JAMES H. ERNST, CPA, MS-Tax, CCAM
James Ernst 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 is a Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM).
DONNA L. SMITH, EA -Tax Manager
Donna 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 with James Ernst Accounting since 1998 and has worked in the tax area since 1985. She continues to increase her skills and abilities by actively participating in education and training courses.
Donna has resided in Santa Rosa with her husband since 1979 where they raised three daughters.
DIANE HART - Office Manager
Diane has been working for James Ernst Accounting since 1997. Diane is the Office Manager, her responsibilities include overseeing all departments, as well as managing the accounting for the firm.
Diane moved here in 1991 with her family from England. She has lived in Sonoma County for 18 years where she raised her two daughters.
CORINNE DIAZ - HOA Bookkeeping Supervisor
Corinne has been working for James Ernst Accounting for 10 years. She is currently the HOA Bookkeeping Supervisor. Corinne holds the responsibilities of managing the HOA bookkeeping department, new association setup and is the primary contact with property managers and members or various boards of directors.
Corinne was born and raised here in Sonoma County and received her AA degree in Business Admin from Santa Rosa Junior College. She lives here with her husband and two children, Emma Rose and Benjamin.
TRISHA L. CONTE - Staff Accountant
Trisha has been a staff accountant at the firm since June of 2006. Her responsibilities include preparing monthly financials, new client setup, staff support and training, as well as client relations.
Trisha has 4 years experience in the banking industry, and 9 years of accounting and finance experience.
MICHELLE REUTLINGER - Staff Accountant
Michelle is a Staff Accountant in our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department. She is primarily responsible for association member billing, payments, escrows and account balance information.
LIBBY ADAMS - Staff Accountant
Libby has been a staff accountant at JEA since May of 2007. She has 22 years of accounting experience including property management, AR, AP, Payroll, Financial Statements, Credit and Collections.
Libby was originally from Huntington Beach, CA. She moved to Santa Rosa after living and working in San Diego County for 18 years. She graduated from Edison High School, she then continued her education in the U.S. Navy where she received her Meteorology Certificate in 1982. After the U.S. Navy, Libby then took accounting and business courses at Mira Costa College in Oceanside, CA and also at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA.
IVY RIVAS - Audit Senior
Ivy has been part of JEA since 2007, working in our audit and review department. She has experience in banking, customer services, as well as loans.
Ivy attended Santa Rosa Junior College, and continued her education at both Empire Business College and University of Phoenix. While there she focused her studies on business and accounting. When not working Ivy likes to spend time with her family, she also enjoys hiking and ice skating.
RIC SCHNEIDER, CPA
Ric 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 - Staff Accountant
Timothy has been a Staff Accountant at JEA since August 2008. He has worked in the bookkeeping department preparing monthly and annual financial statements, and currently is transitioning into the Audit department.
Tim received his AA from Santa Rosa Junior College in June 2009 and is now working toward his bachelors degree at Sonoma State University in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.
JENNIFER M. GARRIGAN - Staff Accountant
Jennifer has been part of James Ernst Accounting since 2008 starting in Accounts Receivable for our Homeowners Association Department. After cross training in all areas Jennifer is currently responsible for the preparation of monthly financial statements and client relations.
Jennifer's experience and skills come from working with her family owned local business. Jennifer takes pride in "knowing our clients are receiving the best service available" she says.
Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and shopping.
BRETT CHAIREZ - Audit Senior
Brett is part of the audit and review department at JEA. He has nearly 10 years of experience in several business areas including cost development and contract negotiation in the aerospace industry, tax review with the IRS, individual tax preparation, and assurance and tax services for homeowners associations. Brett is also part of the California Society of CPAs.
He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he received his BS in Accounting and Finance with minors in English and Spanish. Brett is also currently a CPA candidate. When not working Brett is a Reserve Firefighter with the Healdsburg Fire Department. His other hobbies include hiking, surfing, climbing, and spending time outdoors with his family.
JON DOUGHTY - Staff Accountant
Jon has been working for James Ernst Accounting for over a year. He is currently a staff accountant in the HOA Bookkeeping department.
Jon graduated college from UCSB with a BA in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting, and a BA in Architectural History. He also has his pilots license and likes to go flying when he has time.
MICHELLE VOGE - Staff Accountant
Michelle has worked for the firm since 2008. She is currently a staff accountant in our HOA bookkeeping department. Michelle has over 15 years of financial and accounting experience.
She graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with an AA in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting, and is continuing her education at Sonoma State University where she is looking to achieve her BS in business. As well as going to SSU she is also studying to become an Enrolled Agent (EA).
TONI CARRILLO - Staff Accountant
Toni has been part of James Ernst Accounting since July of 2009. She is currently part of our Homeowners' Association Bookkeeping Department, where her responsibilities are working on HOA accounts receivable. She has 2 years of accounts receivable experience, as well as 8 years in collections and 2 years of legal experience.
Toni was born and raised in Sebastopol, CA and currently lives in Santa Rosa, CA.
SUSAN FAUS - Receptionist
Susan Faus is the receptionist here at James Ernst Accounting. She has 20+ years of receptionist and clerical experience.
Susan was born and raised in San Rafael, CA and has been living in Petaluma for the past 33 years. She graduated from San Rafael High School, attended the College of Marin and also Santa Rosa Junior College.
Rebecca is the newest employee at James Ernst Accounting. She is part of our HOA Bookkeeping Department. Her responsibilities include, client account maintenance, mail processing, HOA management and association relations, and escrows.
Rebecca was born in Seattle, Washington, but moved here 23 years ago with her family. She attended Rancho Cotate High School and Graduated in 2001.
