RESUME
ALEXANDER SCHURAWEL CPA
Peer Review:
2017- Completed peer review with a rating of pass by independent CPA firm of selected financial statements under standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Peer Review Program. No deficiencies were noted in the Review engagement examined.
Professional Affiliations
Member AICPA Member AICPA-Tax Division
Member California Society of CPA’s
Experience: Over 30 Years In Public Accounting
1978-Began career with Price Waterhouse where I progressed to the position of Manager in Tax Department. Subsequently joined a local firm where I became Partner.
1984 Licensed by State Board of Accountancy
1996-Present: Alexander Schurawel CPA
Education
2011-2012 80 Hours of Continuing Education Completed
MBA-UCLA Graduate School of Management
Bachelor of Arts-Cornell University
Philosophy
I have been practicing public accounting since 1978. I have been within one quarter mile of the same location since 1984. I have in recent years celebrated twenty five year anniversaries with certain clients.
As a CPA I know my success and professional satisfaction is directly related to the success of my clients. I do not rely on formula solutions. Whether preparing a tax return or providing an in-depth analysis of a strategic and complex business transaction, I see my role as ensuring the client has the information required to optimize their position. There is no substitute for hard work and research.
As a sole practitioner my clients are not passed from one accountant to another as with larger firms. As my resume shows, I began my career with a national firm that often required several “specialists” to handle a given problem. One problem with the specialist approach is that as responsibilities are chopped up into smaller pieces, the forest would get lost in counting the trees. As a sole practitioner I enjoy the holistic approach of handling all aspects of a particular situation which tends to result in a more comprehensive and balanced solution. Rather than focus on tax and accounting issues my goal is to improve the success of my client’s business.
I have learned that planning requires understanding of the detail. A vision may prove disastrous if based upon false assumptions.
By asking questions I am often surprised that there is a uniqueness in my client transactions that allows the client to avoid accepted IRS limitations.
Through my library I have access to IRS policy manuals and audit manuals. Understanding potential IRS challenges strengthens the ability of my clients to successfully defend their positions when challenged by the IRS.
Recent services for my clients include:
Tax Planning
Management of alternative minimum tax considerations and other tax issues related to recovery of million dollar tax liability arising from the exercise of incentive stock options.
Adopted the Schurawel “one meeting a week plan” with minutes and follow-up questions to allow my client to resolve certain issues which log jammed their estate and succession planning process.
Tax Compliance
A general tax rule is that rental losses cannot offset taxpayer business income. Through a study of the facts I determined that my client’s facts were so unique that this limitation did not apply. Through audit, the IRS agreed with my interpretation. The deductions claimed saved my client over $100,000 in taxes.
Represented clients in appealing erroneous IRS assessments.
Prepared multiple year delinquent business and personal returns for one taxpayer. Negotiated and fairly resolved IRS, EDD, FTB, and SBOE liabilities with no disruption to client’s business.
Transaction Assistance
Assisted client in obtaining $8 million dollar construction loan and $ 9 million permanent financing in a turnkey assignment. I oversaw lender due diligence requirements, and reviewed construction draws. Allowed client to deal with financing issues on an exception only basis.
Assisted a law firm to review tax issues arising from sale of business. I identified inappropriate tax elections included in sale documents and saved seller over $200,000 in unnecessary taxes.
Assisted client in defining internal rate of return and member earnings in investor subscription documents,
Represented a Mexican entity in performing due diligence and deal terms in connection with acquisition of U.S. subsidiary.
Represented S Corporation in responding to letter of intent to purchase. Quantified three levels of tax due.