Partner
Michael J. Zizzi, CPA
Mike joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1989 and became a partner in 1998. Mike oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm while specializing in the audit of water districts, nonprofit organizations, the affordable housing industry and small businesses. In addition, he prepares individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Education
California Polytechnic University,
San Luis Obispo
BSBA, 1986
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Accounting and Auditing
OMB Uniform Guidance
Nonprofit Organizations
California Special Districts
Affordable Housing Industry
Implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statements
Individual and Small Business Taxation
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Designated Audit Quality Partner - AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center
Instructor - Special District Board Management Institute
Treasurer Parkview Little League
President San Diego County Club
Partner
Nicholas M. Gines, CPA
Nicholas joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1997 and became a partner in 2005. Nicholas specializes in real estate taxation, including construction, development and syndicated partnerships. Based on his knowledge and experience, Nicholas has provided valuable advice to high-net-worth commercial and residential property owners.
He also lends his expertise in consulting and individual and corporate tax preparation (partnerships, S and C corporations, limited liability companies) to all-size businesses, ranging from professional services, technology and retail to manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.
Education
University of Arizona
Bachelor's of Science in Accounting and Finance, 1995
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Real Estate Taxation
Partnership Planning and Compliance
C Corporation Planning and Compliance
S Corporation Planning and Compliance
Limited Liability Company Planning and Compliance
QuickBooks
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
Jennifer S. Kinnard, CPA
Jennifer joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 2002 and became a partner in 2015. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include tax planning and compliance with a focus on individual, and business tax services. She also offers experience in nonprofit organizations and affordable housing tax services. Jennifer serves a variety of individuals and entities across many industries.
Education
National University
Master of Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting, 1998
University of California, San Diego
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 1994
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Business and Individual Tax Planning and Consulting
S Corporation Planning and Compliance
C Corporation Planning and Compliance
Limited Liability Company Planning and Compliance
Partnership Planning and Compliance
Closely-Held Companies Planning and Compliance
Nonprofit Organizations Planning and Compliance
Real Estate Taxation
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
Craig R. Slabaugh, CPA
Craig brought to Leaf & Cole over 30 years of experience upon joining the firm in 2013. In addition to having extensive experience in tax compliance and small business planning across all entity types, and involving many diverse industries and non-profit organizations, he also specializes in assisting new business enterprises and representing clients undergoing tax agency audits.
Education
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 1980
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Small business start-ups, structuring, and strategic planning
Professional practices and service industries
S Corporation Planning and Compliance
C Corporation Planning and Compliance
Limited Liability Company Planning and Compliance
Estates and Trusts Planning and Compliance
Represent clients in tax examinations by IRS and State agencies
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Nonprofit organization board member and volunteer
Partner
Carole A. Schmerbauch, CPA
Carole was recruited by Leaf & Cole, LLP in 2004 and accepted a partner position in 2017. Carole’s areas of expertise are in tax planning and compliance. Carole specializes in estate, trust and business tax services. Carole is also experienced in individual and multistate tax services.
Education
National University
Master of Science emphasis in Taxation, 2008
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 1997
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Estates and Trusts Planning and Compliance
Business and Individual Tax Planning and Consulting
Partnership Planning and Compliance
S Corporation Planning and Compliance
C Corporation Planning and Compliance
Limited Liability Company Planning and Compliance
Real Estate Taxation
Multistate Taxation/Business Entities and Individuals
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Nonprofit and for profit organization board member and volunteer
Partner
Steven W. Northcote, CPA
Steve joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1977 and became a partner in 1983. Steve specializes in water districts, nonprofit entities and the affordable housing industry. In addition, he prepares individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Areas of Professional Expertise
• Accounting and Auditing
• California Special Districts
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Affordable Housing
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
United Way of San Diego, Past Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee
Scripps Ranch Old Pros, Past President and Chairman of the Board
American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Past Officer and Board Member
Special District Board Management Institute, Instructor and Seminar Speaker
Education
San Diego State University
B.S. in Accounting, 1975
AICPA
Certificate of Education Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing
AICPA
Certificate of Education Achievement in Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Partner
Michael S. Schreibman, CPA
Michael joined Leaf & Cole in 1983 and became partner in 1989. Michael specializes in real estate and small business taxation. In addition, he prepares individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Education
University of Cincinnati
Master of Science in Taxation, 1981
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1979
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Real Estate Taxation
Estate and Financial Planning
Partnership Planning and Compliance
S Corporation Planning and Compliance
C Corporation Planning and Compliance
Limited Liability Company Planning and Compliance
Estates and Trusts Planning and Compliance
High TechnologyDistributors including Domestic and Foreign, Entities
QuickBooks Professional Advisor
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
LaTonya M. Knox, CPA
LaTonya joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 2008 and became a partner in 2019. LaTonya serves the firm in the accounting and auditing practice and specializes in nonprofit organizations including audits conducted in accordance with OMB’s Uniform Guidance and the affordable housing industry. In addition, she prepares nonprofit information returns and partnership income tax returns.
Education:
University of San Diego
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 2003
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise:
Accounting and Auditing
OMB Uniform Guidance
Nonprofit Organizations
Affordable Housing Industry
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
PARTNER
Jenny Kikuno, CPA
Jenny joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1997 and was admitted as partner in 2019. Jenny serves the firm in the accounting and auditing practice and specializes in nonprofit entities and the affordable housing industry. In addition, she prepares partnership and nonprofit information returns.
Education:
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 1995
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise:
Accounting and Auditing
Single Audit
Nonprofit Organizations
Affordable Housing Industry
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Combined Health Agencies, Former Treasurer and Director
Burn Institute, Audit Committee
PARTNER
Jill A. Branch, CPA
Jill joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 2015 and became a partner in 2021. Jill specializes in nonprofit organizations including audits conducted in accordance with OMB’s Uniform Guidance, the affordable housing industry and employee benefit plan audits. In addition, she prepares nonprofit information returns, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Education:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville,
Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA), 2004
Arizona State University, Tempe,
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, 1994
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise:
Accounting and Auditing
OMB Uniform Guidance
Nonprofit Organizations
Affordable Housing Industry
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
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