Traffic Lights, Signs and Controls: Stop Sign

My question involves a (potential) traffic ticket from the state of: California

Here's two scenarios I encounter frequently:

1. Approaching a stop sign from behind another vehicle travelling in my direction, and they stop way over the white limit line, while I simultaneously stop behind them, right at the limit line. Assuming no other traffic at the intersection, once they move on, do I have to creep forward a touch and stop again? Or have I already completed my stop?

2. Leaving work there is a stop sign in an awkward place, forcing one to merge uphill into traffic at 45mph with poor visibility (company sign block much of the view). I have unsuccessfully lobbied my company move the sign back or convert it to a yield sign, but in the meantime I have begun stopping farther back, maybe 15 or 20 feet behind the limit line. This way I have good visibility and am still pointing downhill which makes it much easier to get to speed with traffic when there is an opening. Is there a threshold where I have stopped too far behind the limit line and have not properly obeyed the stop sign?

Thanks

Traffic Lights, Signs and Controls: Stop Sign