Who We Are
Our
Partners • Our
Managers • Our
Accounting Team • Our
Support Team
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John Lerias,
Co-Founder, Partner, CPA
John is always looking for ways to distinguish GYLD from other accounting
firms. It's a simple matter for him, because he's an accomplished accountant
in his own right, with industry expertise in real estate, homebuilding,
construction and non-profit organizations. He graduated from Memphis State
University with a degree in business administration, then attained his CPA
license in California a short time later. He holds Securities License 6
and 66, as well as a Real Estate License. An overachiever? Not according
to John. “I strongly believe that business needs to be approached
with discipline, commitment and integrity. That's how I live my life. And
it's my road to success.” It should come as no surprise that he's
also a believer in Business Beyond the Books. “You may be on the road
to success, but you need a vehicle to get you there. That's where we come
in. This is what any client should be looking for. It's what they deserve.”
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Stephen Williams, Co-Founder,
Partner, CPA
Stephen genuinely enjoys helping people get ahead in their businesses and
their lives. He graduated from California State, Fullerton with a Business
Administration degree and an emphasis in Accounting, noting, “When
I saw the importance of knowing numbers and their relationship to success,
I could see how I could really help people -- by imparting valuable information
to them.” Stephen had his own practice before merging with GYLD. This
turned out so well for him, he now heads up the firm's Mergers & Acquisition
department. Today, after practicing for 24 years, his “human”
approach shines through his work: “Sometimes accountants are viewed
as the “No” people. Here, we work to figure out how it can be
done. One area of his expertise is Specialty Services such as Construction.
“Clients need to know you're looking out for their best interests.
You won't find anyone who works harder for you.”
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Cassie Smith, Partner, CPA
Cassie's path to joining GYL Decauwer seems inevitable. Her
mother was a business owner, which sparked Cassie's interest
in the business side of accounting. She started working in
high school as a part-time bookkeeper and graduated from California
State University, San Bernardino with a Business and Public
Accounting degree. A proven asset to her clients and colleagues,
she's been part of GYLD since 1995, helping to open the San
Diego office. She uses Business Beyond the Books to guide
client businesses, including Non-Profits. She closely shares
Dennis Decauwer's vision: “We partner with clients to
point them in the right direction. We have an invaluable Resource
Network for them. We are their advisors -- their trusted advisors.
When they succeed, we succeed.”
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Brent Hicks, Partner, CPA
Success is what keeps Brent motivated and energized. He's excited by what
he does and what the firm's clients achieve. He is a graduate of San Jose
State University with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis
in Accounting. A CPA for over a quarter century, he's held a number of prestigious
posts during that time: CFO of a multi-division computer sales company,
co-owner of a construction company and partner at his own CPA firm before
his company merged with GYLD. He notes, “The merger provided a means
to grow and better service clients.” Brent's area of expertise is
Specialty Services such as Agriculture and Dairy Farms. “In this area,”
he says, “accounting is as much an art as a science.” His philosophy:
“Clients know that I will treat their dollar as though it were my
own.”
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Dennis Decauwer, Co-Founder,
CPA
Dennis is a notable example of success rooted in planning,
motivation and ability. Despite very humble beginnings raised
by his grandmother, his ambition to do more, be more, accomplish
more blossomed early. He started delivering newspapers at
age 9 and became the first in his family to graduate from
college, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal
Poly Pomona). He went on to become a CPA and build one of
the largest accounting firms in the Inland Empire. His passion
for providing clients consistent results, as well as Business
Beyond the Books, fueled his achievements. As did his personal
philosophy honed after 35 years in the accounting industry:
“I am a coach to clients and staff. My job is to motivate,
inspire and guide. Success breeds success. The harder you
work, the luckier you get.” |
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