Maureen O’Gara-Adford is a professional who has over 32 years of experience in both the public sector as well as the private sector of accounting. This experience working on both sides of the industry enables her to offer consulting services to a variety of businesses and to improve their operations, internal controls and overall profitability.
Specializations include manufacturing, construction, software development, distributorships, automobile and motorcycle dealerships, restaurants and other specialized industries. Her approach to examining problems and determining the proper course of action is a definite strength to any organization.
Maureen graduated from California State University Northridge, joined gish SEIDEN LLP in 1986, and became Partner in 1999. Maureen became Managing Partner in 2006, making her the first female to hold the position in the firm’s history.
Maureen is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the CSUN Alumni Association.
In her free time, Maureen enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Awards:
• 2011 San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Trusted Advisors Award
• 2013 San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Trusted Advisors Award
• 2015 San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Trusted Advisors Award
• 2015 Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship” Award
Client Specialization:
• Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
• Entrepreneurs
• Successful Individuals & Families
Email: mogara@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 224
Martin D. Seiden possesses a high level of technical expertise as the partner in charge of taxation standards for our firm. His 40+ year experience in the areas of small business accounting, income taxes, auditing, fiduciary accounting and estate planning is extensive. Marty continues the firm’s commitment to help clients select the best possible option available to them for minimizing taxes and maximizing results.
A 1975 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Marty became a Certified Public Accountant in 1977. Marty joined our firm in 1978 and became Partner in 1986.
Marty is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Woodland Hills Tax and Estate Planning Council, and the ProVisors Professionals Networking Group. He has also been involved in the leadership of the California Society of CPAs in the CalCPA State and Chapter Board of Directors and as Chapter Vice-President.
Marty is a sports fan and when he’s not rooting for the LA Dodgers, LA Kings, and Cal Bears, he enjoys working out.
Awards:
• 2012 San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Trusted Advisors Award
• 2014 CalCPA Los Angeles Chapter Lifetime Service Award
Client Specialization:
• Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
• Successful Individuals and Families
• Estates & Trusts
Email: mseiden@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 223
As both a CPA and gish SEIDEN partner, Stan Arutti focuses on evaluating and improving the efficiency within the accounting departments of mid- to small-size businesses. With over 16 years of both public and private accounting experience, Stan actively consults businesses and successful individuals with a variety of services including tax planning and accounting.
Stan is committed to assessing each of his clients both, businesses and individuals, so that he can successfully provide them with the best and most practical solutions. In addition to accounting, Stan specializes in providing business and personal tax strategies.
Stan graduated from University of California, Riverside with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Stan also manages the Peer Review process within the firm, which is an examination of the quality of the financial work of the firm.
Outside of the office, Stan is an avid chess player (he has won several chess tournaments). He also likes traveling, 80s music, and spending time with his wife and three children.
Awards:
• 2013 San Fernando Valley’s Trusted Advisors Award
• 2015 San Fernando Valley’s Trusted Advisors Award
Client Specialization:
• Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
• Start-Ups
• Entrepreneurs
Email: sarutti@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 228
As a Partner and CPA at gish SEIDEN, Darryl Gross focuses on tax planning and business advisory services for mid- to small-size businesses, as well as successful individuals and families. Darryl is also known for his expertise in the financial accounting arena. His strategic planning techniques ensure that client needs are met and exceeded.
With over 10 years of experience in both public and private accounting, Darryl continues to expand his knowledge of tax planning and business consulting into a variety of industries. Darryl has a concentration of clients in the auto dealership, manufacturing and restaurant industries. His commitment and dedication are valuable assets to gish SEIDEN’s business practices, while his outgoing personality allows him to bring a personable and memorable experience to his clientele.
As a Los Angeles native, Darryl attended the University of California Santa Barbara and graduated with a degree in Economics with an emphasis in Accounting. Darryl is a member of the California Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, ProVisors and is currently the chair of the Firm’s Marketing Committee.
Darryl is a frequent guest speaker at Cal Poly Pomona’s Restaurant Management course. Outside the office, Darryl enjoys running, having completed more than five half-marathons and numerous 5K and 10K runs. He is a huge fan of the Lakers, Dodgers and Kansas City Chiefs. He is happily married and enjoys spending time with his family.
Awards:
• 2018 San Fernando Valley’s Trusted Advisors Award
Client Specialization:
• Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
• Entrepreneurs
• Start-Ups
Email: dgross@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 218
Christy joined gish SEIDEN LLP in 2017, bringing over a decade of experience in both audit and tax. As an auditor, Christy focuses on managing engagements and developing staff. Christy also has comprehensive experience in Federal and multi-state tax compliance, tax planning and consulting for high net worth individuals, corporations, tiered partnerships, trusts, and closely held businesses. Throughout her career, she has been able to service the various needs of her diverse clientele.
Christy has had the pleasure of working with clients in a variety of industries including Real Estate, Manufacturing, Media, Advertising, and Professional Services. Christy takes pride in building solid relationships with her clients and truly enjoys helping them strategically position themselves to attain their goals.
Christy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. She is a member of the California Society of CPAs as well as the American Institute of CPAs. Christy is also an involved member of the firm’s Auditing and Accounting Committee, which is responsible for the Firm’s learning and development initiatives, establishing internal best practices as well as broadcasting critical and timely accounting updates to firm members.
Outside of the office, Christy likes to spend time with family and her golden retriever.
Client Specialization:
• Manufacturing
• Real Estate
• Closely Held Businesses
Email: ckasper@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 215
Lynnette Shidner has considerable experience in analyzing the operations of small to medium sized businesses, which allows her to offer clients crucial insight into the business environment. This knowledge has proven invaluable in assisting business owners with making operational decisions and improving profitability. She specializes in working with clients and their attorneys regarding alternatives for business succession planning and stockholder agreements.
Lynnette graduated from California State University, Northridge, joined the firm in 1985 and became partner in 1993, making her the first female partner in the firm’s history. Lynnette is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, California Society of Certified Public Accountants, CSUN Alumni Association and a Community Representative for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties where she served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2011 to 2016.
Outside of the office, Lynnette enjoys spending time with her family and watching NASCAR races.
Awards
– 2013 San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s “Women in Business” Award
– 2018 Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties Community Partner of the Year
Email: lshidner@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 222
Jessica Sprague is a Tax Director in the Firm’s tax practice. Jessica has more than 15 years of experience providing business tax planning strategies and tax compliance services for clients operating in a wide variety of industries.
Jessica has tremendous and deep expertise in a multitude of business taxation areas including: partnerships, corporations, multi-state, and state and local. Jessica takes the time to understand her client’s industry and familiarize herself with her clients’ needs, so that she can capitalize on opportunities to minimize tax liability and maximize value. She works with a diverse range of clients ranging from small- and mid-sized businesses to large multi-national companies. Jessica builds solid relationships with her clients and enjoys helping them strategically position themselves to attain their goals.
Jessica is the Chair of the Firm’s Tax Committee, which is responsible for the Firm’s learning and development initiatives, establishing internal best practices, and disseminating critical and timely tax updates to Firm members.
Jessica is an alumna of University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a B.A. in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting. She also holds a Master’s in Business Taxation from the University of Southern California. Jessica is a California licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and her professional affiliations include memberships in the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Outside the office, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and giving back to the community. She currently serves on the executive board of her children’s elementary school.
Client Specialization:
• Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
• Flow-thru entities
• State and local
Email: jsprague@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 219
Martin Eisenberg has over 25 years of experience providing tax compliance, planning, and consulting services to high-net worth individuals, closely held businesses, and family offices. Martin focuses on how business decisions impact business owners and he identifies planning opportunities to achieve tax savings including: Tax credits/incentive programs, choice of entity, and accounting methods. He has represented executors and trustees on estate and trust tax compliance and planning. Martin has extensive experience with foreign trusts and assisted clients with undisclosed foreign accounts and assets under the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program.
Martin graduated from Pace University in New York with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and is licensed as a CPA in California and New York State.
Martin has spent some of his free time volunteering building homes for Habitat for Humanity of the greater Los Angeles area. When not working, Martin enjoys hiking, casual biking, and photography.
Email: meisenberg@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 252
Gabriel Aguilera is a tax and accounting professional with over 30 years of extensive experience and knowledge in closely held companies, pass-through entities, and high net worth individuals in a variety of industries. He acts as a trusted advisor in reviewing business and individual returns.
Gabriel graduated from California State University Northridge and holds a bachelor’s degree in in professional accountancy. He then went on to receive his masters in tax from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA. Gabriel is a member of the firm’s tax committee. Additionally, he holds a membership with the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CALCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
When not working, Gabriel spends some of his free time serving as a deacon at his church. He also enjoys going on cruises, camping, and going to Disneyland with his family.
Email: gaguilera@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 239
Since 2008, Allison has focused on accounting and tax services for small to mid-sized businesses, state nexus and state income tax filing requirements, individual income taxes, and tax planning for individuals and businesses. She is also in charge of gish SEIDEN’s mentoring program.
A graduate of California State University, Northridge, Allison is also a member of the California Society of CPAs.
Allison loves cooking and spending time outdoors, especially with her family.
Email: ablackmon@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 221
As a tax manager at gish SEIDEN, Sargis focuses on preparing and reviewing high level individual income tax returns and business income tax returns (C corps, S corps, Partnerships) as well as Trusts, Estates, and Gift Tax Returns. Sargis has been a CPA for 14 years and has worked in public accounting for more than 20. With this vast amount of experience, he has been able to service the various needs of his diverse clientele. In addition to his tax expertise, Sargis is fluent in four languages – English, German, Assyrian, and Farsi.
Sargis joined gish SEIDEN in 2016 with an estate and trust specialty. He has further established his knowledge and has become well versed in handling the various complexities of this niche. He is currently on the firm’s Estate and Trust Committee. Additionally, Sargis reviews all compliance filings, mentors and supervises staff, and is in direct communication with all his clients. Throughout his career, Sargis has obtained comprehensive experience working with clients in various industries; some include: Professional Services, Retail Sales, and Real Estate among many others. His attentiveness and dedication to the work has helped him develop a solid trust between him and his clients.
Sargis graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Sargis is also a member of the California Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, ProVisors, and serves on the board of the San Fernando Valley Estate Planning Council.
When he’s not at the office, Sargis enjoys skiing, cross country running, volleyball, and watching the latest movies.
Client Specialization:
• Trust and Estate
• Gift Tax Returns
• Business/Individual Tax Returns
Email: sisavi@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 217
Ayk has more than 21 years in the financial industry and has worked with gish SEIDEN for 17 of those years. He works with clients on individual and business income tax returns, tax compliance, tax planning, tax controversy, QuickBooks setup and troubleshooting.
Ayk holds an Accounting degree from California State University, Northridge. He is a member of the California Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. Additionally, Ayk volunteers with various nonprofit organizations in the greater Los Angeles area and provides accounting and consulting services.
While not at work, Ayk plays basketball and likes to spend time with his family.
Email: atasci@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 220
Katelyn Schmidt joined gish SEIDEN, LLP in 2021 possessing over 15 years of experience in a variety of industries. She mainly focuses her concentrations in manufacturing, healthcare, real estate, advertising, banking and insurance. She manages audits, reviews, compilations and agreed upon procedures to meet each client’s unique needs. Katelyn strives to provide quality service to clients engaged in a variety of complex assurance engagements.
Katelyn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from West Virginia University followed by her Masters degree in Business Administration from Marshall University. Currently she is a member of the California Society of CPAs, as well as the American Institute of CPAs. Additionally, she is a member of the firm’s Auditing and Accounting Committee, which is responsible for the firm’s learning and development initiatives, establishing internal best practices as well as broadcasting critical and timely accounting updates to firm members.
Outside of the office, Katelyn indulges in traveling abroad, playing piano, and spending time with family.
Maureen Patag joined gish SEIDEN LLP in June of 2021, bringing in over 8 years of experience in tax in a variety of industries. Her main expertise lies within non-profit organizations, partnerships, S-corporations, and individuals. She acts as a trusted advisor in handling and preparing tax returns. Maureen acts as liaison between the partner and the client, communicating information and making inquiries.
Maureen graduated from California State University, Long Beach and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Maureen is a member of the firm’s entertainment committee. Additionally, she holds a membership with the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CALCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
When not working, Maureen has spent some of her free time working with the children’s ministry at her church. She also enjoys cycling, singing, playing instruments, gardening, and spending time with her husband.
Email: mpatag@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 275
Leanna Preston is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 20 years of accounting experience. She focuses in trust, business, and individual accounting, financial statement analysis, and problem-solving assistance.
Leanna graduated in 2008 from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
Outside of work, Leanna loves to spend time with family, friends, and her dogs. Additionally, she enjoys gardening, solving puzzles, and traveling near forests and beaches.
Sagirah joined gish in 2019 bringing in over 9 years of experience in tax in a variety of industries. She primarily works and specializes in business entity returns, entertainment, and real estate, amongst many others. As her role as Senior accountant, she does tax planning, bookkeeping, tax returns, and personal returns. Sagirah serves as a client contact and as an additional resource for clients to connect with. She is extremely versatile and is committed to delivering tax services that meet each client’s unique objectives.
Sagirah received her bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany (Albany, NY), graduating Magna Cum Laude, and also received her master’s degree from Hunter College (New York, NY). She is currently a member of the firm’s entertainment committee. Additionally, she is part of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Inc. NY chapter.
Sagirah has spent some of her free time volunteering as part of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Inc. Athens-Westmont Section where she sits on the Executive Board of her section, serving as the Treasurer. She also sits on the Executive Board of the Southern California Area, as the Young Adult VP. At the National level, she also sits on the Young Adult Committee. Additionally, Sagirah serves as the Team Captain for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk held at Central Park in NYC.
When not working, Sagirah enjoys reading, writing, playing piano, knitting and crocheting, and spoken word poetry.
Email: slayne@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 244
Jason is a senior accountant with over five years of experience in tax. Joining gish SEIDEN in October of 2022, his role includes preparing tax returns, meeting client deadlines, and overall managing tax work. Jason is exceedingly skilled in ensuring that each client is receiving fantastic client service by having excellent communication skills.
Jason received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting during a combined-degree program at the University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida), graduating Cum Laude and acquiring a concentration in taxation.
Outside of the office, Jason embraces traveling to Japan, playing the piano, and throwing strikes at the bowling alley.
Christy Shepard is a senior tax accountant with over thirteen years of experience. In December of 2022, she joined gish SEIDEN and is responsible for ensuring that clients are in compliance with tax laws and regulations, as well as minimizing tax liabilities. Christy is proficient preparing tax returns for individuals, businesses, and trusts.
Christy received her bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Texas whilst participating in extra curriculars such as Beta Alpha Psi and their Accounting Society.
When she’s not working, Christy indulges in reading, canvas painting, and catching the occasional concert or play.
Rachael joined Gish in 2023, bringing in over 14 years of experience in both public and private accounting. Her expertise includes income tax return and financial statement preparation as well as small business support consisting of year-end general ledger reviews, monthly closings, budget preparations, bank reconciliations, and adjusting journal entries. Her passion for accounting is built upon her dedication to client relationships and helping businesses achieve financial success.
Rachael graduated from the University of Maryland University College (Adelphi, MD) with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Prior to her bachelor’s program, she received her associate’s degree in general studies from Anne Arundel Community College (Arnold, MD).
When not working, Rachael enjoys traveling, cooking, and puzzling.
Email: rmcgann@gishseiden.com
Phone: (301)-801-3232
With over 30 years of experience, her areas of special expertise spread across Accounting, Financial Analysis, Process Development, Human Resources Management, Employee Recruiting, Benefits Administration, and Business/Security Risk Mitigation. After spending 28 years with RBZ, LLP (merged into Armanino, LLP in 2015) as a controller, a firm administrator, and then as director, she then moved on to gish in 2016.
As a finance and operations director, Carolyn optimizes processes to drive sustained business growth and success. As a highly analytical leader, she creates solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency and profitability by building environments of collaboration and alignment to centralize information across an organization. She is an innovative problem solver who excels in research, analytics and performance optimization. Carolyn is able to integrate information from disparate sources in order to provide solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and bottom-line results.
As a skilled communicator and trusted advisor, Carolyn is committed to building and developing top performing team members; working with all parties – internal and external – to build consensus and partnership in meeting gish SEIDEN’s objectives.
Email: chansen@gishseiden.com
Phone: (818)-854-6100 ext. 227