JAMES ERNST ACCOUNTING was established in 1993. Since that time we have grown into a well respected and highly regarded CPA firm. Our staff is always ready to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of each of our clients.
Over the years our firm has developed specialized skills in the areas of Income Tax Planning and Preparation including IRS and FTB Audit Representation. Further, our firm is widely known for its expertise in the Homeowners' Association arena (Monthly Bookkeeping as well as Year-end Audits and Reviews).
Value added services are also available to our clients, including Mortgage Loan Services, Financial Services, and Human Resources Consulting. Through our affiliations with Home Loans USA, Inc., AFA Financial Group, LLC, and Lynch & Associates, we are able to provide these services to each of our clients on an as needed basis. Further, our staff has obtained the training and education necessary to meet the needs of our clients in each of these specialized areas - General Securities Representatives and Real Estate Salespersons.
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To provide timely and accurate professional accounting, tax and consulting services to our individual, small business and homeowners' association clients. Our goal is to meet or exceeds the needs and expectations of each of our clients in a thoughtful and professional manner.
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We look forward to working with each of you in order to improve our services and increase your understanding and awareness of the issues you face on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. Our staff is always available to answer any questions or assist you in any way.
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JAMES H. ERNST, CPA, MS-Tax, CCAM was licensed by the California Board of Accountancy in 1980 as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has been working in the area of accounting, taxes and consulting ever since. He has a Masters Degree in Taxation (MS-Tax) from Golden Gate University and a Bachelors degree in Business/Accounting from CSU Long Beach.
In order to stay on the leading edge of new tax laws and accounting rules, he regularly attends educational seminars and workshops. In addition, Jim is a frequent speaker in the areas of tax and business services for individuals and businesses as well as accounting and tax related issues for Homeowners' Associations.
Jim also has a license as a General Securities Representative and a license as a Real Estate Salesperson. In addition, he is a Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM).
DONNA L. SMITH, EA is a licensed Enrolled Agent (EA) and specializes in individual and small business taxes. She is the Manager in our Tax Department and is our primary contact for tax issues. Donna has been working in this area since 1985 and she continues to increase her skills and abilities by actively participating in education and training courses.
Donna also has a Real Estate Salesperson's license and heads our Mortgage Loan Department.
DIANE M. HART is our Office Manager. As such, she is responsible for our day-to-day operations as well as the bookkeeping for our firm. In addition to handling the daily and monthly financial reporting needs of our firm, she also handles the bookkeeping for our small business clients.
CORINNE E. DIAZ is the Supervisor of our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department where she is responsible for all activities in the this department, including staff supervision, monthly financial reporting, and daily department activities. Corinne is our primary contact for members of our various Homeowners' Association clients.
TRISHA L. CONTE is a Staff Accountant in our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department. She is primarily responsible for the preparation of their monthly financial reporting including monthly bank reconciliations.
MICHELLE REUTLINGER is a Staff Accountant in our Homeowners, Association Bookkeeping Department. She is primarily responsible for association member billing, payments, and account balance information.
LIBBY B. ADAMS is a Staff Accountant in our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department. She is primarily responsible for accounts payable reporting and vendor check prepareation. Libby brings several years of experience in Accounts Payable, and she also provides assistance to the other members of the firm on an as needed basis.
IVY M. RIVAS is a Staff Accountant in our Homeowners' Association Audit Department. She performs annual audits and reviews, and she prepares the annual Federal and California income tax returns for our Homeowners' Association clients.
RIC SCHNEIDER, CPA is in charge of our Audit Department. As an independent contractor, Ric has over 30 years experience as a CPA and is responsible for the management and completion of all year-end Audits and Reviews of our Homeowners' Association clients.
TIMOTHY E. CRUMLEY is a member of our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department as a Staff Accountant.
JENNIFER M. GALLIGAN is the newest member of our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department as a Staff Accountant.
