When you are personally interviewed by a future managing partner, it leads to good things. Erika joined LSL CPAs through an on-campus interview and was hired a couple weeks after graduation in 2002.

She has steadily moved up the career ladder to manager, providing accounting and assurance services primarily to municipal, commercial and automotive accounting clients. She describes herself as loyal, to the firm and to her clients. Her favorite time of day is digging into the financials of her clients and helping them put everything in proper order.

In fact, Erika’s love of accounting expands into her personal life. She lends free time and expertise to her local church finance committee. She has also stayed active in her college sorority by helping a local chapter house maintain a safe and functional facility.

Great Clients for Erika… like detail-oriented management of their accounting and audits.
LSL candidate tip: Talk about your dogs.
Personal: She and her husband bought their first home recently and enjoy attending Angels baseball games and staying active outdoors.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member, Auto Dealers Office Management Association (ADOMA)
Member, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, treasurer of local Affiliated House Corporation Board

Education:

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

Jeffrey Boxx likes a challenge. He finds great reward in helping new businesses launch and existing businesses enter new markets. No matter the challenge you’re facing, Jeffrey is there for you.

As a tax manager, Jeffrey reviews tax returns and tax projects, and oversees internal staff and client accounts. Clients appreciate his ability to listen to and address their concerns. He helps clients learn about new opportunities that will support growth and minimize their tax burden. Jeffrey is also available to answer any questions they have along the way, from setting up payroll to tracking expenses.

For the first six years of his career, Jeffrey managed the financial analysis project for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Real estate is a natural focus for Jeffrey, due to his prior experience, but he also focuses on manufacturing and health care. He joined ELLS Certified Public Accountants & Business Advisors in 2006 and continued with the firm through its merger with LSL CPAs and Advisors in January 2018.

Great Clients for Jeffrey… value his input and ideas when it comes to operating a successful business.
LSL candidate tip: Talk about your ability to problem-solve.
Personal: When he’s not spending time with his wife and two young sons, Jeffrey enjoys cycling.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA),
Member, California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Ambassador, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, University of California, Riverside
MBA, Management Information Systems, University of California, Riverside

Professional and Civic Involvement:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Municipal Finance Officers Member (CSMFO)

Education:

BA Accounting, California State University, Fullerton
MS in Accountancy, California State University, Fullerton

Andrew began his career in public accounting in 2012, but if you really want to get him talking, ask him about the Angels.

Before coming to LSL CPAs, Andrew spent eight years at a local firm called Bolar Hirsch & Jennings, LLP (acquired by Armanino, LLP in 2019). During that time, Andrew cultivated enhanced accounting expertise in the real estate, hotels, restaurants, and professional services businesses along with years of practical knowledge in many other industries.

Of being a CPA, he says, “I like the challenge of staying well-informed of the constantly changing tax laws and working with clients to become their trusted advisor.”

Great Clients for Andrew … Andrew enjoys working on tax compliance for pass-through entities and high-net-worth individuals.

LSL Candidate Tip … On the subject of tax compliance, Andrew says, “I find it very satisfying to help our clients make business and life decisions as we work toward minimizing tax consequences.”

Personal … Andrew and his wife have two sons, a two-year-old and a six-month-old. Andrew enjoys watching football and baseball (go Angels), and he likes the beach and traveling.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

AICPA, CalCPA, Firm member, PrimeGlobal

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics, Emphasis in Accounting – University of California, Santa Barbara

Master of Science, Taxation – California State University, Fullerton

Lisa may describe herself as a certified public accountant, but experience shows that she’s an entrepreneur helping entrepreneurs.

In 2009, Lisa merged her accounting practice with LSL CPAs after more than 25 years in the industry. She found her path in high school while taking an accounting elective. Her interest in strategizing tax solutions is the perfect fit for small business clients and individuals.

Drawn to service, Lisa is gratified by the opportunity to sit down with clients, talk through their challenges and tax situation and help them plan for the future. When she can find a solution that minimizes their business or personal tax obligations, it’s as exciting for her as it is for them.

Lisa’s experience as a former business owner helps to support many aspects of client service. She enjoys overseeing team members and processes for the firm in the commercial area as well as communication between departments.

Great Clients for Lisa… enjoy discussing issues until that light-bulb moment of clarity.
LSL candidate tip… Talk about your last trip or recommend a travel destination.
Personal… Lisa teaches Sunday school and participates in Bible studies at her church. She and her husband are embracing their almost-empty-nester life, such as their trips to Big Sur and Chicago.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

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

Education:

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

Ryan Domino goes the extra mile for his clients, approaching audits as a cooperative effort in which both parties work toward a common goal.

As an assurance manager, Ryan leads audit engagements, completes technical reviews of financial statements and reviews audit files for municipalities, water districts and fire authorities. He is also involved in training new staff members. He acts as a mentor and resource to both his clients and his team.

Ryan was an operations manager during college, overseeing payroll preparation, recordkeeping, asset protection and internal auditing. He started working with the firm in 2013 after graduation. Ryan enjoys research and learning about complex accounting requirements to the benefit of his clients. In addition to government industry audits, he also specializes in audits of federal awards in accordance with the new Uniform Guidance and OMB Circular A-133 standards. Ryan is on the Special Review Committee for the Governmental Financial Officers Association (GFOA).

Great Clients for Ryan… present a challenge for him to meet head-on.
LSL candidate tip… Ask him about the firm’s culture.
Personal… Ryan trains and competes in Spartan Race and Tough Mudder obstacle races when he’s not playing golf or remodeling the home that he and his wife, Rachel, bought in 2016.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Governmental Financial Officers Association (GFOA), Special Review Committee

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, California State University, Fullerton

Gary Eder is an advocate for his clients. He is often the first person they call when they need help making business decisions and, even if it’s not in his area of expertise, he is more than happy to point them in the right direction.

As a senior tax manager, Gary oversees client relationships, acting as the primary contact and helping to ensure the highest quality of work. He understands the importance of teamwork, and supports and mentors staff as they move along in their career.

Prior to joining LSL CPAs and Advisors in January 2018, Gary gained extensive experience in accounting for real estate and construction clients. He leans on his background to assist clients with complex issues that are unique to their industries. Count on Gary to apply his knowledge to your project for the best possible results.

Great Clients for Gary… call him before making important decisions about their business.
LSL candidate tip: Share what excites you about accounting.
Personal: Gary loves sports, especially hockey and football. He also enjoys cycling, traveling and spending time with his wife and son.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)

Education:

B.B.A. in Accounting, California State University, Fullerton
Master’s degree in Tax, Golden Gate University

Jocelyn’s passion for municipalities shines through in the relationships she has built with clients and professionals in the industry. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting at Cal State Fullerton, her dual degree with Information System and Decision Sciences gives her the ability to adapt quickly to the ever-evolving auditing technology. Jocelyn’s positivity radiates when talking with clients whether it is about their project or discussing plans for the weekend.

She started her career at LSL in the Tax Department working on tax returns and bookkeeping projects but has since transitioned into working exclusively with governments and municipalities. Her passion for municipalities can be attested to the relationships she has built with clients and professionals in the industry.

Jocelyn just recently relocated to the Sacramento area and is looking forward to exploring the natural beauties Northern California has to offer through hikes and camping trips. Since moving, Jocelyn wants to get to know her community more and get involved.

Great clients for you …those who are excited about the changes in technology and how they can better their organization
LSL candidate tip …mention your favorite foodie restaurants or mention your participation in community service events
Personal … new resident of Northern California and loving the scenery of Sacramento

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm Member, Prime Global
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)

Education:

BS in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton in Accounting
BS in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton in Information Systems and Decision Sciences

It’s no wonder why clients enjoy working with Brytni Gonzales. Her goal is to improve their lives by understanding their businesses and goals for the future.

As a tax manager, Brytni manages client relationships and oversees tax planning and preparation of privately held entities and high net worth individuals. She also mentors staff and helps them grow. By making herself available and approachable, everyone who works with Brytni is comfortable going to her for guidance.

Brytni joined LSL CPAs and Advisors in January 2018. Her focus is on taxation for real estate, manufacturing and professional services. She applies her knowledge in these areas to help her clients every step of the way. They appreciate her willingness to walk them through documents, helping them understand what it all means in plain English. By educating her clients on where they’ve been, where they are and where they can go, she is better able to meet their needs.

Great Clients for Brytni … trust her to take care of them.
LSL candidate tip… Talk about the strengths you bring to a team.
Personal… Brytni is married with two children. She is supportive of their activities, from her daughter’s involvement in swim and dance to her husband’s soccer hobby with some of her LSL colleagues. She and her husband are looking forward to taking their daughter to London and Paris in 2018.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

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

Education:

B.S. in Accounting, Arizona State University
Master’s degree in Accounting and Information Systems, Arizona State University

 is an economics term that inspired Sam to choose a career that fit her strengths.

A community college course in bookkeeping led to her major in accounting. She joined LSL CPAs in 1998 and is one of the firm’s valued tax managers, focusing on various tax returns for closely held businesses as well as entity structures and assurance. Her clients include individuals, partnerships, estates, trusts, corporations and not-for-profit entities. Sam has successfully represented clients in resolving tax disputes with the IRS and California Franchise Board.

Many of Sam’s clients are in manufacturing and distribution and hold real estate assets. Her consulting encompasses estate, income, sales and property tax minimization and reporting. A good day for her is working on a tax audit to discover ways that clients can minimize their taxes while efficiently and accurately reporting income or revenue.

Great Clients for Sam… treat their employees well, create interesting businesses and want to comply with the law.
LSL candidate tip… Talk about Frank Lloyd Wright or Star Trek.
Personal… Enjoys hiking and has summited Half Dome in Yosemite; interested in art, science fiction and environmental science.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
National Association of Tax Professionals
Member, Treasurer, Kiwanis Club of Brea
Member, Sierra Club
Former Camp Secretary, YMCA

Education:

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

At Work: Matt manages our ongoing implementation and development projects. He also contributes to training materials and our CaseWare library content. He is on our support team and offers governmental accounting as well as software specific support for our clients and our fellow team members. He also serves as a CaseWare authorized trainer, consultant, and implementation specialist.

Personally: Matt believes that a project is not successful until the client believes it to be so. Matt also thinks work-life balance is important for our whole team. The staff at Gray CPAs has a tendency to overwork themselves – which is an awesome trait – but Matt has made it his mission to make sure everyone takes care of themselves. He also unofficially monitors the happiness and enrichment levels of our team and is the first to sound the alarm if someone needs a change of pace.

Off the Clock: Matt truly values the power of play and participates every year in Extra Life to raise funds to provide enrichment to chronic illness patients at Texas Children’s Hospital. Matt is passionate about all methods of gaming. Gaming is a way to provide education and healing to people as well as just for fun. Gaming is how we make connections and friends in our area and wherever we go. Matt also loves his family; including his wife, Natalie; their Dogs, Yuki and Vixen; their cats, Miss Kitty, Piwo, and Yotsuba. They almost always have a foster dog from the Texas Sled Dog Rescue as well.

Favorite Quote: “To infinity and beyond.” – Buzz Lightyear

Funky Fact: Matt likes to build and assemble things like Legos, Gunpla, Models, and Miniatures

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-freitas-889194124/

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm Member, Prime Global

Education:

BS in Accounting and Finance, University of California, Santa Barbara

BS in Computer Science, University of Advancing Technology

Kirk Hamblin sees the potential in every client, prospect and team member he meets. His perspective drives his approach to management and brings out the best in everyone on his team.As an assurance manager, Kirk oversees municipal, water districts, special districts and not-for-profit audits. This includes collaborating with clients to establish expectations and helping to ensure that his team is providing the best level of service. He also provides recommendations for improvements and best practices. Using his strong organization skills, Kirk is responsive to clients and often manages multiple engagements at once. That being said, you can always count on his full attention when he’s working on your audits.

Although he joined LSL CPAs in 2011, Kirk remembers being a young accountant. He provides a patient, comfortable approach to mentoring young team members and encourages them to keep an open mind to allow for growth. This is his way of contributing to a positive firm culture and developing an excellent team.

Great Clients for Kirk… appreciate clear expectations and a team-oriented approach for growth and improvement.
LSL candidate tip… He likes watching the Los Angeles Angels, but he loves watching the Anaheim Ducks.
Personal… Kirk and his wife Brittany welcomed twins (a boy and a girl) in July 2015. He takes pride in his ability to balance work and life, making preparations to watch his children grow up while advancing in his professional career.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal

Education:

B.S. degree in Accounting, University of La Verne

Accounting wasn’t Melissa’s first career choice, but she agreed to try it out for three months upon her father’s insistence. “Hate to say it, but he was right! I absolutely love how challenging and dynamic accounting is.”

Melissa was born in Taiwan and grew up in Los Angeles. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English. Before joining LSL, she worked with other Orange County CPA firms focusing on corporate, partnership, fiduciary, and personal income tax preparation, review, and strategic planning.

Melissa provides taxation expertise to several industries, including real estate, professional services, manufacturing, distribution, construction, and non-profit organizations. Her services also include tax compliance and strategic planning/consultation for C and S Corporations, general partnerships, LLCs, individuals, and non-profit organizations.

She enjoys serving a client base that consists mainly of privately-held entities and their owners, largely because of the personal relationships that develop and the pleasure of seeing clients grow their businesses.

Great Clients for Melissa … are those who like to be assured that accounting and tax planning are not just about the numbers. Melissa wants to help clients recognize and then gain what is truly important to them in their businesses.
LSL Candidate Tip … Navigating the human nature part of a business decision is always challenging and never gets easier. For Melissa, being a CPA is all about the personal relationships she develops and the added value she can provide her clients through her work at LSL CPAs.
Personal … Melissa and her husband enjoy spending time with her family and their fur-baby. They like to travel domestically and internationally and especially enjoy Bali, Japan, and her childhood home of Taiwan.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
Member, APCPPA – Asian Pacific CPA Association
Board member, ‘Give a Beat’ – GiveaBeat.org is a nonprofit that bridges the electronic music community with youth and families affected by incarceration by providing access to music and the creative arts.

Education:

BS in Economics from UCLA Master of Taxation from Golden Gate University

Jenny Kim doesn’t see herself as the old-fashioned kind of CPA. She says, “CPAs in today’s world can’t be satisfied with number-crunching and doing behind-the-scenes activities. We are advisors–and team members sometimes–for our clients’ personal and business needs. Accounting and tax rules and regulations are constantly changing, which means we have exciting opportunities for professional growth.”

With previous positions at White Nelson Diehl Evans and Ernst & Young, Jenny has collected years of experience in compliance and consulting for privately held corporations, partnerships, and individuals across several industries, including healthcare, professional services, private schools, and manufacturing and distribution.

Of specializing in the tax manager area, Jenny says, “I started out wanting to be a medical doctor. But I think I can save people’s tax lives by working as their CPA. It’s true. And it’s not as messy!”

Great Clients for Jenny… If you want a powerhouse on your side, Jenny is a great choice. She successfully scored a NOL carryback for a client resulting in a $300K tax refund that arrived in the midst of the pandemic.

LSL Candidate Tip … Jenny enjoys mentoring experienced and newer staff on career and personal goals. She has many years working closely with staff and has helped many of them advance within the organization.

Personal … Jenny has two children, two Japanese Akita dogs, and a hamster. She says, “When I’m not in the office, my kids and pets own me. My husband and I also spend a lot of time gardening. We grow fruit trees: lemon, Australian finger lime, orange, mandarin, tangerine, apple, persimmon, pomegranate, nectaplum, jujube, loquat, and a few more.”

Professional and Civic Involvement:

AICPA, CalCPA, Firm member, PrimeGlobal

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Accounting, both degrees, from Saint Louis University. CPA in 2007 in Missouri, and certified in California in 2010.

Wayne Lai must have little bits of debits and credits stuck to his DNA because his mom and sister are both accountants. It makes perfect sense that before and while he was working on his CPA (which he obtained in 2012), he worked for a local accounting firm in Orange County for 15 years.

He has concentrated on many aspects of tax accounting for companies in manufacturing and distribution, equipment leasing, and real estate, among others, and high-net-worth individuals during his accounting career. His areas of expertise are tax compliance, tax consulting, quarterly/year-end tax planning,1031 exchanges, buy/sell analysis, and assisting with federal and state agency audits.

He especially enjoys the personal relationships with his clients. Wayne prides himself on staying up-to-date with the ever-changing tax laws, “so I can proactively consult on every issue that arises.”

Great Clients for Wayne… Wayne says, “I enjoy becoming and being a dependable advisor for my clients as we help them navigate their financial well-being from a tax perspective.”

LSL Candidate Tip … Talk about how you are able to stay current with all of the tax law changes due to COVID and the pandemic.

Personal … Wayne is married and has two children. When he’s not with his big family (they all live close by), he’s on the golf course or basketball court with his buddies. His favorite sports teams are the LA Lakers, Green Bay Packers, and Atlanta Braves.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

AICPA, CalCPA, Firm member, PrimeGlobal

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Accounting – California State University at Fullerton.

Master of Science in Accountancy with Specialization in Taxation – San Diego State University.

Sometimes an accounting career finds you. Just ask Kim, a Spanish major who discovered her love of accounting while working in the university student bookstore at UCLA.

Kim joined LSL CPAs in 1988 working as a staff auditor, she then obtained her CPA license, and hasn’t looked back. She has evolved in her career to serve as a trusted consultant for unusual client tax issues such as the establishment and dissolution of business entities. She has also supported improvements to LSL audit processes to better serve clients. She aspires to keep long-term clients because they demand her best work.

Her clients are eclectic, ranging from business improvement districts to foundations. She has a particular focus on not-for-profits regarding tax and regulatory issues, registrations and audit engagements. She enjoys the opportunity to visit clients, meet the staff and see how they work. This supports a stronger base of knowledge when she and her team make recommendations.

Great Clients for Kim… appreciate her knowledge and match her warm personality.
LSL candidate tip… Discuss the arts, the vibrant West Hollywood area or parenting.
Personal… Busy with three children and has traveled to domestic and exotic locations, but a favorite road trip was visiting her father’s home state of Texas to see family.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Former Technical Reviewer, Government Finance Officers Association Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Member, Brea Chamber of Commerce
Auditor and Treasurer, Parent Teacher Association
Summer Camp Counselor

Education:

B.A. degree, University of California, Los Angeles

There is something to be said for longevity, and Frank has not stopped learning and teaching since he joined LSL CPAs as a staff auditor in 1994. He attributes his tenure to the variety of clients and fun culture of the firm.

Given that he now works mainly with municipalities and government entities, that’s saying a lot. But he enjoys the organization required to perform these audits while simultaneously mentoring audit team members to perform at their best. Frank also works with clients on financial reporting and accounting throughout the year.

To further demonstrate his flexibility, Frank recalls one client that was scheduled for an audit later than usual due to a system conversion. When the client wanted LSL to perform the audit at the usual time, Frank and the audit team mobilized to perform the audit in just one week. Frank wants to deliver that same reliability on every project…preferably with a nice balance between effort and rest.

Great Clients for Frank… are municipalities and local governmental entities.
LSL candidate tip… Ask him about touring the south of France.
Personal… enjoys hiking, biking and backpacking.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member and Technical Reviewer, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Education:

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

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

Brian is an accountant of the future! Serving industries like Real Estate, Private Equity, and Online e-commerce, he is constantly keeping up with the ever-changing, complex tax laws. Clients can count on him to guide them through these complexities in order to minimize their tax obligations.

Brian is committed to providing quality work with exceptional client service. His overall goal is to earn and keep the respect as a trusted advisor for clients, project after project.

With a Masters in Taxation, he currently works with various Partnerships, Corporations and High Net Worth Individuals. Being in the accounting industry for 15+ years has given Brian the knowledge and know-how ease a client’s stress so that they can focus on other aspects of their business.

Great clients for you …. Clients that share our firm’s core values such as Integrity, Respect, Accountability and Innovation.
LSL candidate tip …. Talk about sports and the real LA professional sports teams (Dodgers, Lakers and Kings)
Personal …. Love playing sports and spending time with my family and friends.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm Member, Prime Global
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)

Education:

BS in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles
MS in Taxation from Golden Gate University

When asked what she does for a career, Olivia says, “I manage the human resources (HR) services for one of the best regional CPA Firms in Orange County.”

Olivia got her start in HR accidentally. Originally hired as an Office Manager at a start-up food manufacturing company, she was “thrown in” to help start the company’s HR department. She was a natural and joined LSL in March 2015.

As the Firm Administrator, Olivia provides professional HR guidance and coordinates the implementation of people-related services. She also develops policies and programs related to talent attraction and retention. Acting as the #1 fan of LSL, she drives the company culture and leads the corporate social responsibility initiative.

From making sure only the most qualified candidates come through the door to babysitting (in a pinch), Olivia is available to make life easier for the LSL team. She enjoys helping and building trust in others.

Great Clients for Olivia…those who appreciate the LSL culture and understand that she is there to help.
LSL candidate tip… If you’re lucky enough to join LSL, you’ll be working with some of the best people in the accounting business.
Personal… Olivia is married with two wonderful children. She loves the SoCal lifestyle and being outdoors. She also scrapbooks and bakes.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA)

Education:

B.A. degree, UCLA

Chris has over 15 years of experience in public accounting. He joined the LSL team in 2002.

Chris has a broad range of industry experience including manufacturing, real estate, and service companies. His areas of expertise include complex audit, review, and financial reporting issues and ERISA employee benefit plan audits.

Chris manages the majority of the firms’ review and audit engagements.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Member, California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member, Western Pension & Benefits Association

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Chapman University

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest experiences in life, and Laurie wants to be there for the surviving spouse or family members.

Overseeing trust and estate administration at LSL CPAs, Laurie has a soft touch when translating complex tax considerations into simple steps for her clients. She has worked in every aspect of public accounting as well as several years in private industry before rejoining Vilmure, Peeler & Boucher, which merged with LSL in 2013. Currently, her work includes court accountings and all related estate tax returns. As part of the firm’s tax and small business section, Laurie has assisted clients involved with the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program and has successfully represented clients in federal, state and county tax disputes.

As a senior manager, Laurie assists leadership at LSL with firm administration and planning. She is also actively involved in the firm’s “Doing What Counts!” program, which engages team members in a variety of charity and philanthropic activities throughout the year — from 5K fundraisers to donating blood.

Great Clients for Laurie… need an empathetic advisor for challenging trust and estate issues.
LSL candidate tip… Enjoy everything you do.
Personal… Proud mom to two Eagle Scouts, a gardener and explorer.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
Member, National Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma

Education:

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

Being a CPA means constantly encountering new opportunities. Where some people might see a problem, Mark sees an opportunity get to the root of the issue and come up with a creative solution or process that will optimize his client’s results. Mark’s goal at the end of every project is a happy client who has the tools and information they need to take on their next challenge.

Mark relies on his broad background in public accounting and private industry to help him meet this goal. He has performed a variety of tax compliance and planning projects, including estate planning, for clients that have ranged from individuals with a small rental real estate portfolio, to businesses with sales of several hundred million dollars. In addition, Mark has structured business entities, created and installed accounting and information systems, obtained financing, and managed the attest process, both as auditor and client. In his over 30 years as a CPA, Mark has gained experience and expertise in diverse industries including real estate development, construction, property management, manufacturing, healthcare, and automotive dealership accounting.

Great clients for Mark… wish to add additional perspective or expertise to their team. Perhaps it’s time to tackle that stubbornly persistent problem.
LSL candidate tip… Both of Mark’s sons are Eagle Scouts and Mark was an Assistant Scoutmaster for many years. Share one of your own adventure stories with him.
Personal… Mark is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Laurie, who still puts up with his “all things tech” obsession.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Firm member, PrimeGlobal
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
American Bar Association
Orange County Bar Association

Education:

Juris Doctor/Master of Real Estate Development, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Concentration in Accounting, Minors in Mathematics and Computer Science, California State University, Fullerton, California

Mark is also a member of our Automotive Accounting Team