Our staff
With over 60 years of combined accounting experience, the staff at Bierman CPA will guide you through the accounting and tax filing process, seamlessly. We strive to maintain our personable approach, and provide you with all of the resources you need to ensure each step is smooth-sailing. Come and meet our team, our family.
John T. Bierman
CPA
John graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1992 with a degree in Accounting. He received his CPA license (no. 69882) from the California State Board of Accountancy in 1995, and has full CPA privileges. Prior to starting his own firm, he worked for several local large firms. He is an Eagle Scout, and continues to actively participate with Boy Scouts of America. In the off season, he enjoys traveling, dirt and adventure bike riding, SCUBA diving and spending time with family.
Joseph Thor
CPA
Joseph graduated from Santa Clara University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. After beginning his career in business banking, Joseph transitioned to accounting and became a CPA (#150112) in April 2022. Joseph has experience in individual and business tax preparation and consulting, financial statement preparation, sales tax, and forensic accounting. Outside of work, Joseph can be found at Dodgers Stadium or the local golf course.
Desiree Melstrom
Office Manager
Desiree comes to us with over 20+ years of Accounting, Administrative and Office Management experience. She has extensive experience with all administrative and customer service tasks. Having held positions in the accounting and tax fields, Desiree is able to tailor her skills to meet her client’s needs. In her free time, Desiree enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her dog.
Luis Esquivel
CPA, Senior Tax Manager
Luis graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a BS in Accounting in June of 1995, and achieved his CPA license (no. 96827) in 2007. He has been in public accounting for over 20 years, providing service in tax and financial statements. In his off time, he enjoys coaching a speed skating team in Orange, reading fantasy novels, watching soccer, traveling and spending time with his family.
Ashlie Christy
CPA
Ashlie obtained her CPA license (no. 134008) shortly after completing a master’s degree in accounting from University of Connecticut in 2015. She started her career in public accounting at a larger regional firm. Then, she was drawn to work with John Bierman in order to work on a more personal level with individuals and business entities to help solve their tax challenges.
Ashlie is passionate about cooking—especially making bread. She can also be found spending time with her family in the outdoors, gardening and volunteering with youth groups.
Alan Yudin
Accounting Manager
Alan specializes in Sales Tax Audits, Payroll Tax Audits, Workers Compensation Insurance Audits, City Business Licenses, County Business Property Statements, QuickBooks and many other things that are needed just to be in business. On his off hours, Alan likes taking cruises, dancing and goes to Green Bay Packers games.
Brianna Jackson
Manager
Brianna has worked in public accounting since 2008 at a mid-sized firm in Long Beach, and joined John T. Bierman, AAC in 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from California State University, Long Beach and specializes in tax compliance, planning, and consulting for partnerships, LLC’s, Corporations, and high-net-worth individuals. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, binge-watching shows, or a watching a good movie.
Josh Sowma
CPA
Josh graduated from Menlo College in 2018 with a bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance. He received his CPA license with the state of California in April of 2022 and is continuing to educate himself to become the best CPA he can be. He has prior experience in tax relief, and bookkeeping, and has been in the industry for over 5 years. In his off time, he enjoys music production, stand-up comedy, and traveling with friends and family.
Christina Foley
Accountant
Christina graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She recently received her Associates Degree in Accounting and is excited to continue learning more about tax accounting. She is also Certified in QuickBooks and is a QBO advisor. Christina has worked for Bierman CPA in past years as an independent contractor helping with bookkeeping during the busy tax seasons and is now working in house. In her free time, she enjoys being involved with her daughter’s activities, hanging out with her friends and fine dining.
Daphne McCloskey
Staff Accountant
Daphne graduated from Cal Poly, Pomona in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She helped create and start a business with her family in home care nursing. This is where she learned bookkeeping, payroll, tax filing, and managing a company. After raising her daughter, she went back to school and aspires to earn her CPA License for the state of California. She has prior experience in providing bookkeeping, sales tax reporting, and sales tax audit services to private clients as well as tax preparation experience. In her spare time, she tends to her “urban farm”, makes her own herbal remedies, enjoys time with family and friends, and sings in the church choir
Desiree Capaci
Receptionist
Desiree has come to us with 25+ years in Administrative experience. She received an AA in Business Administration from Cerritos College in 1989 and worked in the Legal Field for 20 years. When her son was very young, she decided to go back to school and earn an AA at Fullerton JC in the field of Early Childcare Education. She worked at her son’s school as a teacher and assisted in the administration Department. In her spare time, she enjoys bike riding, dancing, and traveling into new adventures with the people closest to her.