Partner, Certified Public Accountant
Kelli Cox
Crunching numbers. Thinking strategically. Analyzing figures to get clarity about financial transactions. These are the things that Kelli loves the most. Nerdy, yes, but the satisfaction she gets from channeling those skills into helping clients grow their businesses and optimize their goals, is unparalleled. That’s her life’s calling, and she loves it!
A Certified Public Accountant, Kelli earned her accounting degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and grew and managed a very successful small business in the Napa Valley, until she transitioned into public accounting. She has extensive experience working for CPA firms in Orange County and, more recently, in the Coachella Valley. She has focused her continuing education on business tax and succession planning issues, obtaining her CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) certificate in 2018, as well as the designation of Certified Tax Coach.
Kelli brings with her to this role a broad depth of experience with small business management and compliance, from implementation of accounting systems to tax audit representation, and a passion for serving the complex tax planning, preparation and accounting needs of both businesses and individuals. From a young age, Kelli knew she wanted to go into business: she organized her young friends and started numerous business ventures in her neighborhood, ranging from lemonade stands to selling seeds door to door. She is delighted to bring her entrepreneurial experience and passion to grow her own business as well as helping others do the same.
Kelli has an indelible commitment to her community and especially to women’s empowerment, and she channels this passion into providing other women with the tools they need to succeed in business. She facilitates workshops for business training programs offered by the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center and is co-chair of the California Society of CPA’s Coachella Valley Discussion Group. She is an active member of the Palm Desert Palms to Pines Rotary club, focusing on bringing hands-on charitable activities to the group.
When she’s not working, Kelli can be found horseback riding (because she loves horses and cowboy boots), hiking, swimming and generally enjoying the soul refreshing beauty of the Coachella Valley where she lives.
Contact Kelli Cox
E-mail: kelli@cgcbiz.com
Direct phone: 442-227-5378
Director - Tax & Audit, Certified Public Accountant
Lisa LaClair
With over thirty years’ of practice as a CPA, Lisa LaClair brings a wealth of experience to her position as the Tax Manager with CGC Accountants & Advisors. Upon graduating from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, she initially worked as a staff accountant for the nation’s seventh-largest accounting firm at their Southfield, Michigan office, where she first honed her skills in compilations, reviews and audits of profit and not-for-profit businesses as well as individual, business, estate and trust taxation. While still in Michigan, she also earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Walsh College of Accounting and Business Administration. Lisa is the signing partner for all of CGC's attest work.
After marrying a career Marine Corps officer, Lisa worked in different states and in several California locations including Monterey, Orange County, and finally here in the Coachella Valley. This afforded her the opportunity to work in various capacities for a number of public accounting firms, primarily in taxation but also developing a deep resume of audit engagement experience including a specialty in Captive Insurance Companies along the way. Following her husband’s retirement from active duty, she spent several years as the Controller for a local construction firm. This provided her with an understanding of that industry’s concerns as well as valuable insight on the client’s perspectives and needs when working with a Public Accounting firm.
Most importantly, Lisa’s nomadic lifestyle as a military spouse afforded her the opportunity to observe best practices at each firm along the way and develop her own proactive, client-first approach to client engagement and service. A self-professed “numbers geek”, Lisa takes great pride in providing her clients with expert service and advice tailored to the clients’ unique needs.
Outside of the office, Lisa enjoys working in the yard, doing craft projects, traveling and occasionally off-roading with her husband.
Senior Tax Specialist, Certified Public Accountant
Brian Boespflug
Brian L. Boespflug is CGC’s Senior Tax Specialist. As a recently retired IRS agent with over 30 years of service, Brian comes to us with an impressive tax background. Brian attended the University of Montana where he earned his degree in Business Administration and Accounting. After passing the CPA exam he started working in a small public accounting firm in Montana, but with a desire to specialize in tax, Brian moved to Los Angeles in 1987 to accept a position with the Internal Revenue Service. Throughout his career Brian took on a variety of different roles with the IRS. His assignments took him throughout greater Los Angeles, as well as the state of Washington. Some of his positions included Revenue Agent, Planning and Special Programs, Appeals Officer, and most recently, Field Examination Group Manager. Brian was also a certified instructor with the IRS and helped train new managers for different departments and divisions. Brian relocated to Rancho Mirage in 2008 and completed his career with the IRS at the Palm Springs office.
Having a passion for all things tax, Brian is eager to use his skills in assisting our clients with their tax needs.
Certified Public Accountant
Tamy Galindo
Tamy Galindo comes to CGC with one of the most diverse accounting backgrounds. She has obtained her CPA license after working with us, after many years in the accounting field. Her love for numbers started at 16 when she started doing her dad’s books for his computer business. Tamy graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business with a focus on accounting from National University in 2017. Throughout her career she has done accounting for all types of businesses ranging from construction companies, restaurants, country clubs, and rental properties.
Tamy has lived in the Coachella Valley for 22 years. She has a son whom she is very proud of. For fun she enjoys a competitive game of cards or board games with family and friends. When she has time, she likes to do DIY projects. Even though she lives in the desert, she loves the water and will take any opportunity to vacation by a beach, lake, or river!
Certified Public Accountant
Farihah Ali
After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with degrees in International Business and International Studies in 2001, Farihah decided she wasn’t done learning yet and went on to earn a Masters in Accountancy from Wichita State University. She then moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2004 and began working in public accounting, with a focus on high net-worth individuals, fiduciary taxes, and closely-held family businesses, and obtained her CPA license. This background helped her to later transition to working in single and multi-family offices, where she was able to use her prior experience to manage the preparation of tax returns and work with in-house investment and accounting departments to provide tax planning, financial reports, and cash projections for clients.
After having her son, Farihah eventually came back to public accounting, where she enjoys working with a variety of industries and clients and is always learning something new!
Farihah lives in the Atlanta area with her husband, son, and their crazy cat. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, dabbling in many other hobbies, and spending time with family and friends.
Audit Manager
Lisa Bland
Lisa was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. After graduating at the top of her class, she attended UC Santa Barbara where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting. She began her accounting career as an auditor at KPMG in Orange County. Opting for a more personal touch, she relocated to a private firm where she worked on numerous audits, including 401 (k) audits, from small businesses to private corporations and large public companies.
After having her second child, Lisa relocated back to the Coachella Valley to be closer to family and friends. She is very happy to be back in the desert. Before joining our team, Lisa worked for a local accounting office preparing individual and corporate tax returns.
When not working, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and extended family.
Certified Public Accountant
Tyler McMillin
Tyler moved from Crescent City, California to the desert at the age of one. He always had admiration for the scenic desert mountain vistas and agricultural fields and learning about its history. His family frequently traveled between their home in Blythe and the Coachella Valley for their shopping needs.
Tyler began studying accounting in 2017 during his third year at Palo Verde College. He moved to the Coachella Valley in 2018 and attended California State University San Bernardino campus, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. He is on his way to become a CPA and has now passed all of his exams. He prepares returns and is expanding his accounting and taxation knowledge, thanks to the hands on training with the experienced CGC team.
Tyler lives with his twin brother and loves animals, enjoys travel, drawing, photography, collecting vinyl records, and railroads.
Administrator
Asia Hopps
Originally from Canada, Asia moved to Southern California when she was about seven years old. Eventually her family planted roots in the desert and she now calls this her home. After graduating from Palm Desert High School Asia attended College of the Desert where she completed a two-year accounting program and received an accounting certificate. She has experience working in other CPA firms in the Coachella Valley. Asia is committed to be good support to her fellow workmates and our clients wherever assistance is needed.
Her passions include art, music, and fashion. In her free time, she enjoys going to museums and attending concerts with her friends. She also loves exploring the desert and discovering fun and exciting things to post on her blog.
Administrator
Shawna Baca
Shawna comes to us with over 20 years of experience as an accounting and administrator hybrid. She has gone from receptionist and executive assistant to bookkeeping and getting companies back in line when their books are in shambles. She is very good at her job and can reconcile anything! Shawna started doing construction accounting in 2005 and transitioned into a public accounting office in 2018. She is quickly learning the administrative side of things and continues to use her skills and experience to assist our clients with their bookkeeping needs.
Shawna has lived most of her life in the desert and migrated to San Diego for a brief time to experience some cooler weather. Once she had kids, she came back to the desert to be closer to family. She is a mom of four and has one grandbaby. Her family vacations involve a lot of trips to the beach and camping with friends. She is a competitive card and board game player, loves to cook for everyone that comes over, enjoys reading a good book, and likes to pull out her photo albums and reminisce about good times.
Administrator/Bookkeeper
Gloria Estrada
Gloria joined the CGC team in late 2022 as an administrator/bookkeeper. Born and raised in the Coachella Valley Gloria, she loves everything about the desert from the hot to the cool refreshing days. Gloria has worked in customer service and finance for over a decade. Going above and beyond is always her goal. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and her bilingual skills help her achieve such goals.
When not at work Gloria enjoys traveling, concerts, movies, reading and board games in addition to spending time with her family and friends.