Blythe Announces Tax Advisory Services: Gershenovitz and Stumpf to Lead Practice

I’m pleased to announce that Blythe Global Advisors is adding Tax Advisory Services to its comprehensive portfolio of solutions and services. I’m especially pleased to announce that the practice will be led by two experts in the field – Barry Gershenovitz and Leslie Stumpf.

Barry has more than 34 years of tax expertise, was an EY tax partner for 17 years and has led engagements in all areas of corporate tax reporting and compliance for all types of public and private entities. He’s currently full-time professor of taxation at the Fullerton campus of California State University. Leslie has almost 30 years’ experience in the tax field including six years as a KPMG senior tax manager and two years as a PwC tax manager. As you’ll see from their resumes below, Barry and Leslie have headed tax departments in the audit firm and corporate environments and have extensive additional experience in accounting/reporting – giving them a unique, 360-degree perspective of the challenges faced by businesses and their auditors.

Why We’re Offering Tax Advisory Services

In today’s highly regulated and scrutinized environment, there’s a gap between auditors’ advanced tax reporting requirements and clients’ ability to provide audit-ready financial statements. In fact, almost 80 percent of restatements are in the area of tax provision reporting. Tax reporting that simultaneously meets all regulatory requirements and arrives at optimal tax positions for the business requires a depth of professional knowledge and resources that most companies don’t possess and that audit firms are restricted from providing. New and evolving tax laws make this navigation even more problematic. In short, companies need outside help.

Our aim in establishing a tax advisory practice is to help companies resolve the full spectrum of their tax issues – accurate application of the latest accounting rules, technical accounting, tax risk management, timely and compliant tax filings, etc. – with the ultimate goal of facilitating the preparation of audit-ready financial statements that meet audit firms’ requirements.

The BGA Difference

The BGA difference lies not just in the depth and breadth of our tax experts’ experience but in the bench that’s always available to support them and vice versa – what we call BlytheTeamSM. BlytheTeam is our alliance of former Big Four partners/executives, current industry entrepreneurs, and former corporate finance and accounting senior executives/professionals – the majority of whom are CPAs. These experts bring extensive knowledge of U.S. and international accounting principles and regulations, seasoned leadership, project management skills, and expertise across a wide range of industries to every engagement. Our end-to-end approach to engagements features turnkey implementation; customizable, flexibly priced solutions; knowledge transfer and measurable results. Our clients can attest that we hit the ground running and that we always leave companies better positioned to meet their reporting obligations and to reach their strategic objectives.

Our Tax Advisory Services

For businesses needing assistance with their tax reporting, we provide a range of services. Our corporate background gives us a solid understanding of what goes into good teams and good cross-functional cooperation. Our personnel understand what auditors need and are experienced at satisfying the independent aspects of tax work without any conflict of interest that prevents audit firms from doing this work. Put another way, our services are delivered by accountants and former finance and accounting professionals for accountants and current finance and accounting professionals.

  • Tax Risk Services: Advice and counsel to help companies understand the tax implications embedded in corporate activities especially around the tax provision process, thus enabling management to make optimal decisions regarding potential risks.
  • M&A Services: Tax support assistance during the due diligence phase.
  • IPO Readiness: Help to get tax provision processes up to public company standards; training to upgrade tax accounting competency.
  • Cosourcing/Outsourcing: A full- or part-time equivalent professional (including interim tax management) to help company staff fulfill the business’s tax responsibilities.

To learn more about Blythe Global Advisors, our solutions and BlytheTeam®, visit the Blythe Global Web site or call us as the location below that’s nearest you.

Irvine (HQ) 949-757-4180 Los Angeles 213-228-5002 San Diego 619-391-7385

Barry Gershenovitz

Barry Gershenovitz CPA and MST, has spent more than 34 years in all areas of corporate tax reporting and compliance for all types of public and private entities as a Big Four partner, tax director, senior corporate executive and college professor. Barry capped his long career at EY with 17 years as a tax partner. He was director of taxation for Tokos Medical Corporation. At present, in addition to his BGA association, Barry is a full-time professor of taxation at California State University at Fullerton where he’s leading a recalibration of the university’s Mihalo College taxation program. His industry experience includes the technology/semiconductors, manufacturing and distribution, retail, electronics, gaming/casinos and software sectors.

To contact Barry about our Tax Advisory Services, e-mail him at barry.gershenovitz@blytheteam.com

Leslie Stumpf CPA and MST, has spent almost 30 years in all areas of corporate tax reporting and compliance as a Big Four senior tax manager and independent consultant with more than 15 years’ extensive experience in accounting/reporting. She is also experienced in international tax reporting. In addition to her BGA association, Leslie is the co-owner and principal of Stumpf and Associates, APC. Previously, she was a senior tax manager at KPMG from 1997 to 2003 and a tax manager at PwC from 1995 to 1997. Her industry experience includes the technology, manufacturing and distribution, financial services, retail, and telecommunications sectors.

To contact Leslie about our Tax Advisory Services, e-mail her at leslie.stumpf@blytheteam.com

To discuss anything in this brief or if you’re looking for general accounting advice and counsel, contact marc@blytheglobal.com or call 949-757-4180.