For over 30 years, Maria has served clients in a variety of areas including financial statement audits, reviews and compilations as well as business and individual taxation. Maria excels working with clients in the real estate, and healthcare industries, along with employee benefit plans.

Maria manages our not-for-profit and ERISA Pension Plan Audit Department. She has experience auditing labor unions, associations and 401(k) plans. Maria leads her department in staying up to date on the ever-changing trends, laws and Department of Labor regulations.

As an expert in the real estate industry Maria brings tax strategies such as Cost Segregation, 1031 exchanges, debt restructuring, capital financing and cash flow projections to the table. Maria manages LSL’s Cost Segregation department and is responsible for the implementation and completion of all Cost Segregation studies. Maria is involved with Commercial Real Estate Women of Orange County (CREW-OC), one of the leading commercial real estate organizations for executive women in Orange County.

Maria’s passion is to help run manufacturing and distribution businesses with specialization in international business entering the US market. Her focus is on overseas production including business expansions. Maria understands the complexities of manufacturing accounting and business advice in such a unique industry.

Great Clients for Maria…value a partner in their business to help guide them to greater success.
LSL candidate tip… Ask her about her kids and traveling and her big fat Cuban Family.
Personal… Her son, Kyle, was married in August 2018.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Member, California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member, Commercial Real Estate Women of Orange County (CREW-OC)
Member, Western Pension & Benefits Association
Licensed as a Registered Representative and Life Agent

Education:

B.A. degree in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis, California State University, Fullerton

Messes don't worry Michael. His natural organizing skills take over until everything makes sense again.

His clients include entrepreneurs and busy professionals who value an advisor to keep their taxes and financials in order. He might meet with a manufacturer one day and a real estate investor the next, but their goals center on minimizing tax impact and building a healthy balance sheet. For Michael's professional clients, this is especially important due to potentially complex compensation, risk management and succession issues.

Practicing since 1998, Michael decided to focus his practice on high net worth tax clients and closely held companies at LSL CPAs because of the complexity and multiple advisory needs. He not only provides tax planning and reporting, but he also consults on business strategic planning and has represented clients before tax authorities. He enjoys being available to clients for any business or personal financial questions.

Great Clients for Michael... want to be proactive in minimizing tax impact as they build wealth.
LSL candidate tip... Talk about baseball; Michael, his wife and their best friends are working on seeing a game in every Major League baseball stadium.
Personal... member of a weekly roller hockey league and happily married with children who enjoy taking the family camper on a road trip.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce
Member, ProGrowth
Volunteer Auditor, local elementary PTA

Education:

Masters of Science in Taxation, California State University, Fullerton
B.A. degree in Business Administration with Accounting emphasis, California State University, Fullerton

Pam brings with her over 30 years of taxation and consulting experience. Pam’s areas of expertise include tax compliance for complex high net worth individuals and pass-through entities including partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations and C corporations. She has extensive experience in providing tax planning for multi-state high net worth individuals and their closely held businesses. She also has significant experience in handling federal and state tax audits. Pam has worked with companies in a variety of industries including real estate, professional services and wholesale manufacturing.

Great Clients for Pam…entrepreneurial clients who do a little bit of everything. She likes the challenge of clients that need a variety of advice and services.
LSL candidate tip… Ask Pam about what she likes most about serving her clients or her latest favorite music. She really enjoys being more than just an advisor to her clients. She likes a wide variety of music types and often has something unexpected playing in her office.
Personal… Pam is married with adult children. In her free time, she likes to read, spend time with family & friends, and keep up on current news.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Member, California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)

Education:

M.S. degree in Taxation, Golden Gate University
B.A. degree in Business Administration with Accounting emphasis, California State University, Fullerton

Jocelyn is an up-and-coming leader who believes in coaching and inspiring others to greatness. She chose the accounting profession because it allows her to take a holistic approach to helping clients and their organizations while, in turn, making them feel that they are part of a bigger team accomplishing more together. She loves the sense of community in the accounting industry and being able to work with other professionals to provide our clients with the best service.

As a partner in our Assurance & Advisory department, Jocelyn assists privately held businesses with audit, internal controls, and implementing new systems, including workflow, user access, and gaps in internal controls. Because accounting regulations change rapidly, and the software that supports those guidelines rolls out at breakneck speed, Jocelyn’s dual degrees in accounting and information systems & decision science serve any company with challenges keeping current with both.

Jocelyn is also a “professor” at LSL, serving on her department’s committee to research, train, and implement new accounting standards. Most prevalent today has been the implementation of ASC (Accounting Standards Codification) Topic 842 for Leases, which was issued by FASB to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. She exudes passion and high energy in both her personal and professional life, thriving on meaningful interactions and fostering relationships with individuals across all levels, including both her employees and clients.

Great Clients for Jocelyn … clients with problems to solve: she recently helped a client having trouble with their fixed asset management software while implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

LSL candidate tip … Businesses who value help with accounting and systems.

Personal … Outside of work, Jocelyn enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, spending time outdoors, and sharpening her mind with jigsaw puzzles.

She is a fan of live shows, especially comedy shows and musicals. Her favorite comedians are Bill Burr and Tom Segura. Meanwhile, “Yellowstone,” “Jack Ryan,” top her list of great series’ to watch when she’s not hiking and exploring the beautiful outdoors.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

AICPA, CalCPA, Firm Member of PrimeGlobal

Education:

BS in Business Administration in Accounting and a BS in Information Systems and Decision Science, both from California State University, Fullerton

For Jeff, being a CPA is more than crunching numbers; it’s about being a trusted advisor and helping clients solve problems. "Every day brings new challenges, and the thrill of making a difference for my clients keeps the work interesting and fulfilling."

As a partner in LSL's Tax department, Jeff works with clients in manufacturing, real estate, construction, and professional services. His passion lies in unraveling complex financial challenges and providing tailor-made solutions that shape their success. Whether it’s helping new businesses launch, assisting existing businesses entering new markets, helping clients pass on their business to the next generation, or guiding them through the sales process, he finds fulfillment in knowing that he plays a crucial role in their future.

Jeff's passion for accounting ignited in college, where he found himself excelling in accounting and business courses. Now, as a mentor, he guides and empowers his team to thrive by embracing their accounting journeys and discovering their unique niches.

Great clients for Jeff … Jeff's daily drive centers around the success of his clients. He enjoys handling complex challenges and unique situations, helping turn their goals into reality.

LSL candidate tip … Jeff empowers his team to embrace a growth mindset, always encouraging curiosity and continuous learning.

Personal … When he's not at work, Jeff can be found cheering on his kids at their sporting events or enjoying a UCLA football game. In his free time, he enjoys camping and going to the beach with his family. You can also find him savoring a delicious Italian dish!

Professional and Civic Involvement

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA),
Member, California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Board Member at Southland Economic Development Corporation

Education

B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting – University of California, Riverside
MBA in Management Information Systems – University of California, Riverside

Wesley loves fixing things. Whether it is troubleshooting and repairing cars, computers, or accounting problems, Wesley can work through almost any complicated issue. Attention to detail, focus, and dedication to the task come naturally to him. Being called a “numbers person” from an early age, and having an interest in both politics and business, Wesley seemed almost destined to be a CPA.

Wesley is a lifelong Southern California resident, and immediately after graduating from UC Irvine started working in the tax industry. Over the 9 years since obtaining his BA, he has helped his clients complete their Individual, business, and nonprofit organization tax returns, while at the same time earning his CPA designation. He has provided tax, business, and regulatory accounting guidance principally to real estate investors, construction firms, and manufacturing companies.

Regarding his specializing in the tax manager area, Wesley says, “CPAs are expected to keep up with the constantly changing tax regulations, and this is something that makes my job rewarding and exciting. The best feeling is seeing a client benefit from the advice that I offer them.”

Great Clients for Wesley… Anyone needing dependable, up-to-the-minute recommendations on their tax situation would be an excellent client for Wesley. (Wait. That’s everyone, and that’s okay!)
LSL candidate tip... “Tax management is not solely about taxes,” Wesley says. “Good tax advice can help business owners and managers make the best business and financial decisions.”
Personal... Wesley likes to go hiking on Orange County’s many beautiful hiking trails. As a California native, he’s a loyal Lakers and Dodgers fan. Oh, and that troubleshooting thing we mentioned? “Fixing things is a personal hobby. Bring your broken vacuum cleaner to your tax appointment, and I might just fix it while I do your tax return,” Wesley says. “I’m not kidding.”

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal

Education:

BA in Business Economics from UC Irvine

Kiyomi Shiota has a green thumb. Her knack for growth, however, is with people and businesses.

As a senior assurance manager, Kiyomi oversees audit engagements and completes technical reviews of financial statements. She also assists with staff training and development. Kiyomi is known for being patient and flexible. She is proud to help others become successful, and is a high performer herself.

Kiyomi started her audit career at a Big Four firm and worked in the assurance department for 16 years, including an overseas tour to Japan. She joined ELLS Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors in 2017 and continued with the firm after it merged with LSL CPAs and Advisors in January 2018. She primarily works with clients in construction, healthcare, distribution and not-for-profit. Clients have access to a wealth of resources and experience through Kiyomi and her colleagues.

Great Clients for Kiyomi… are open to new ideas that will benefit their business.
LSL candidate tip… Talk about your resiliency and ability to embrace change.
Personal… Kiyomi is an animal lover and known by her friends as being reliable. She’s often the first person they call for help.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA),
Member, California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member, Supervisory Committee for Altura Credit Union
Volunteer, Red Bucket Equine Rescue

Education:

B.S. in Accounting, California State University, San Bernardino