All posts by LosAdmin

LA’s Accounting Firms: Some Data

Employment, , , ,

accountingThere are many accounting firms in Los Angeles that are extremely successful and have a whole slew of clients. But as technology advances, these firms have to respond. A recent launch of a law firm in the region did just that: Leverage – a cloud accounting company began operations last month which is only going to be beneficial to clients. According to CEO and founder of the firm, Michelle Richardson, cloud accounting provides “an opportunity to make the power and expertise of full accounting departments accessible to everyone…[enabling the firm to offer professionals, startups and small businesses possibilities and a level of service that was previously only available to much larger companies.”

Who else is working well as an accountant in the area? Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Los Angeles County’s Top Accounting Firm ranked Prager Metis as Number 58 on its list.

In addition, in a recent article, AdvisoryHQ’s put out its List of the Best Accounting Firms in Los Angeles, California

  • Armanino, LLP (California’s largest independent accounting and business consulting firm; their tax strategies are tailored to a variety of high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and non-profits, whether on a regional or global scale )
  • Barlevi & Co. (the firmoffers clients comprehensive tax and financial planning services helping them remain financially viable well into the future; the firm’s tax team uses hands-on approach that looks at the situation from every angle)
  • BDO United States, LLP (provides clients with advisory services, assurance and audit services, and consulting on various levels. Being one of the world’s largest accounting networks it specializes in risk, transaction, and executive services to clients who are navigating the challenges of a professionally managed, disciplined business)
  • Cohn Reznick, LLP (using an international approach for their 300+ partners and 2700 employees, the firm is constantly on the look out for the latest cutting-edge, innovative solutions for both everyday situations and unlikely events; always thinking ahead and features experts on all types of taxation issues).
  • Grant Thornton, LLP (boasting a revenue of $1.45+ billion, it has been featured in Crain’s Best Place to Work, Vault’s Best Accounting Firm for Work for 2011-2015 and Accounting Top 50 2011-2015, and Working Mother’s Best companies 2006-2015. As well it offers custom-tailed services in a variety of specialist industries).
  • Green Hasson Janks, LLP (established 6 decades ago the firm is one of the oldest independently-owned and operated of its kind in the area. It understands the need for international collaboration given the increased involvement with the global economy).
  • Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt (HCVT), LLP (with its technologically advanced structure, the firm is able to offer clients specific market niche focus with more value and highly accurate insight when mitigating a specific challenge related to taxation, daily practices, regulations, and more)
  • Moss Adams, LLP is an internationally-acclaimed industry-focused leader in tax, accounting, and consulting services building its foundation of highly motivating core values including integrity, lifetime learning and leading by example. It was established in 2008 to offer women, who tend to go underrepresented in many fields, the opportunity to learn new skills, build strong careers, and contribute to their own overall success).
  • NSBN, LLP (a full-scale CPA firm offering a large variety of services including tax, bookkeeping, financial consulting, business management, IT, etc., removing the pressure from the client with its strategies that help reduce your tax burden, keep accurate records, stay ahead of your finances, and produce smoother operations with less effort).
  • SingerLewak, LLP (focuses on: Audits of employee benefit plans, Financial statement audits, Financial statement reviews, Audits of internal control and Financial statement compilations
  • Windes, Inc. (has become successful in the nearly century of its existence due to its client culture, customer-centric service, and innovative, industry-leading approach to meeting clients’ financial goals. Strong focus on quality assurance).

 

 

Boost in LA Economy

Economy, , , ,

economyIndependent economic research firm Beacon Economics recently released a report at the LA Chamber of Commerce indicating that the region has encountered widespread, solid growth over the last year.  When looking at the year starting from September 2015, private sector business employment figures grew at a prosperous rate of 2 percent, resulting in the creation (in total) of almost 1.4 million jobs.

In addition, wages on average flourished, with the average annual wage increasing by 1.3 percent to $59,300.  There was an increase in sales tax receipts (2.4 percent) and city-collected gross business tax receipts (8.4 percent).  The 4.8 percent of plummeting unemployment rate that has been encountered is now lower than America’s average of 5.0 percent.  the largest areas of employment growth were construction and miscellaneous services.  The only industry to encounter a shrinkage was private education. In terms of construction, this number was facilitated by the fact that there was a substantial increase in the amount of residential units in mixed-use development projects to get permits over the last 12 months.

In terms of small businesses, Small Business Saturday is coming up on thanksgiving weekend at Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse (La Cañada Flintridge, at the intersection of Foothill Blvd. and the Angeles Crest Hwy.).  The nationwide event – which began in 2010 – was established by American Express to support indie businesses and recognize their contributions to their communities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that between 1993 and 2015 it was small businesses which were responsible for the establishment of most new jobs in America, and this was the case even during the economic downturn.

Check Out Parachute

Featured,

beddingParachute – the direct-to-consumer bedding and home goods startup is attempting to give its customers the opportunity to try out the products before purchasing.  Its high quality goods are manufactured in Italy and sold both online and in its showroom in Venice, California.

Although the firm was launched two years ago, it now has a new hotel 2,200 square foot penthouse hotel.  At this venue, customers are able to try out the sheets. This is because the towels, bedding, mattress pads and more are all used for the customers in the hotel.  Then, if they like what they are using, they have the opportunity to purchase the stuff afterwards.

According to Ariel Kaye the firm’s CEO and founder, they are doing this to provide “an opportunity for our community to engage with Parachute in a new and exciting way. We wanted to create a space that would feel comfortable not only for a group of thirty, but also for a couple looking to relax on vacation and to experience Venice like locals.”

Getting a Job in LA Just Got Easier

Employment, ,

jobsAccording to recent statistics from the Employment Development Department, the state of California added a net 631,000 jobs in August.  Although the unemployment rate did not budge from its 5.5%, California encountered an additional 42 percent of all US job growth during that time frame.  However, the unemployment rate there remained stagnant at 5.5 percent.

The industries in California that are currently faring best for jobs are: government, services and trade, transportation and utilities.  For the state’s manufacturers, the rate of jobs being added was 2.5 percent.

These numbers are being backed by Indeed – the job search service – that recently launched Indeed Prime in LA in the hope of finding technical talent in the region.  This is because it is believed top quality software engineers are not looking for work in LA.

Talking of “jobs” in Los Angeles, Laurene Powell Jobs – Steve Jobs’ widow is giving out $10 million to two teachers in the region to enable them to start a school for homeless and foster youth.  The prize money – as part of Jobs’ XQ: The Super School Project – will be given to winners of the high school redesign competition she is funding.  They will receive their monies over the next five years.

Downtown LA: A Look at the Buildings

Architecture, , , , ,

la-skylineDowntown LA is known for its historic architecture, featuring iconic and classic buildings.  This includes: Bradbury Building, Broadway Theatre District, Central Public Library, City Hall, Grand Central Market, Millennium Baltimore Hotel, Union Station, US Bank Tower.  While much stays the same, a lot changes in the region too.

For example, it is true that the Dutch Chocolate Shop in Downtown LA is quite the historic core of the region.  With its wealth of “historic Batchelder tiles (crafted by artist Ernest Batchelder of Pasadena) it is “considered by many experts to be the tile-maker’s most important commission.” Owned by a trust, this 6th Street property is now up for sale.  And although the tiles were hidden away until 2012 (when they were quit by chance discovered during a public tour), any passersby touring the space can be privy to a “wonderland of elaborate tile murals.”  J. Austin Russell real estate agent has the listing.

Meanwhile, 58 feet of the Wilshire Grand was raised to the top, giving it “the distinction of being the tallest building the western United States,” as it rose 1,100 feet. Indeed, in 2014 it was listed as the tallest structure that had been erected “in an active earthquake zone.” Those in LA know it for changing their hometown’s skyline.  Architects finally got the approval from city officials to develop this, which is quite different from the high-rise design typical for the area. The transformations made at the Wilshire Grand has been praised by architects who hope that “one day the airspace above the ubiquitous sprawl will incorporate the more daring and aesthetic shapes that have emerged in cities around the world.”

And then there is Metropolis, quite an “unprecedented monstrous patchwork of glass and concrete next to the 110 Freeway.”  Winston Yan, an executive and architect at Greenland (a Chinese real estate firm), over the last 10 years he has been privy to the huge urbanization China has encountered.  So of the Metropolis he says “It reminds me of what’s happening in Beijing and Shanghai. Now it’s happening here.”

These are just some of the impressive architectural news items that have appeared recently in connection with downtown LA.

 

LA Fleet Week

Featured, ,

fleetSan Pedro is the host of LA’s first Fleet Week.  With military ships docking at its port over Labor Day weekend, the public were able to go on a tour of the naval vessels (including the Iowa battleship, Wayne E. Meyer missile destroyer and ship America), checking out some of the 1,500 sailors and military personnel.  There were search-and-rescue demos from the Coast Guard, military aircraft aerial demos and more.

While Fleet Weeks have been popular for many decades in other cities (like New York, San Diego and San Francisco), this is a first for LA, being termed a “new end-of-summer tradition” for one of America’s busiest container ports.  While the Port of LA has hosted Navy Days L.A. for the last ten years which is similar to Fleet Week showcasing Navy and Marine Corps activities, it is not on the same scale as Fleet Week.  Due to efforts from military and civilian agencies which requested an amplification of the festivities, Navy Days was changed to Fleet Week.

Events during the week are free and open to the public, to celebrate sea services that dates back to World War II and has been hailed as a Naval-American tradition.

Happy 235th Birthday LA

Featured, , , ,

cyclistsAs a way of marking 235 years of Los Angeles, hundreds of proud Los Angeleans retraced the 9-mile route original settlers walked all those years ago from the San Gabriel Mission to the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. Marching along Mission Road, via Lincoln Park and over the LA River to the LA Plaza Historic District downtown, the participants noted how different the walk was from the one their ancestors engaged in, primarily because they had no idea what they would find on their trail.

This time too, the sound of drums filled the air, “Celebrate Our Heritage Walk and Bike to L.A., and thereafter, a ceremony and presentation were held at the final stop.   In addition, the Marian Procession and Votive Mass engaged in their own celebrations marking the milestone, given that it was named for Mary, Queen of Angels. Open to the public, the festivities were put on by the Queen of Angels Foundation and a Votive Mass was held at 3pm at the Cathedaral of Our Lady of the Angels. Thereafter there was a Grand Marian Procession to Our Lady Queen of Angels Church and the La Placita at Olvera Street. The festivities finished at 5.15 with a blessing.

 

 

 

Los Angeles’ Summer Calendar

Fashion, , , ,

poolThere are some great things to do throughout LA over the summer.  Here are a few attracting popularity.

For example, you don’t need to go far if you want a mini-Vegas-like break.  You can get it right in LA thanks to the Standard Downtown.  As soon as you arrive at the lobby you feel like you’re many miles away at the Strip, with its swinger-style tone.  When you get up to the room you’ll enjoy “platform beds, tubs for two and peek-a-boo showers.”  Also featuring, DJs, vibrating waterbeds and incredible views, the rooftop pool bar makes you feel like you’ve just had a slice of heaven!

For those who want to rough it a little and truly enjoy LA’s outdoors, thanks to the region’s beachy coastline, desert landscape and spectacular mountains, there are some great southern Californian locations not to be missed this summer. Some examples include: Refugio State Beach, San Mateo Camp Ground (San Onofre State Beach) as well as the Leo Carillo State Park.

And of course not to be missed is Echo Park Lake which has recently completed a 2-year long renovation.  Now viewed as a really family-friendly destination, people are truly enjoying its Downtown skyline backdrop featured among the lotus flower bloom and fountains.  Walk the track, steer a pedal boat and visit the boathouse and Lady of the Lake statue.

With its near-to-perfect summer climate, LA has something to offer everyone throughout the summer.

 

Start Up News in LA

Employment

roundtable-officeLos Angeles may be infamous for its success in entertainment but as a result about, the topic often not discussed is its success in the manufacturing industry. And it seems that it is the small businesses are the ones with the most significant role in the manufacturing economy.  Indeed, according to Eric Garcetti, SMEs are indeed “the most powerful driving force” of the industry, fueling the growth of the larger manufactures while “experimenting, innovating and driving the industry forward.”

In addition, with the launch of Make It In L.A., (last month) the regional initiative seeks to unite the country’s largest community of makers.  An event was held for this project highlighting four of the hottest retail startups in the Greater LA area.  The project comprises a coalition of organization that also wishes to support Las manufacturing ecosystem, while “inspiring entrepreneurs to turn their passions into real products in LA.”

Meanwhile, CNM LLP was named among the “Best Places to Work in Los Angeles” for the second consecutive year. So LA seems to be “working”!