Our Team

Having worked in this industry for over 35 years, I learned that the biggest assets we have are not the accounts we manage – but the people we work with. Over the years we become great friends, sharing moments of great happiness and heartache. My primary goal is to work hard and do a great job for clients. But, what I remember is not outcome of smart tax planning or the value of an account, but those experiences we shared throughout our lives.

We began as a tax preparation firm which remains a core of our identity. Years of experience are a great asset, but with the ever changing environment of tax laws and regulations continuing education is critical to providing you with the best possible outcome. And, I constantly remind clients of the importance of talking to me BEFORE a transaction that may have tax consequences. Then only can we plan a strategy that creates positive results for you.

Several years into working with clients on their tax returns we discovered that many financial decisions had horrible outcomes. Therefore in 1987 we became licensed and added investment services. We strongly believe that by merging these two disciplines (Tax & Financial Services) we can provide clients with better overall results. Over the 30 plus years since adding investments services, my role has broadened from just providing investment products to determining the right investment strategies for each client.

My ultimate goal is to cultivate a long term relationship with people, helping them achieve the things they believe are important.

Sincerely,

Keith Gunther

I am Derek Thomsen, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Enrolled Agent¹. I am also licensed in Insurance, and I am passionate about helping clients be financially healthy. I have filed thousands of tax returns and specialize in ministerial finance. I earned my degree in Economics from Azusa Pacific University.

I want to understand your goals and objectives to make the best recommendations to ensure you a successful financial future. I understand that financial decisions affect your day-to-day and can have life-changing, rippling effects into the future. My prior industry experience has demonstrated that combining tax advice with financial planning services yields clients greater overall results. I am committed to this combination.

My wife, Whitney, and I both come from very large families. With over 20 combined aunts and uncles and 60 cousins, family is an important part of our life. Besides spending time with friends and family, Whitney & I enjoy spending time by the ocean at our home in Seal Beach.

_{¹ Highest credential the IRS awards.
”Enrolled Agent Information.” Internal Revenue Service, 4 Aug. 2017,
www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agent-information.}

Leonard Smith has been a partner with MGM Financial Group for over 30 years. He is licensed as a Tax Practitioner with the State of CA, having prepared 1,000’s of returns over the years.

He is also licensed as a Registered Representative for securities with LPL Financial, providing financial services to his clients for 30 plus years.