Partners
After spending the first four years of his career with Arthur & Young’s 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), and technology. His expertise also includes planning and compliance for pass through entities (S corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies). David supervises many business management and personal financial services engagements. He 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 Master of Science Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University. David became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1984. He is an avid cyclist and runner.
805.879.9929 dlarson@mcgowan.com
Chris Reed, CPA 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 not-for-profit organizations and employee benefit plans. 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 past chair and current member of the California State Peer Review Committee (2002). Chris has performed firm-on-firm peer reviews for over 20 years.
805.879.9894 creed@mcgowan.com
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 as the President of the Channel Counties Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Patricia received a Master’s 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.
805.879.9908 pkrout@mcgowan.com
Steve joined McGowan Guntermann in 2008 as a Manager of our Audit and Accounting Department and he was promoted to Partner in 2017. Prior to joining us, 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. Steve became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2005 and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Steve works primarily in the areas of audit and review, small business accounting and consulting, and non-profit, individual, partnership and corporate taxation and planning. He is currently on the Board of the Camarillo Pony Baseball Association and volunteers at various organizations including American Youth Soccer Organization, Camarillo Pony Baseball Association and Camarillo Girls Softball Association.
805.879.9895 ssmith@mcgowan.com
Technical Team
Catherine has been working in the accounting industry with local businesses and individuals in the Santa Barbara area since she graduated from University of California Santa Barbara in 2012. She has worked as a CPA in public accounting and spent several years as a bookkeeper prior to joining the McGowan Guntermann team. She has utilized her skills in accounting and financial analysis to aid companies and individuals in cash flow management and tax strategies. Outside of the office, Catherine enjoys playing in her soccer league, taking yoga classes, going camping and strolling the local farmers market.
805.879.9911 clauber@mcgowan.com
Daniel has worked in public accounting since graduating from California State University, Fresno in 2010. He became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2013. Daniel is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Daniel’s experience is primarily in government entities, non-profits, and non-public companies. When Daniel isn’t in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling, reading, and watching baseball.
805.567.4397 dnewman@mcgowan.com
Jennifer joined McGowan Guntermann in January 2019. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics with an Accounting Emphasis from University of California, Santa Barbara in 2011. She has been working in the accounting industry since she graduated, and became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 2020. Jennifer has worked extensively with individuals and businesses on various tax and accounting matters. She specializes in serving the tax compliance and consulting needs of high net worth individuals and small businesses. When Jennifer is not in the office, she enjoys traveling, volunteering at local events, taking yoga classes, reading, and watching sports.
805.879.7052 jsmith@mcgowan.com
Julia has worked in public accounting since receiving her Master of Business Taxation from the University of Southern California in 2015. She is active in the Channel Islands Chapter CalCPA and serves on the chair for Financial Literacy and Emerging Professionals. She also serves as the Assistant Treasurer for Santa Barbara Beekeeper’s Association, a local non-profit. Julia’s experience has been focused on S Corporations, partnerships and high net worth individuals. She enjoys beekeeping, pottery and hiking.
805.879.9907 jwalther@mcgowan.com
Leah joined the firm in 2021. She has worked in both private industry and public accounting, with a diverse client group of high-net-worth individuals, nonprofits, trusts and S-corps. She assists clients with their cash flow management, general ledger management, financial statement preparation, and payroll and sales tax compliance. In addition, she works closely with CPAs to complete annual tax returns. Leah customizes financial reporting to fit her clients’ needs, which provides them with valuable insight into their businesses. She enjoys leveraging technology to improve efficiencies in the accounting processes for her clients. Leah received a Bachelor of Arts from University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. In her time away from the firm, she enjoys playing beach volleyball and traveling.
805.892.7060 ldunbar@mcgowan.com
Lisa joined McGowan Guntermann in 2019 as a new graduate of California State University Channel Islands where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business, magna cum laude. Prior to this time, she worked within the Santa Barbara County public education system in roles supporting both general and special education. In her last role, Lisa became familiar with education finance and assisted with accounts payable. Lisa finds her role at McGowan Guntermann rewarding. She enjoys the practice of public accounting and working with clients. Being a member of the McGowan Guntermann team has given her insight to the profession and has inspired her to pursue CPA licensure. Outside of the office, Lisa enjoys cooking, spending time at the beach, and playing classical guitar.
805.879.9910 lfernandez@mcgowan.com
Patricia joined the firm in 2022. Patricia has a background in the non-profit sector and has been in public accounting for nearly ten years. Patricia’s experience has been focused on supporting a diverse client base of small to midsize, closely held entities with various aspects of full-cycle accounting. She is a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and is pursuing additional education with the goal of CPA licensure. Outside of the office she enjoys gardening, running, and studying accounting.
805.892.7970 pwilkie@mcgowan.com
Romie comes to us with years of bookkeeping experience in a variety of fields- both business & individuals. She is a Santa Barbara native having raised her son & daughter here. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family & friends either enjoying a good home cooked meal or the beautiful outdoors of the city she calls home. As a lover of all animals, there’s always a resident canine or feline companion.
805.879.9909 rgallardo@mcgowan.com
Ann joined McGowan Guntermann in April 2021. She previously worked with another local CPA firm as their Office Manager. Ann is a Santa Barbara native however lived on Maui for 10 years where she worked as an Executive Assistant with Starwood Vacation Ownership. In her free time she enjoys taking road trips, watching football as well as spending time at the beach with her husband and dog.
805.879.9896 asimon@mcgowan.com