Bob Bernard, CPA, CMA, CGMA
Partner
Bob joined Brush Bernard in 1997 and has been managing partner since 2003. He earned his CPA license while working at Hood & Strong, a regional accounting firm based in San Francisco. Prior to joining Brush Bernard, Bob spent nine years in private industry, primarily in the commercial loan servicing department of Wells Fargo Bank.
Having worked as a professional musician, real estate agent, and computer programmer before heading to college, Bob’s mix of practical experience and education translates into an ability to see the big picture and bring clarity to the most complex situations.
Bob was the founder and President of Acacia Exchange Services, Inc., a premier Northern California resource for §1031 intermediary services. While Acacia closed in late 2020, Bob still does extensive consulting in exchanges and other real estate transactions.
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant (CA & OH)
Certified Management Accountant
Education
MS Taxation
Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA
BS Business Administration – Accounting
California State University, Hayward, CA
Professional Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants
Institute of Management Accountants
Cincinnati Estate Planning Council
Kevin Hallinan, EA
Partner
Kevin joined Brush Bernard in 2007, becoming a partner in 2008. During his decades in public accounting, Kevin has been intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of a variety of clients. He has developed extensive managerial expertise and a deep knowledge of accounting systems, from point of sales to inventory to the G/L. He understands the processes and procedures necessary to keep an accounting function running efficiently, provide effective internal controls, and to provide the decision makers concise and accurate information.
Kevin worked his way through college as a bartender, an experience that left him a good listener and someone with a good feel for tasting room operations.
Certifications
California Enrolled Agent
QuickBooks ProAdvisor
VinNow approved Consulting Accountant
Education
BS Business Administration – Accounting
California State University, Northridge, CA
Professional Affiliations
California Society of Enrolled Agents
Kandy Fowler, CPA
Partner
Kandy began her career with Deloitte and Touche in Southern California. During her tenure she gained experience in tax and audit working for SEC (publicly traded) and privately held companies. She returned to Sonoma County, where she had spent her undergraduate years, and joined a local CPA firm doing both tax and audit work. Kandy joined Brush Bernard in 2012 and became a partner in 2021.
Kandy’s experience reflects Sonoma County: agriculture, manufacturing, wineries, non-profits, and individuals.
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Education
BS Business Administration – Accounting
Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Professional Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Karen Bryant
Admin Partner
Karen is responsible for overseeing all facets of the business operation of Brush Bernard. Having joined the firm in 1990, she has grown with the firm over the years. During her tenure we have gone from processing tax returns on a completely manual basis to the sophisticated software and systems in use today. Karen also prepares individual tax returns and is expert in payroll preparation and compliance issues. As the firm has expanded and added new layers of complex technology, it was clear that Karen’s scope of responsibilities and deep understanding of technology, procedures, and client service dictated she be promoted to partner in 2021.
Marianne Fox
Accountant
Marianne is a Sonoma County native who joined Brush Bernard in 2018. Before joining Brush Bernard, Marianne has several years of experience in office administration and bookkeeping. Currently, Marianne works in administration and with individual tax returns.
Education
BS in Accounting
Western Governors University
Alison Scott
Tax Manager
After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Alison joined Teach for America and worked as a high school English teacher in Kansas City, MO. During that time, her interest began to shift towards business and, ultimately, tax accounting. Alison graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s Degree in Taxation in December 2016 and began her accounting career by working with the audit and tax groups of Holtzman Partners, a mid-sized CPA firm in Austin, TX.
Alison joined Brush Bernard in 2018 and prepares tax returns and financial statements for individuals and entities.
Education
MS in Professional Accounting – Taxation
University of Texas at Austin, TX
BA Political Science and Gender Studies
Hope College, Holland, MI
Professional Affiliations
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
The Ohio Society of CPAs
Erika Lux
Tax Manager
Erika Lux joined Brush Bernard, LLP in November 2021. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a Master’s Degree in Accounting, Erika spent eight years in the tax department at a regional accounting firm in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.
She specializes in the taxation of flow-through entities such as S-Corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies and has a strong background working on individual income tax compliance and planning for high net worth individuals, closely-held businesses and retirees.
Education:
Miami University – BA – Psychology
Oxford, OH
University of Cincinnati – MS – Accounting
Cincinnati, OH
Autumn Hausman
Accountant
Autumn is a born and raised Healdsburg local that has always had a passion for agriculture in the community. While still in college, she obtained an internship at a local CPA office and continued to work for them after completing her undergraduate degree. Her background in the agriculture industry has given her the knowledge and insight of many agribusiness operations. Since joining Brush Bernard in 2021, Autumn has continued to gain experience preparing a wide range of individual and entity tax returns.
Education:
AS in Agriculture Business Santa Rosa Junior College
BS in Agriculture Business California State University, Chico
Professional Affiliations:
American Agri-Women
Sigma Alpha Agricultural Alumnae
Angie Malinski
Accountant
Angie joined Brush Bernard in 2022 with concentrated experience in the Sonoma County wine industry. After working with a local winery upon graduating with her undergraduate degree, she continued to grow professionally while pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration degree. Angie brings familiarity of the local industry’s landscape and understanding of its anticipated growth through her past management roles overseeing both general operations and mapping out projections. Her knowledge of POS systems, detailed reporting and small business development has lent her skills to the complex nature of tax accounting. She joins Brush Bernard with a desire to facilitate support to our community through tax preparation and industry-specific business planning.
Education:
BA in Psychology – Sonoma State University
MBA – Concordia University, Irvine
Sarah Hess
Administration
Sarah relocated to Healdsburg and joined Brush Bernard’s administrative team in 2022. Sarah has held several administrative and leadership roles; most recently before joining Brush Bernard, she was a team supervisor working in the clinical research field. Her experiences have made her an expert in customer service and problem solving. Sarah will often be your first line of communication when contacting our office.
Education:
BA Interdisciplinary Studies
Central Methodist University