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Our firm presently has sixteen employees, including five partners. Our organizational structure consists of three departments; audit and accounting, taxation and administration.
Partners
 Scott Davis, CPA
Audit and Accounting Partner
Scott has thirty-one years of experience in public accounting. He specializes in small to medium-sized companies. His areas of expertise in Audit and Accounting include: Government Entities, Non-profit Entities, Manufacturing, Construction, Start-up Companies, Business Consulting, Internal Audit, Litigation Support, and Forensic Accounting. In the income tax area Scott works with individual, trust and business income tax returns. Scott received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1981, and became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 1983. Scott's personal interests include playing bass guitar for thirty-seven years; currently with the Goleta Vineyard worship band, raising three kids and bicycling.
Patricia Krout, CPA
Tax Partner
Patricia has been a member of our firm since 1991. She started her career in private industry setting up accounting departments and computer systems as well as hiring and managing staff. She also provided accounting and bookkeeping services for other accounting firms and small to medium sized businesses. Patricia was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1992 and is currently a Partner in the Tax Department and a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Patricia has served as the President of the American Society of Women Accountants and is currently on the board of the Channel Counties Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Patricia received a Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Patricia's current emphasis is in the tax arena, she specializes in closely held businesses, partnerships, limited liability companies, real estate and high net worth individuals.
Joseph Lanza, CPA
Partner, Director of Tax
Joe has more than twenty-five years of experience in public accounting and has been working in Santa Barbara since 1984. He provides expertise in tax planning and financial management. He specializes in high net worth individuals, estate and trust taxation, and private companies in the construction, farming, real estate and high-tech industries. He is the 2008 President of the Santa Barbara Estate Planning Council. Joe served as President of the Channel Counties Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) for 2004-2005, and as President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North for 2006-2007. He also holds an Accredited Estate Planner designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. Joe graduated from University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. He then became a Certified Public Accountant in 1979.
David Larson, CPA
Managing Partner
After spending the first four years of his career with Ernst & Young’s (formerly Arthur Young) tax department in Beverly Hills, David joined the firm in 1987. His areas of expertise include high net worth individuals (professionals, retirees, and business owners). Industry expertise includes real estate (brokers, developers, and investors), professional service providers, farming, and high tech. His expertise also includes planning and compliance for pass through entities (S corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies). David serves as trustee for a number of trusts including a nonprofit. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and also received a Masters of Science Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University. David became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1984.
Chrisley Reed, CPA
Audit and Accounting Partner
Chris Reed, age 43, has been with McGowan Guntermann since 1989. He was promoted to a partner of the McGowan Guntermann - Audit and Accounting group in 1999, with expertise in employee benefit plans, non-profit organizations, service companies and manufacturing companies. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara in 1987, and became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1990. Chris is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (1991) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2002). For the years 1998 to 2003 he served as chairman of the Channel Counties Chapter of the Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards Committee and was a member at the California state level. Chris is a current member of the California State Peer Review Committee (2002). Chris is the immediate past president and current treasurer of the Greater Santa Barbara Unit of the American Cancer Society. He spent the previous two years serving as treasurer and has been a board member since 1999 and an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society since 1995. Chris is the current treasurer of the Non-Profit Support Center of Santa Barbara (2003). Chris Reed is an avid golfer and has lived in the Santa Barbara and Goleta area since 1973 and currently resides in Santa Barbara with his wife, Emily, and their children, Sebastian (5) and Lucienne (3).
Managers
Kathleen Jensen
Michael Smith
Professional Team
Administration
Daniel Cooper
Administrative Assistant
Daniel joined the team in July of 2001, as a member of the administration and support team. Daniel has over 10 years of experience in business administration. He is responsible for finalizing (assembling) all of the firm's tax returns and financial statements. He is also responsible for tracking all of the firm's projects on a timely basis. Daniel assists in various other areas, such as Records Management, File Maintenance and Accounts Receivable. He also earned a certificate in income tax planning from H & R Block. Daniel is a California Notary Public. He has been a volunteer the last 5 years for the Santa Barbara Triathlon and his interests include bird watching.
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Joyce Hirsch
Administrative Assistant
Joyce joined our firm in 1996 as an administrative assistant. Joyce maintains the firms' file storage system and facilities in addition to providing a variety of clerical and support services. She previously worked in real estate sales and as a bookkeeper for a Chicago CPA firm. Joyce attended Wright Junior College and Roosevelt University.
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Kathleen Jensen, E.A.
Firm Administrator
Prior to joining McGowan Guntermann in 1999, Kathleen worked for a local accounting practice for 22 years. In addition to accounting and tax return preparation, Kathleen's background includes extensive experience in personnel management, human resources, and property management. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and also attended Golden Gate University taking graduate level courses in taxation. Kathleen became licensed by the US Treasury as an Enrolled Agent in 1987.
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Tracey Kelly
Bookkeeper
Tracey joined the team at the beginning of 2003 as a member of the Administration team. In 2005, she was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, and currently handles several accounts in addition to all of her other ancillary responsibilities. Tracey studied at both Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo and at Santa Barbara City College. Working for private aviation companies for over ten years in Santa Barbara and Edmond, Oklahoma, Tracey gained extensive customer service and supervisory background experience. Tracey also participated in the production of both the Santa Barbara Airport Airshow and Gee Bee events. An active and committed mother of two boys, Tracey always finds time to participate and assist at a variety of school events and extra-curricular activities.
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Stephanie Locker
Bookkeeper
Stephanie joined our team in December 2006 only three weeks after returning from her honeymoon. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2002 with a major in Biopsychology. She is currently enrolled in the UCSB Extension CPA Certificate Program and has two years of bookkeeping experience at various companies in Santa Barbara. She is planning to become a CPA within the next few years.
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Moses Marines
Network Administrator
Moses joined the firm in 1993. He is responsible for managing the local area communications network (LAN) within the organization. He installs, configures, and maintains the organization's LAN servers and workstations. He manages performance and maintains security of the LAN. Moses is responsible for maintaining and updating the firm's website. He works closely with the firm's Citrix clients from initial setup to technical support. Moses is listed with the IRS as the firm's ERO (electronic return originator) and is responsible for the electronic filing of tax returns. Lastly, as its Marketing Coordinator, he serves as a liaison for all internal and external marketing activities. Moses received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs/Public Administration and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Southern California. He currently serves as Treasurer of the USC Alumni Club of Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. Moses received the 2005 University of Southern California Widney Alumni House Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles recognizing him for his outstanding volunteer service to USC. He is also locally involved in his volunteer support of the United Way of Santa Barbara County, Unity Shoppe Telethon and as an Usher at the Santa Barbara County Bowl.
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Kelly Schon, CPA
Junior Accountant
Kelly joined the firm at the beginning of 2006. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics with an Emphasis in Accounting from UC Santa Barbara. She works primarily in individual, partnership and corporate taxation and planning, and audit and accounting. She became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2007 and is looking forward to her career at McGowan Guntermann. Kelly is a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor, and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Santa Barbara Chapter of American Society of Women Accountants.
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Elizabeth Shasberger
Accountant
Elizabeth joined the team in October of 2005. She is a 1984 Biola University magna cum laude graduate in accounting, and has over 20 years of varied experience in the profession. She earned her CPA license in Indiana in 1987. She has worked for major accounting firms including Ernst & Whinney and Blue & Company, served as Controller for Amber Homes of Colorado, and maintained an active independent practice in personal tax and corporate financial services.
Michael Smith, CPA
Tax Manager
Michael joined the firm in January 2008. He hails from his home town of
Eugene
,
Oregon
and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with honors from the
University
of
Oregon
. He also holds a Master of Science in Taxation as well as a Juris Doctor degree. Michael has been involved in the financial services industry for over 30 years. He originally moved to
Santa Barbara
with a national consulting firm in 1985. Most recently, he worked for a local firm in the areas of estate planning, estate & gift taxation, income taxation of estates & trusts, and taxation of charitable organizations. In addition to several years in public accounting specializing in taxation, his broad background includes financial advisory services, investment management, employee benefits consulting, and computer software development. He was also Adjunct Professor of Accounting/Finance for over 10 years. He has made education a primary focus throughout his career, and has acquired additional professional designations as Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Pension Consultant (CPC), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA), Accredited Pension Administrator (APA), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).
Stephen Smith, CPA
Audit & Accounting Manager
Prior to joining McGowan Guntermann in 2008, Steve worked for an accounting firm in
Oxnard
for five years and as a CFO in private industry for one year. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from
California
State
University
, Northridge, in 2001, and became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2005. He works primarily in the areas of audit and review, small business accounting and consulting, and individual, partnership and corporate taxation and planning. Steve is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is currently the treasurer for Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, a local not-for-profit, and a volunteer at Calvary Chapel,
Camarillo
. Steve is a sports enthusiast, enjoying football and baseball while playing on several men and coed softball teams. He enjoys being outdoors with his wife, Kelly, and two children, Rebekah and Brayden.
Travis Wilson, CPA/PFS, CFP®
Manager
Travis graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics (Emphasis in Accounting) and Political Science. He has obtained the CFP® certification issued by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and the PFS (Personal Financial Specialist) designation granted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2005, a CFP® professional and Personal Financial Specialist in 2006. Travis is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has been with the firm since 2001 working primarily in the areas of financial accounting and consulting, audit, nonprofit, real estate, and small business accounting and taxation. Travis is currently serving as treasurer of the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, volunteers as a summer counselor for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, and is a former Santa Barbara Foundation Katherine Harvey Fellow.
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