Eric Kalter, CPA

CEO

Registered Investment Advisor

Eric Kalter founded Kalter Financial Group in 1985. With over 35 years of experience in Tax and Accounting and over 15 years in Financial Services, he is a leader in the industries.

His expertise in Advanced Tax Planning, litigation support, and health care accounting is extensive. He provides knowledge and experience as an expert witness not only in Advanced Tax Saving Strategies, but also on Estate Planning, Asset Protection, and Alternative Investing. He strives to build strong relationships with his clients by providing them with innovative and reliable work, as well as consistent tax and financial services.

Eric graduated from California State University of Fullerton in 1982 with his BA in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and finance. In 1984, he received his CPA license.

Eric lives in Southern California with his beautiful wife Charmagne. He is a proud grandfather to three, and enjoys taking them to see the Angels play. He also enjoys BBQing at the office and sharing his hidden talent with his team.

John McAleese, EA

Senior Tax Manager

John McAleese is our senior tax manager and has over 25 years’ experience in working with the owners of closely held companies and individuals to reduce on of their biggest liabilities, “Taxes”. He has been admitted to practive before the IRS as an enrolled agent, as well as all 50 state agencies, in all areas of taxation. He is well-versed in US tax law and US Tax Court cases. He specializes in tax minimization strategies, entity structuring and restructuring, corporations, partnerships, and individual taxation, as well as representation before the IRS regarding negotiations, audits, and appeals. In his many years of practice, he has been exposed to a variety of businesses and has an excellent knowledge of most industries.
In his free time, John enjoys spending time in the water, surfing, and fishing. John and his wife reside in Whittier.

Miguel A. Barriga, CPA

Senior Tax Consultant

Investment Advisor Representative

Miguel Barriga has over 10 years of tax and accounting experience working with various types of entities. His areas of expertise include accounting and assurance, individual and corporate tax compliance, tax and financial planning, general business consultation, budgeting and cash flow projections, and representation before taxing authorities.

He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where he graduated Cum Laude. He further met the rigorous requirements necessary to obtain his CPA license. His other professional licenses include Series 65 Investment Advisor Representative and CA Notary.

Miguel has been married to his beautiful wife Claudia for over seven years and they have a handsome little boy named Michael. He enjoys spending as much of his free time as he can with his family. They enjoy going to the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park and on family bike rides at Irvine and Yorba Linda Regional Parks.

Ronnie Durna, CPA

Family Office Advisor

Ronnie Durna is a member of our accounting and financial services team. Prior to joining Kalter Company, he worked with Fortune 500 companies as an auditor at Deloitte LLP. During his time there, he gained experience in financial reporting, cash flow analysis, financial statement analysis, tax analysis, business consulting, and complex accounting transactions.

He graduated Summa Cum Laude with his undergraduate degree in accounting from University of La Verne. He further met the rigorous requirements necessary to obtain his CPA license.

In his free time, Ronnie enjoys spending time with his family and friends, cycling throughout Southern California, as well as golfing wherever he can make time. He has also participated in a charitable 150- mile bike ride in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and plans to participate in future charitable rides.

Abslan Velasquez

Senior Accountant

Abslan Velasquez has over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Payroll and Income Tax Preparation for both Corporations and Individuals. His skill set includes tax projections and business analysis to determine client tax liabilities.

He received his BA in Business and Math at Private High School Cristobal Colon, and graduated with a score of 98%. After completing two years of Education in the University of ESPOL in Guayaquil, Abslan received his accounting degree. Each year he completes 20 hours of tax education to remain knowledgeable in the tax law updates and keep his CTEC Tax Preparer License renewed.

Abslan enjoys talking about the latest soccer news and watching La Liga (A Soccer League from Spain) play every weekend. His favorite team is Barcelona and feels privileged to watch one of the best players in the world—Leonel Messi. He has also played the past two years on a local team.

Claudia Ariza

Senior Accountant

Claudia Ariza has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and consulting. She has been with Kalter Financial Group since 2005.

She received her BA in Accounting from Santo Tomas University in Colombia. She also specialized in Corporate Finance from Javeriana University in Colombia.

Claudia enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Jeanette Guerra

Payroll Manager

Jeanette Guerra began her career at Kalter Financial Group in 2007 as part of the administration staff. Within five years she was in charge of coordinating the tax department and tax season. She created procedures to assist the company in achieving an increase in tax return processing and a reduction in errors by 20%.

With more than 20 years of experience in customer service and administration, she applies expert knowledge, industry experience, and relentless energy to solve and complete projects. Today, Jeanette specializes in working with over 90 companies with employees by running their payroll and taking care of everything that is involved.

Jeanette is married to her high school sweetheart and in her free time she enjoys crafting, baking, cooking, and mercilessly teasing her two teens.

Jo Stephen

Accounts Receivables and Payables

Jo Stephen has been a member of our team since 2005, specializing in Entity Formation and Trademark Applications. With over 25 years of experience in accounting and tax offices, she is also responsible for Kalter Financial Group’s Accounts Receivable and Payables, and for electronically filing all of our clients’ income tax returns.

Jo received her BA in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton.

She sang and played rhythm guitar in a local band for 22 years, loves to travel to Hawaii, and enjoys a game of golf and Disneyland, all in an effort to keep her work and home life balanced.