will continue to patronize him indefinitely."

Of the 130 votes received, Childs got 71 of them, or 54 percent followed by Loreen E. Huddleston, CPA who got 56 votes, or 43 percent.

The longtime Los Gatos resident has been providing income tax preparation services in Los Gatos since 1996. His office, 250 No. Santa Cruz Ave., is located next to inside the small shopping center at the corner of Bachman Avenue and North Santa Cruz Avenue.

"I'm very thankful for everyone who voted for me," said Childs upon hearing the news Friday morning.

Asked what his company's biggest asset is, Childs said it's the personal service he provides his customers. "I'm by myself so I interface with my clients directly and do all the returns myself. It's just me."

He said he garnered votes by posting the Readers' Choice poll on Facebook and wife Sharon Childs, executive director of the , also spreading the word.

Please review Eric S. Childs, CPA or any of the other CPAs listed in the poll on Los Gatos Patch's Places page.

Coming Monday: Los Gatos Patch is looking for the "best sporting goods stores" in town. The voting begins at 9 a.m.