CALIBER ACCOUNTING GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Adam Nash is a Senior Accountant at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. He is experienced in the areas of individual, partnership and corporate tax planning and compliance and multi-state taxation of business entities. He serves clients in various industries including professional services, manufacturing, real estate, and software.
Mr. Nash graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Biblical Studies with a concentration in Finance from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul. He is currently working towards a Master in Accounting degree from the University of Minnesota, Mankato.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, entertaining his dogs, and gardening.
Job Titles:
- Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Partner - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
- Treasurer for the Scaife Scholarship Alumni Association
Alana Maxwell is a Partner in Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP.
She has experience in the following areas: corporate, partnership, and individual income tax planning and compliance, federal, multi-state and international tax research, communication with the IRS and state taxing authorities, private letter ruling requests, corporate reorganizations, and choice of entity considerations. Mrs. Maxwell serves clients in various industries, including construction, real estate, agriculture, engineering, software, hospitality, and professional services. Before joining Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP in 2008, Mrs. Maxwell was with the regional accounting firm of Barbich Longcrier Hooper & King.
Mrs. Maxwell graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and has also earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Other academic honors earned and memberships held by Mrs. Maxwell include the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key, California Society of Certified Public Accountants Certificate of Achievement, Golden Key National Honor Society and Beta Gamma Sigma.
Mrs. Maxwell is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Mrs. Maxwell heads up the recruiting efforts for the firm by maintaining relationships with Cal Poly accounting students and faculty by attending various annual Cal Poly events. Mrs. Maxwell participated in a focus group with Cal Poly Alumni aimed at preserving the university's competitive edge in obtaining the best students, faculty, and resources by developing effective message for communicating the benefits of Cal Poly's unique learn-by-doing education.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Alexandra Ashford is a Manager at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. She has experience in the areas of individual, partnership, corporate, and trust tax planning and compliance. She serves clients in various industries including professional services, real estate, and manufacturing.
Ms. Ashford graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. Her academic memberships include the Cal Poly Society of Accountants, Beta Alpha Psi, and Beta Gamma Sigma.
Ms. Ashford is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Outside of work, Ms. Ashford enjoys reading, traveling, and singing with a local community group.
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Amanda Weng is a Senior Accountant at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. She has experience in the areas of individual, partnership, corporate, and trust tax planning and compliance in addition to multi-state taxation of business entities. She serves clients in various industries including professional services, real estate, and manufacturing.
Ms. Weng graduated from National Chengchi University in Taiwan with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and has also earned a Master of Science in Accounting from University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is also pursuing a Master of Business Taxation degree from University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Ms. Weng currently lives in Minnesota, and she loves jogging and hiking during her free time.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Annette Kolar is a manager at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP who has been with the firm for over 14 years. She appreciates the collaborative, challenging, and ever-changing nature of a career in tax advisory services and strives to continuously learn to develop her expertise to align with the shifting needs of her specific clients. She has gained experience supporting a variety of industries, specializing in providing tax compliance, planning, and consulting services to closely held multi-state manufacturing and online retail industries and high net-worth individuals.
Mrs. Kolar graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and a minor in Economics from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Her academic honors include the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key Award and the Orfalea College of Business Academic Excellence Award.
Outside of work, Annette and her husband spend their time hiking, travelling, exploring the beautiful Southern California coast where they reside, and trying to keep up with their highly energetic young kids.
Beth Owen is a Partner with Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
Her specific area of focus is accounting and auditing, which includes auditing, reviewing and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, and preparing financial statements and the related disclosures. She has experience in the areas of agriculture, construction, software companies, light manufacturing, and various service providers.
Ms. Owen graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Before joining Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Ms. Owen worked at the regional accounting firm of Barbich Longcrier Hooper & King. Prior to working in public accounting, she worked for the accounting department of the County of Santa Barbara. She also worked in the property management industry before making her career change to the accounting profession.
She is an active member of the Central Coast Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, including completing the CalCPA Emerging Leaders program, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and holds the Not-for-profit Certificate II issued by the AICPA.
Ms. Owen enjoys hiking, fitness, and spending time with her husband, daughter, family, and friends.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Partner - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Brianna Cooper is a Partner at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP.
Mrs. Cooper is experienced in the areas of individual, trust, estate, non-profit, partnership and corporate income tax compliance and planning. She is also proficient in providing tax services to multi-state business entities. She is experienced in communications with the IRS and state taxing authorities. She serves clients in various industries including professional services, hospitality, construction, real estate, agriculture, and software. Before joining Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP in 2016, Mrs. Cooper was with the national accounting firm of RSM US, LLP.
Mrs. Cooper graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from North Central College in Naperville, IL. Her academic honors include being named Outstanding Accounting Major, Outstanding Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management Major and the Wall Street Journal Award, given to a student who has upheld the highest standards of academic achievement and demonstrated significant participation and leadership in extracurricular activities and campus life.
In 2012, Mrs. Cooper earned a Masters of Science degree in Taxation from DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business in Chicago, IL.
Mrs. Cooper is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the Minnesota Society of CPAs (MNCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Mrs. Cooper lives in Minnesota where she enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two children.
Job Titles:
- Staff Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax. LLP
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Elizabeth Boyajian is a Senior Manager with Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
Her specific area of focus is accounting and auditing, which includes auditing, reviewing and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, and preparing financial statements and the related disclosures. She has experience in the areas of not-for-profits, technology, and consumer goods (manufacturing).
Ms. Boyajian graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business Finance & Appraisal and a Masters of Science in Financial Accounting from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
Before joining Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Ms. Boyajian worked in public accounting for Grant Thornton, LLP in San Francisco, CA.
She is a member of the Central Coast Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She holds the Not-for-Profit Certificate I issued by the AICPA.
Ms. Boyajian enjoys spending time with her friends, fitness, beer tasting, trying new foods, TV show marathons, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Financial Accounting Instructor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Partner Emeritus - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Eric Schwefler is a Partner Emeritus of Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. His specific areas of expertise include complying with corporate, individual, trust, and partnership tax law; planning tax strategies on an international, multistate, and local basis; researching complex tax issues; planning for efficient estate tax strategies; consulting on succession planning; analyzing transactional structure for business formation and reorganization; and consulting on business merger, acquisition and sale matters. Primary clients served include large international and multistate corporations, closely‑held entities, and financially diversified individuals. Although the clients served operated in a variety of industries, the majority operated in the agricultural, real estate, hospitality, professional services, and high technology software and manufacturing industries. Before forming Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP, Mr. Schwefler spent many years with both a regional accounting firm and an international accounting firm.
Mr. Schwefler has been a financial accounting instructor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Additionally, he has had numerous accounting and tax articles published in professional journals and newspapers.
Job Titles:
- Accountant Intern - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Garret Connelly is a Supervisor at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. He is experienced in the areas of individual, partnership, and corporate tax planning and compliance in addition to multi-state taxation for businesses. He serves clients in various industries including professional services, real estate, manufacturing, and construction.
Mr. Connelly graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from AIB College of Business, Des Moines, Iowa.
He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and a member of the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA).
He tries to spend much of his free time outside either fishing, hunting, exploring state/national parks, or exercising his dog.
Job Titles:
- ABV, CFF / Partner
- Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Gary Jensen is a Partner in Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
Mr. Jensen's specializes in the accounting and auditing area. His experience includes a wide range of services covering many different industries. He performs auditing and other attest services, including auditing, reviewing and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, preparing financial statements and the related disclosures, compliance and reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and consulting on accounting and auditing related issues. He also performs business valuations, litigation support analysis, and quality control reviews under the AICPA Peer Review Program.
In addition to being a licensed CPA, Mr. Jensen is Accredited in Business Valuations (ABV) and is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) by the AICPA. Mr. Jensen is responsible for the Firm's Business Valuation practice. He performs business valuations for various types of entities, including closely held corporations, partnerships, limited family partnerships, limited liability companies and proprietorships.
Before forming Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Mr. Jensen was a partner with the regional accounting firm of Barbich Longcrier Hooper & King, where he also served as the President of the Alliance Appraisal Company. Mr. Jensen started his accounting career at the national accounting firm of Fox & Company.
Mr. Jensen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State University, Bakersfield.
Mr. Jensen is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a reviewer under the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Peer Review Program and is currently serving on the California Society of Certified Public Accountants Peer Review Committee which oversees the State's peer review process.
Mr. Jensen enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Haoying Ke is a Senior Accountant at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. He is experienced in the areas of individual, partnership and corporate tax planning and compliance and multi-state taxation of business entities. He serves clients in various industries including professional services, manufacturing, real estate, and software.
Izzy Keller is a Senior Accountant with Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
His specific area of focus is accounting and auditing, which includes auditing, reviewing and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, and preparing financial statements and the related disclosures. He has experience in the areas of consumer goods, non-profits, employee benefit plans, construction, physical therapy, insurance, and various service industries.
Mr. Keller graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he also obtained his Master's of Science in Accountancy.
Before joining Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Mr. Keller worked for a local Central Coast based technology company as a business development representative where he worked on outbound marketing and scheduling.
Mr. Keller enjoys walks with his dog, traveling, and is an avid follower of soccer.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Partner - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Jody Marsh is a Partner in Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP.
Mrs. Marsh's areas of expertise include tax compliance, planning, and research and consulting for the real estate, agricultural, manufacturing, and professional services industries, multi-state taxation of business entities and individuals, and trust and estate tax compliance and planning. She has extensive experience in tax research and in representing clients before the taxing authorities. Estate planning services have included consulting and the use of trusts for passing down businesses and family wealth to the next generation in the most tax-efficient manner. Mrs. Marsh also represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, including preparation of complex financial forecasts, assistance with the due diligence process and document review, and related tax compliance.
Mrs. Marsh began her accounting career in the state of Colorado. She has co-authored a number of textbooks for the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants' Continuing Education program, including Tax Year in Review and Planning, Tax Planning with LLCs and LLPs, and Advanced Planning and Case Studies for Partnerships and LLPs. Before forming Caliber Accounting & Tax in 2008, Mrs. Marsh worked with a local firm for several years.
Mrs. Marsh graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition, in 2012 she earned her Masters of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Mrs. Marsh is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.
She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Central Coast Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, for which she has previously served as Secretary, and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Mrs. Marsh lives in Minnesota, where she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
- Treasurer of CCMOM
Katie Madonna is a Senior Accountant at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. Her specific areas of expertise include small business consulting, trust accounting and QuickBooks. She serves clients in various industries, including professional services, construction and real estate.
Mrs. Madonna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Finance and a minor in Economics from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
She has previously served as the treasurer for Softec, the Central Coast Software and Technology Association. Mrs. Madonna is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mrs. Madonna is currently the treasurer of CCMOM, Central Coast Moms of Multiples and previously served as the treasurer for Softec, the Central Coast Software and Technology Association.
Mrs. Madonna enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and kids.
Kayla King is a Senior Accountant with Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
Her specific area of focus is accounting and auditing, which includes auditing, reviewing and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, and preparing financial statements and the related disclosures. She has experience in the areas of agriculture, non-profits, employee benefit plans, construction, consumer goods, manufacturing, and various service industries.
Ms. King graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis in accounting, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo before attending San Diego State University, where she obtained her Masters of Science in Financial Accounting.
Before joining Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Ms. King worked for a local Central Coast based public accounting firm where she gained experience in both attestation and tax engagements.
She is a member of the Central Coast Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ms. King enjoys hiking, cooking, watching baseball, and spending time with friends and family.
Kim Spiller is a partner in Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
Ms. Spiller's specific areas of expertise are related to accounting and auditing, including auditing, reviewing, and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, preparing financial statements and the related disclosures, compliance and reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, preparation of corporate income tax provisions, and consulting on accounting and auditing related issues. Although the clients served operate in a variety of industries, she has extensive experience in the areas of high technology, manufacturing, service providers, real estate, construction, not-for-profits, and agriculture. Ms. Spiller is responsible for the employee benefit plan and 401k audit practice for the firm. She is also responsible for the quality control of the accounting and auditing services for the firm.
Before forming Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Ms. Spiller was with the regional accounting firm of Barbich Longcrier Hooper & King in San Luis Obispo and the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young in San Diego.
Ms. Spiller graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she was the valedictorian of her graduating class. Other academic honors earned by Ms. Spiller include the Alpha Lambda Delta Award and Mortar Board Award for highest GPA of UCSB graduating class, Golden Key National Honor Society, UCSB Robert Swenson Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement and Service, Channel Counties Chapter of the California Society of CPAs Achievement Award, UCSB Accounting Faculty Achievement Award, National Society of Accountants Scholarship Award, Head Teaching Assistant for the UCSB Accounting Program, and the UCSB Accounting Alumni Student Award.
Ms. Spiller is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and is a Past-President of the Central Coast Chapter. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), belongs to the AICPA Not-for-Profit Section, and holds the Not-for-profit Certificate II issued by the AICPA. Ms. Spiller serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of CAPSLO (Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo).
As a native of San Luis Obispo, Ms. Spiller enjoys spending time on the beautiful Central Coast with her husband and children.
Job Titles:
- Staff Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax. LLP
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner - Caliber Accounting & Tax, . LLP
Lisa Modglin is a Partner at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. She is experienced in the areas of individual, partnership and corporate tax planning and compliance and multi-state taxation of business entities. She serves clients in various industries including professional services, high net worth families, real estate, and software. Prior to joining Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP in 2020, Ms. Modglin was with the Denver based accounting firm of ACM, LLP and the national accounting firm of BDO USA.
Ms. Modglin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is currently working on completing a Master's in Business Taxation from the University of Southern California. Ms. Modglin is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California and Colorado. She is a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs (COCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Ms. Modglin serves on the Board of the Boulder County Estate Planning Council.
She enjoys spending her free time trail running, gardening, visiting family in California, and spending time with her wife, dog and cat.
Job Titles:
- Accountant Intern - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Megan Grater is a Manager at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. She is experienced in the areas of partnership, corporate, trust, estate, and individual tax planning and compliance. She serves clients in various industries including professional services, real estate, agriculture, manufacturing, and software.
Ms. Grater graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree from Western Washington University and with a Master of Science in Accounting degree with a specialization in Taxation from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Her academic membership includes the Western Washington University Honors Program, Beta Alpha Psi, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and Money Sense. She is also a Junior Achievement of Washington trained volunteer.
Outside of work, Ms. Grater enjoys reading, swimming, movie watching, and baking.
Job Titles:
- Staff Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Accountant Intern - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Business Manager - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Ryan Curran is a Senior Accountant at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. He is experienced in the areas of individual, partnership and corporate tax planning and compliance and multi-state taxation of business entities. He serves clients in various industries including professional services, manufacturing, real estate, and software.
Mr. Curran graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with a public accounting concentration from Fort Hays State University.
Outside of work, Ryan enjoys reading, playing tabletop games, and playing guitar.
Job Titles:
- Accountant Intern - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- System Administrator - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant Intern
Job Titles:
- Staff Accountant - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager - Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP
Valarie Koos is a Manager at Caliber Accounting and Tax, LLP. Her specific areas of expertise include complying with corporate, individual, trust, and partnership tax law; planning tax strategies on an international, multistate, and local basis; researching complex tax issues; representing clients on audits by the IRSand various state taxing authorities; preparation of required income tax provisions and required disclosures for the financial statements for private entities; and consulting on accounting and auditing related issues. Primary clients served include large international and multistate corporations, closely‑held entities, and financially diversified individuals. Although the clients served operated in a variety of industries, the majority operated in the software, medical, telecommunications, and high technology manufacturing industries.
Ms. Koos graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
She currently serves as a member of the music education committee for the San Luis Obispo Symphony. She has previously served on the Board of Directors of the San Luis Obispo Symphony and on the Board of Directors of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival. She is a member of the California State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ms. Koos enjoys traveling and playing violin with various community groups.
Yadira Lobato is a Senior Accountant with Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP.
Her specific area of focus is accounting and auditing, which includes auditing, reviewing and compiling all aspects of financial statements, audit planning and risk assessment procedures, internal control analysis, and preparing financial statements and the related disclosures. She has experience in the areas of agriculture, non-profits, employee benefit plans, construction, aviation, consumer goods, manufacturing, and various service industries.
Ms. Lobato graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis in accounting, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Before joining Caliber Audit & Attest, LLP, Ms. Lobato worked for a Central Coast luxury car dealership where she gained experience in monitoring internal compliance, assisting with internal audits, performing economic analysis, and assisting with monthly financial statement close as the controller's assistant.
Ms. Lobato enjoys fitness, attending sporting events, and spending time with friends and family.