The accounting leaders featured here were selected from the Oct. 22 Business Journal list of the largest North Bay accounting firms. They are listed alphabetically by last name.Jeff Belingheri, managing partner Bregante + Company330 Ignacio Blvd., Ste 201, Novato 94949, bcocpa.com, 415-883-4262
Jeff Belingheri is a managing partner at Bregante + Company. A CPA since 1993, Mr. Belingheri has a master of science degree in taxation from Golden Gate University and a bachelor's in business administration and finance from California Polytechnic State University.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Belingheri worked in the audit department at Price Waterhouse, working exclusively with high-tech startups. He now works primarily with startups, closely held businesses and individuals. Greg A. Bennett, managing partner G & J Seiberlich & Co. LLP3264 Villa Ln., Napa 94558, gjscollp.com, 707-224-7948
[caption id="attachment_65027" align="alignleft" width="180"] Greg Bennett[/caption]
Greg Bennett has been with G & J Seiberlich & Co. LLP since 1983 and became a partner in 1987. Prior to working at G & J Seiberlich & Co. LLP, he was with an East Bay CPA firm. Mr. Bennett received his bachelor of arts from University of California, Santa Cruz, with a degree in modern society and social thought and was headed to law school. Circumstances in his life, at that time, dictated another direction, and he entered the field of public accounting, having worked his way through college working in CPA firms, thereafter, taking undergraduate and graduate courses at Golden Gate University and Cal State University Hayward.
G & J Seiberlich focuses on industries that are strong in the Napa Valley, including wine, hospitality, professional services, manufacturing, distribution, real estate and medical companies.Bret Blyth, managing partnerBrown Holder Alfaro & Co1344 Adams St., St. Helena 94574, brownholder.com, 707-963-9494
[caption id="attachment_65028" align="alignleft" width="180"] Bret Blyth[/caption]
Breton “Bret” Blyth is a managing partner at Brown Holder Alfaro & Co. He assumed that role in June, and has been a partner since 2006.
Mr. Blyth, who began working at the St. Helena office full-time in 1996, has focused primarily on assisting winery and vineyard clients during his time at the firm, with an emphasis on taxation. He is a graduate of Sonoma State University, and received a master’s of science in taxation from Golden Gate University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and serves as director and treasurer for the Napa Valley Wine Library Association and as board member and treasurer for Legal Aid of Napa Valley.David Brotemarkle, managing partner Brotemarkle, Davis & Company899 Adams St., Ste. H, St. Helena 94574, bdcocpa.com, 707-963-4466
David Brotemarkle has been with the firm since 1990, and is currently a managing partner. He specializes in tax and business advising, and uses that specialty with clients including the wine and hospitality industry.
Mr. Brotemarkle has served as the president of the St. Helena Rotary Club and as the chairman of the city’s chamber of commerce. He has been a CPA for over 25 years and holds an accounting degree from California State University, Long Beach.Norm Capper, managing partnerFriedlander Cherwon Capper, LLP1101 Fifth Ave., Ste. 350, San Rafael 94901, fcccpas.com, 415-456-5500
[caption id="attachment_65029" align="alignleft" width="180"] Norm Capper[/caption]
As the firm’s founding and managing partner, Norm Capper has over 28 years of experience in accounting, taxation, management consulting and finance. He assumes primary responsibility for firm clients whose industries include manufacturing, retail, wholesale, real estate, service, technology, and construction.
He is a tax specialist with a master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University and consults in a wide variety of areas including business formation, sale, and dissolution, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, partnership and syndicate structuring, employee fringe benefits, retirement, estate, family succession, and real estate planning. Mr. Capper serves on the advisory board to the dean of taxation of Golden Gate University and has fostered a strong affiliation between the firm and the university, resulting in many of the firm’s partners and employees having become graduates of the Master’s in Taxation Program.
In the mid 1980s and into the 1990s, Mr. Capper was an early advocate of mid-range and low-end accounting software, and he continues to advise clients in these areas. In the area of management consulting, he works extensively with business owners on financial statement analysis and interpretation.