Partner
Steven W. Northcote, CPA
Steve joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1977 and became a partner in 1983. Steve serves the firm as the head of the auditing practice and specializes in water districts, nonprofit entities and the affordable housing industry. In addition, he prepares individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns. He has served as managing partner of the firm since 1997.
Education
San Diego State University
B.S. in Accounting, 1975
AICPA
Certificate of Education Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing
AICPA
Certificate of Education Achievement in Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
• Accounting and Auditing
• California Special Districts
• Nonprofit Entities
• Affordable Housing
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
United Way of San Diego, Past Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee
Combined Health Agencies, Past Chairman of the Board and Board Member
Scripps Ranch Old Pros, Past President and Chairman of the Board
American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Past Officer and Board Member
Special District Board Management Institute, Instructor and Seminar Speaker
Partner
Michael S. Schreibman, CPA
Michael joined Leaf & Cole in 1983 and has served as tax partner of the firm since 1989. Michael serves the Firm as the director of the tax practice and specializes in real estate and small business taxation. In addition, he prepares individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Education
University of Cincinnati
Master of Science in Taxation, 1981
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1979
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Real Estate Taxation
Estate and Financial Planning
Partnerships
S-Corporations
Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Estates and Trusts
High Technology
Distributors including Domestic and Foreign, Entities
QuickBooks Professional Advisor
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
Michael J. Zizzi, CPA
Mike joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1989 and was admitted as partner in 1998. Mike serves the firm in the accounting and auditing practice and specializes in water districts, nonprofit entities, the affordable housing industry and small businesses. In addition, he prepares individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Education
California Polytechnic University,
San Luis Obispo
BSBA, 1986
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Accounting and Auditing
Individual and Small Business Taxation Consultant
Single Audit
Nonprofit Organizations
Water Districts
Affordable Housing Industry
Implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statements
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Association of California Water Agencies, Associate Member
Partner
Nicholas M. Gines, CPA
Nicholas began his accounting career at Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1997. He became a partner in 2005. Nicholas specializes in real estate taxation, including construction, development and syndicated partnerships. Based on his knowledge and experience, Nicholas has provided valuable advice to high-net-worth commercial and residential property owners.
He also lends his expertise in consulting and individual and corporate tax preparation (partnerships, S and C corporations, limited liability companies) to all-size businesses, ranging from professional services, technology and retail to manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.
Education
University of Arizona
Bachelor's of Science in Accounting and Finance, 1995
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Real Estate Taxation
Partnerships
C Corporations
S Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
QuickBooks
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
Julie A. Firl, CPA
Julie joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 1993 and was admitted as a partner in 1998. Julie manages the firm’s auditing practice and specializes in nonprofit entities, the affordable housing industry, employee benefit plan audits and small businesses. In addition, she prepares nonprofit information returns, corporate and partnership income tax returns.
Education
University of Denver
BSBA, Accounting, 1983
AICPA
Certificate of Education Achievement Government Accounting and Auditing
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Accounting and Auditing
Nonprofit Organizations
Affordable Housing Industry
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Small Business
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Past Treasurer and Director of Combined Health Agencies
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
Jennifer S. Kinnard, CPA
Jennifer joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 2002 and was admitted as partner in 2015. Jennifer is experienced in individual, and business tax services. Jennifer also specializes in nonprofit organizations and affordable housing tax services.
Education
National University
Master of Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting, 1998
University of California, San Diego
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 1994
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Affordable Housing Industry
S-corporations
Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Partnerships
Nonprofit Organizations
QuickBooks
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Partner
Craig R. Slabaugh, CPA
Craig brought to Leaf & Cole over 30 years of experience upon joining the firm in 2013. In addition to having an experienced tax compliance and small business planning background across all entity types and extensive industries, he also specializes in non-profit organizations and audits of pension plans.
Education
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 1980
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Small business start-ups, structuring, and strategic planning
Professional practices and service industries
S-corporation taxation
Corporate taxation
LLC and partnership taxation
Trusts and estate taxation
Nonprofit organizations
Pension plan audits
IRS and FTB examinations
QuickBooks
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Nonprofit organization board member and volunteer
Partner
Carole A. Schmerbauch, CPA
Carole joined Leaf & Cole, LLP in 2004 and was admitted as partner in 2017. Carole is experienced in individual, and business tax services. Carole also specializes in estate, trust and multistate tax services.
Education
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 1997
National University
Master of Science emphasis in Taxation, 2008
Professional Designation
Certified Public Accountant in California
Areas of Professional Expertise
Real Estate
Estates and Trusts
Financial Planning
Multistate Taxation
S-corporations
Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Partnerships
Nonprofit Organizations
QuickBook
Professional and Civic Involvement:
Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Interested in Joining Our Team?