ACCOUNTING
FRANCES ELLINGTON, DBA, CPA
State and Local Tax Leader
GHJ
DOUGLAS HALLEY, CPA
Health and Wellness Practice Leader
GHJ
PETER KLASS, CFE
Leader in the Filmed Entertainment Practice
GHJ
Dan Landes
Media and Advertising Practice Leader
GHJ
Richard Wu
Real Estate Practice Leader
GHJ
Mari-Anne Kehler
Certified Diversity Professional
GHJ
GHJ Announces Five New Partner Promotions and Executive Committee Updates
GHJ, a leading accounting and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of five talented leaders to partner:
• Dr. Frances Ellington (State and Local Tax Leader)
• Douglas Halley (Health and Wellness Practice Leader)
• Peter Klass (a leader in the Filmed Entertainment Practice)
• Dan Landes (Media and Advertising Practice Leader)
• Richard Wu (Real Estate Practice Leader)
In addition, GHJ is excited to announce that Partner and Chief Strategy Officer Mari-Anne Kehler will be joining the Firm’s Executive Committee.
FRANCES ELLINGTON, DBA, CPA
Frances Ellington, DBA, CPA, is GHJ’s State and Local Tax Practice Leader and has more than 10 years of experience assisting her clients on issues related to tax audit controversy, nexus and reporting requirements, as well as various tax planning initiatives. A strong supporter and mentor of other women outside and at GHJ, Frances is co-leader of GHJ’s Women’s Empowerment Cohort. Frances was also a recipient of The Accountant’s and International Accounting Bulletin’s 2020 “Young Accountant of the Year” award and CalCPA’s 2019 “Women to Watch” award.
DOUGLAS HALLEY, CPA
Douglas Halley, CPA, is a leader GHJ’s Audit and Assurance Practice. With more than 30 years of public accounting experience, Douglas primarily works with clients in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. He demonstrates excellence in financial management and analysis coupled with executive leadership and financial expertise. Douglas is also a well-known industry speaker and lecturer at universities such as UCLA, USC School of Public Health and national conferences on accounting updates to corporate governance best practices. Due to his extensive expertise in the area, Douglas will also be responsible for leading and growing GHJ’s Health and Wellness Practice.
PETER KLASS, CFE
Peter Klass, CFE, has more than 20 years of entertainment accounting and audit experience, specializing in profit participations, distribution and contract compliance of film and television programs. He also consults on disputes and litigations, profit-sharing arrangements and settlement negotiations on behalf of clients. Peter is a co-author of the 3rd edition of Movie Money: Understanding Hollywood’s (Creative) Accounting Practices and has written and been interviewed on various entertainment and media topics. He is a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University and Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution and has participated in various speaking engagements centered on film and TV profit participations.
DAN LANDES, CPA
Dan Landes, CPA, leads GHJ’s Technical Consulting Group as well as the Media and Advertising Practice. With 15 years of experience, he is an expert accounting and revenue recognition for digital media, advertising, technology and filmed entertainment. He is a regular guest lecturer at universities, such as UCLA and California State University, Northridge, and leads the revenue recognition segment of CalCPA’s annual “Motion Picture and Television Industry: Accounting and Auditing Overview.” Additionally, Dan is actively involved in GHJ’s Mentoring Program and has led various internal trainings on revenue recognition and financial statement preparations.
RICHARD WU, CPA
Richard Wu, CPA, leads GHJ’s Real Estate Practice and provides business strategy, tax advisory and tax compliance services to regional, national and international real estate companies as well as family offices and high-net-worth individuals. He has more than 15 years of tax compliance and consulting experience. Richard advises clients with a clear understanding of their business operations and long-term goals. He also provides support on tax-efficient entity structuring, due diligence on sales and acquisitions of real estate investments, mortgage debt analysis and cash flow and net-operating-income projections. Richard has also authored numerous tax blogs for GHJ as well as having spoken on tax topics for CalCPA.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE
MARI-ANNE KEHLER, CDP
As chief strategy officer and a partner, Mari-Anne Kehler, CDP, is known as dynamic and transformational leader at GHJ. A longtime advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, Mari-Anne uses her platform to create a better workplace for all. In 2020, she became a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP).
Mari-Anne was brought on to GHJ’s Executive Committee due to her ability to embrace change and challenges. Her innovative mindset was key to helping GHJ pivot during the business disruption caused by COVID-19. Additionally, she is managing the design and launch of GHJ’s firm-wide client experience program, creating a formalized approach to enhance client relationships.
Previously, Mari-Anne was featured as an LA Times DEIA visionary honoree and finalist for their Inspirational Women in Business Awards. Mari-Anne was also nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Awards and previously named one of their “Most Influential Marketer.” She also recieved the CMO Club’s “CMO Transformation Award” for her ability to lead company-wide brand transformation.
A FIRM OF THE FUTURE
By continually investing in the next generation of leaders, resources and technology, GHJ is transforming its vision and passion into tangible results for its clients and people. The Firm’s goal is to support and nurture its leaders to best serve and strategically advise its clients. By leveraging core values, these new partners will create a framework that fosters long-term relationships for future success and growth, all while mentoring and shaping the young professionals who follow them.