OUR TEAM
Meet the people behind Frank Akef & Co.
Frank Akef
As the founding member of the company that bears his name, Frank works diligently to keep the firm on the cutting edge of technology, and up to date on the latest standards of the accounting industry. The success of his firm is founded on collaborating closely with clients and building efficiency and accuracy in their accounting systems by empowering them with access to real-time financial statements and data back-ups. To best serve clients, Frank has assembled an ambitious and talented team with a passion for learning and working as a cohesive unit. Although he is knowledgeable in all facets of tax and accounting, his emphasis has been upon providing integrated services that encompass family wealth preservation, real estate, Internal Revenue Service representation, and financial and estate planning. Frank received his Bachelor’s Degree in Cost Accounting from the Institute of Advanced Accounting and his MBA from Northrop University. He was a partner in the CPA firm Richard & Hedrick before starting Frank Akef & Co. in 1979. He serves as a board member and investor within several local entities. Frank has active affiliations with NSA and SCA and contributes to UNICEF and Children’s Home Society of California. He is an avid cyclist and skier.
David Thelin
David is enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and the Taxing Authorities of all 50 U.S. states. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from California State University, Northridge. He served as a controller before entering Public Accounting in 1991. Since joining Frank Akef & Co. in 2002, David has been an integral part of the Tax Consulting division, assisting clients with many complex issues including corporate taxation, trusts, multi-state tax issues, and estate and business planning. He currently oversees the firm's most important tax clients and writes Frank Akef & Co.’s newsletter. David enjoys attending rock concerts in Las Vegas and is a HUGE LA Dodgers fan and season ticket holder.
Nan Suksompoth
Nan brought over 10 years of accounting experience to Frank Akef & Co.’s clients when she joined the firm in 2012. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Thailand, a Master’s Degree from University of La Verne, and a Certificate of Accounting from UCLA. Nan is a Notary Public and has been a QuickBooks pro advisor member for over 8 years. As a senior staff accountant, Nan has extensive experience in training clients for initial QuickBooks setup, both the online and desktop version; data entry, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and inventory tracking. Nan is also responsible for compiling corporate budget comparisons and financial forecasts. Nan is a yelp enthusiast and she manages to entice our office staff to try a variety of international cuisines during staff meetings.
Amrit Virdi
Amritpal Singh Virdi was born and raised in Punjab, India. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. He is currently a 2021 CPA candidate. At Frank Akef & Co, Amrit compiles financial statements in compliance with US GAAP, preparing tax returns for individuals, corporations and partnerships. His off job interests are traveling, hiking and watching all kinds of sports.
Dawn Stramer
Dawn comes to Frank Akef & Co. with a 20-year diverse management background in large software implementations, office construction projects, and technical, support, implementation, administration and finance team management. She has experience in IT, HR, finance and project management and has served as a CFO, Controller, Services Director and as a key executive in software, public relations firms and computer consulting companies. In these rolls she played an integral part in deciding and realizing short and long term strategic corporate goals. Dawn serves as an Executive Assistant and HR professional at FAC. Her hobbies includes organizational projects and in creating operational and administrative efficiencies.
Reenu Joshi
Reenu Joshi received her Master’s degree in Accounting in Nepal. She has been an integral part of the Frank Akef & Co. accounting team since 2015. Reenu handles the responsibility of data entry, bank reconciliations, 1099s, monthly billing, filing, mailing, and so on. She’s fluent in English, Hindi & Nepali. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, cooking delicious food, and spending quality time with family.
Sima Etemadi
Sima joined Frank Akef & Co. in July of 1984. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Cost Accounting from the Institute of Advanced Accounting. Sima offers clients a wide range of experience, gained by practicing accounting in both public and private sectors in Southern California for over 35 years. Sima is instrumental in maintaining accuracy and quality within the presentation of financial statements to Frank Akef & Co. clients. She has also coordinated the successful representation of clients in examinations of payroll and Workers Compensation issues. Sima has extensive experience in business and tax planning and preparation. She regularly attends Spidell tax conferences to keep in touch with the latest tax updates. Sima sits on the Board of Directors for several entities and actively contributes to the Los Angeles Rescue Mission as well as several cancer research philanthropies. She enjoys traveling to see her family in different parts of the U.S. and the world.
Phil Kal
Phil Kal was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, growing up in Humbolt Park and later on in Highland Park. He attended Roosevelt University in Chicago, majoring and receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Phil practiced Accounting in Chicago through August 1980 upon which he moved his business to Los Angeles. He's been practicing in Los Angeles since that date and specializes in Entertainment Taxes. In addition to being married, with three children and eight grandchildren, Phil is a United States Airforce Veteran, and lives in Burbank with his wife and two dogs, Beau & Mr. Belvedere.
OUR ASSOCIATES
Mahtab Moayedi
Mahtab Moayedi, CPA has received her bachelor degree in Accounting from California State University of Long Beach (“CSULB”) in 1991, and received a Master’s degree in Business Taxation from University of Southern California (“USC”) in 2001. Mahtab is a seasoned Finance Executive with over 20 years of professional experience in leading and executing accounting, financial consulting and audit projects for a number of Fortune 1000 companies in insurance, financial, and service industries. Mahtab began her career working for Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) in the insurance practice performing audits and tax consulting. She transitioned from public accounting to private industry joining Zenith Insurance Company as Vice President (“VP”) of Internal Controls & Audit. She was the Chief Operating Officer (“CFO”) at Familia Dental, a closely held entity with more than 600 employees. Mahtab has been performing consulting for small businesses since 2000. Mahtab is a board member of the Persian American Cancer Institute “PACI”. She believes that Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful.
Mahdad Zand
Mahdad received his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Westminster, England. He has worked in the financial industry since 1992 as an advisor and has provided risk management advice to high net-worth individuals. He has earned the designations of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) from American College. With his extensive training, experience and commitment to continuing education, Mahdad is uniquely qualified to assist clients in many complex areas, including: Cash-flow analysis Education funding strategies Insurance policies, including individual and group life, disability income, health, and long-term care Investment strategies Retirement planning and plan distribution Charitable giving Estate planning WWW.MZMGroup.com
Sherwood Kingsley
Sherwood Kingsley today serves as the Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation's vice-president/treasurer, and awards scholarships to students at Loyola Marymount University and the University of La Verne. Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California, and then earned his licensure as a Certified Public Accountant. For more than 30 years he has been a prominent tax and estate planning consultant to Southern California businesses. Sherwood's most consuming passion, however, is serving as a legislative ambassador in Washington, D.C. for the American Cancer Society. He and his wife Rona have called Culver City their home for the past 27 years.