Linda Ballesteros joined the firm in 1991 and is knowledgeable and experienced in many tax disciplines across numerous industries, Linda stands out as a leader of the firm's exempt organization tax compliance and consulting practice

Linda is a graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu and a current member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Tax and Not-for-Profit Sections of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Howard Hovivian has been in the profession for over 35 years and began his public accounting career at a Big 4 Firm. He received his B. S. Degree from California State University Long Beach and his Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University.

Howard has extensive experience in a wide range of areas including manufacturing, real estate, wholesale, distribution, services and retail as well as working with high net worth individuals to minimize income taxes through income tax and business planning. In addition, Howard has 5 years of experience as a controller of a $100 million distribution company in the late 1980’s. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Howard has served on various client boards of director and planning committees as well as not for profit organization boards. He has spoken at the USC Tax Institute as well as other organizations.

Howard grew up in South Central Los Angeles, and is currently residing in Porter Ranch. He is married and has raised four children.

Elliot Shell began his career with a Big 4 Firm and was a tax manager in their Los Angeles office.

Mr. Shell is a frequent speaker to business and professional groups on tax and estate planning topics. He has chaired the planning committees of the California CPA Education Foundation’s Estate Planning Conference and Advance Estate Planning Institute and has spoken at both conferences.

Mr. Shell served as vice chair of the board of Professional Business Bank in Pasadena, California, and also chaired the bank’s Audit Committee, until the bank was acquired in a merger transaction in November 2007.

He served for eight years as treasurer and a member of the board of directors of Pasadena Angels. He serves as secretary and a member of the board of directors of The Lactation Institute and Breastfeeding Clinic, a non-profit organization and he has been treasurer and a member of the board of trustees of a private elementary school in Encino, California.

Mr. Shell received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his MBA from the University of Southern California. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

He was an officer in the United States Army and served with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam.

James Balbin has over 30 years of professional experience. He previously worked with a Big 4 Firm. James graduated from California State University Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Business Administration. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

James performs audits and reviews of corporations, partnerships and LLC’s across various industries. James also performs forensic accounting work and litigation support. James has qualified and testified as an expert in both civil and criminal cases. In addition to testifying at trial, James has testified at preliminary hearings and in the sentencing phase.

He is a member of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles and board member of San Marino National Little League.

Yu has over fourteen years of public accounting experience including a national CPA firm. She provides auditing, review, compilation, accounting and general business consulting services. Her industry experience includes the United States Department of Defense Agencies, Peace Corps, oil & gas companies, financial institutions, not-for-profit companies, charter schools, real estate, and manufacturing companies.

Yu graduated Cum Laude from Western Maryland College, Westminster, Maryland with a B.A. in Business Administration, Economics and Accounting. In addition, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountant, and the International Honor Society for Economics.

Yu lives in Arcadia, CA with her husband and two children. Her personal interests include table tennis and traveling.

Craig has been in the profession over 40 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from California State University Los Angeles. Craig is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Craig is experienced in audit techniques, rebuilding and reconstructing accounting records and computerized accounting systems. He has been a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor for more than 14 years.

Areas of specialization include Not for Profit organizations and 401k plan audits. He has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Pasadena for 30 years. He has served in Kiwanis as an officer at the Club, Division and District levels. He was on the Kiwanis California-Nevada-Hawaii District Foundation board for six years and was the Kiwanis California-Nevada-Hawaii District Treasurer for three years.