C&D llp - Certified Public Accountants & Advisors

DEC 2005
C&D llp Partners Chair Wine Industry Conference

NOV 2005
Legal expert keynote speaker at Bookkeepers Conference hosted by C&D llp

SEP 2005
Watkins speaks to Financial and Real Estate Professionals
at Separate Events sponsored by C&D llp

MAY 2005
C&D llp Partner attends 1031 Like-Kind Exchange Seminar

APR 2005
C&D llp Names New Partner


C&D llp Partners Chair Wine Industry Conference		DEC 2005 - Partners, Janet Olivera, CPA (left) and Debi Gioia, CPA, recently chaired the 2005 Central Coast Wine Industry Conference in San Luis Obispo. Organized by the California CPA Education Foundation, the conference was planned by a group of CPAs and industry professionals, including Olivera and Gioia, who work with wineries and vineyards from Monterey to Santa Barbara County. Presented on December 2nd, the conference program covered a range of topics that are important to the Central Coast wine industry, which included vineyard and wine industry trends, marketing and economics; benchmarking of performance indicators and other financial measures; a tax update; short and long-term succession planning; recent legislative issues and court rulings; and valuation of land, vineyards and wine making operations. Keynote speaker for the meeting was Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Brooks Firestone, who spoke about the proposed split of Santa Barbara County. “Our firm is recognized for its specialized expertise in the wine industry, as well as estate planning and administration and real estate matters,” noted Olivera “the continued growth of the wine industry along the Central Coast highlights the importance of keeping abreast of the many fast moving changes that affect those who are involved in it.”
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Legal Expert Keynote Speaker at Bookkeepers Conference hosted by C&D llp		NOV 2005 - In an informative presentation, Gary Bethel, Esq. (shown left with Steve Palmer, CPA) recently discussed current workers compensation issues at the bookkeepers conference sponsored by C&D llp at the Alisal Guest Ranch on Thursday, November 17. Bethel, who was the keynote speaker for C&D llp’s Bookkeepers Conference in November, is a partner in the law firm of Littler Mendelson, P.C., which has almost 400 attorneys in 29 offices nationwide. The event, which has been hosted by C&D llp for the past seven years, has become a must-attend favorite of bookkeeping professionals throughout the county. Attendees included bookkeepers from sole practitioners to a variety of area businesses. The program was hosted by Janet Olivera, CPA, a C&D partner, with Steve Palmer, CPA, one of the firm’s tax managers. “The scope of Mr. Bethel’s presentation and his engaging manner clearly conveyed his expertise,” noted Olivera, a C&D managing partner. Seconding her upbeat reaction, Partners Verva Enoch and Debi Gioia, observed, “the depth of his professional knowledge and his sense of humor always make for an interesting and enjoyable presentation. We try to have him back as often as possible.” Bethel’s comments covered a wide range of issues that are involved with workers compensation problems that has developed in recent years into a major concern for most businesses. His presentation covered workers compensation reforms, “The Bermuda Triangle” and other legal landmines that injured worker issues raise.
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Watkins speaks to Financial Professionals and Real Estate Professionals at Separate Events sponsored by C&D llp		SEP 2005 - Bill Watkins, Executive Director of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project was the keynote speaker at two events sponsored this fall by C&D llp, CPAs and Advisors. The UCSB Economic Forecast Project analyzes data from the national and tri county area and presents its findings at various events throughout the year. Sponsorship opportunities for the Economic Forecast Projects are available at their website. C&D llp hosted its annual luncheon for over 60 financial professionals at the Alisal Guest Ranch on September 22nd. The event has been hosted by the accounting firm since 1994, and has become a favorite of financial professionals throughout the county. Attendees included bankers, investment advisors, trust officers, attorneys and appraisers from leading firms both in Santa Ynez Valley and the Central Coast. Kathleen Campbell, CPA, a C&D partner, moderated the program, and Watkins’ presentation was preceded by two members of the C&D team, Verva Enoch, CPA, and Steve Palmer, CPA, who spoke on various topics, including the increasing regulations placed on CPA firms by the Internal Revenue Service. The new provisions of Circular 230 require tax professionals (both attorneys and accountants) to disclose the limited scope that written tax advice has in avoiding penalties that the IRS may assess. These new regulations were adopted as a result of abusive tax strategies being marketed to the public, but have wide ranging disclosure implications for all tax professionals. C&D’s annual Real Estate Professionals luncheon was held at the Alisal Guest Ranch on October 21st with over 60 real estate professionals in attendance. Debi Gioia, CPA and partner of C&D llp moderated the event. Watkins speeches covered current issues related to the outlook for the national and local economies. He indicated that despite the seriousness that the recent hurricanes have had on the United States, the total predicted economic effect of Katrina and Rita will affect annual growth rates downward only slightly. His expectation is the United States economy will grow at an adjusted rate of 3.8%. Housing prices appear to be continuing on a trend to annual growth of 10% for the current year in Santa Barbara County, although market times appear to be lengthening and some listing prices are being reduced. While this represents a cooling from double digit growth seen in recent years, Watkins sees no signs that indicate a large downward correction will occur. C&D llp, CPAs and Advisors, founded over 40 years ago, is the largest firm of certified public accountants in Santa Ynez Valley and one of the largest in Santa Barbara County. The firm’s staff of 25, which includes 14 certified public accountants, serves a widely diversified clientele that includes many individuals and companies from outside the local area
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C&D llp Partner attends 1031 Like-Kind Exchange Seminar		MAY 2005 - Verva Enoch, Partner at C&D llp attended at The 6th Annual Wachovia 1031 Like-Kind Exchange Seminar in Orlando Florida, in May 2005. With the rising prices of real property on the Central Coast over the last several years, understanding and applying the most recent taxation options for real property transactions have been important in preserving the long term appreciation in real property investments. Benefits available under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 allow deferral of gain on the sale of real property when a reinvestment in new investment property is appropriate. Enoch has been a partner at C&D since 1999. She joined the firm in 1990 as a tax accountant. She sat for the CPA exam in 1996, passing the national exam in the top 100 in the nation and the top 5 in California. Besides an expertise in real estate transactions, her other specialties include business valuations, financial statements for non-profit organizations, and taxation and planning for individual and closely held business entities. She served on the planning committee for the 2004 Real Estate Conference sponsored by the California Society of CPAs Education Foundation. C&D llp has a staff of 25 that includes 11 CPAs. The firm’s practice includes taxation, financial statement preparation and individual and business tax and financial planning. The firm’s specialties include wine industry accounting and taxation, including vineyards and wineries in new development and long term operations, agricultural ventures including equine and alpaca operations, estate and trust planning and taxation and personal business management. Since its inception over 40 years ago, C&D llp has grown to become the largest accounting firm in Santa Ynez Valley and one of the largest firms in Santa Barbara County.
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C&D llp Names New Partner		APR 2005 - C&D llp, Santa Ynez Valley’s largest accounting firm, has announced the addition of Janet Olivera, CPA to the firm’s partnership ranks. She joins Kathleen Campbell, Debi Gioia, Verva Enoch and Tammy Vogsland to help them with the responsibility for the continued management of the firm’s growth. Campbell and Gioia both became partners in 1997, Enoch was promoted from Tax Manager to partner in 1999. Vogsland joined C&D in 2001 and became a partner in 2003. Olivera joined C&D in 1987 as a staff accountant. During her tenure at the firm she received her CPA designation and served in many capacities – from staff accountant through to the position of Manager. In 1995 Janet left her full time position to move to Indonesia, returning each year during tax season. She returned from Indonesia in 2002 and has served as a Tax Manager for the firm since that time. Since she joined C&D, Olivera has demonstrated the depth of her tax knowledge, helping individuals and businesses reach their financial goals,” Campbell said, adding, “I look forward to her continued involvement in handling client matters, in addition to assuming her new duties as a partner.” Seconding Campbell’s observations, Enoch, commented, “We have all found Janet’s professional contributions to be invaluable and are anticipating her expanded role with the firm.” Vogsland noted, “Janet’s broad experience has brought additional depth and expertise to the firm that has been very helpful in serving our clients. Her specialties include agricultural accounting and taxation, both for equine operations and winery and vineyard enterprises.” Olivera attended the University of South Dakota graduating in 1975 with a BS in Business Management. Before joining C&D, she worked locally in public accounting for over nine years. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs. She makes her home in Los Alamos, participating in community services efforts, including the upcoming Relay for Life and the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society.

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