Jeff Nigro, CPA, CFE
Jeff began his accounting career in 1991, immediately after graduating from California State University, Fullerton. He worked at a public accounting firm for nearly nine years before leaving to become a fiscal services manager at a large school district. Jeff started the CPA firm of Nigro & Nigro in 1999.

Jeff is known for providing clients with an outstanding customer service experience. “Clients should expect nothing less”, Jeff believes. “If a client calls or e-mails, our company policy is to respond within 24 hours. There is no excuse for leaving a client hanging.” This approach to his work fosters a strong sense of loyalty among his clients. As a result, client turnover in the firm is among the lowest in the industry.

His clients currently include K-12 school districts, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, homeowners associations, and others. As a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Jeff also has a passion for helping clients to develop and implement strong anti-fraud programs within their organizations.

Jeff has lived in Murrieta since 1998, and is married with five children and one granddaughter. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys travel, particularly to Kauai, hiking, fishing, L.A. Kings hockey, and Angels baseball. Jeff is a certified scuba diver and is currently learning to speak Italian.

> jnigro@nncpas.com

 
Elizabeth Nigro, CPA
Elizabeth began her public accounting career in 1996, immediately after graduating from California State University, San Bernardino. But her passion for helping clients with the complex area of tax began ten years earlier, working as a local tax practitioner. She honed her tax skills for ten years before completing her accounting degree. After graduating, she went to work at a public accounting firm to gain valuable accounting experience, and then at a large school district. Elizabeth and her husband Jeff started the CPA firm of Nigro & Nigro in 1999.

Elizabeth has a very loyal client base, and it is a direct result of her personal involvement with each and every one of her clients. “It is critical to take the time to understand every client’s unique situation and their concerns before I work on a solution for them.” Elizabeth also spends a significant amount of her time on professional development and research, so that she can always stay “up-to-the-minute” on the latest laws and regulations that affect her clients.

She currently provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to her clients, which include individuals, partnerships, corporations, privately-owned businesses, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, Elizabeth oversees the firm’s Business Consulting Group, which affords her the opportunity to work with many other different types of clients, including school districts, charter schools, and special districts.

Elizabeth has lived in the Temecula Valley since 1983, and is married with five children and one granddaughter. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, particularly to Kauai, hiking, gardening and reading. Her favorite hobby of the last few years, however, is being a grandmother. She enjoys spoiling her granddaughter at every opportunity.

> enigro@nncpas.com

 
CJ Gaunder, CPA
CJ began her accounting career in 2001 after obtaining her accounting degree with DeVry University. She worked with one of the largest investment management companies, The Capital Group Companies. She began her public accounting career with Nigro & Nigro in 2005, and she was promoted to partner in September 2010.

CJ gains her greatest job satisfaction from helping her clients to navigate the confusing waters of generally accepted accounting principles. Her clients enjoy working with her because she takes the time to understand their viewpoints. CJ excels at building relationships with each of her clients and taking the time to understand their needs.

In her current position with the firm, she works with K-12 school districts, county offices, charter schools, and non-profit organizations. She is also working towards obtaining her Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) license. CJ enjoys working with all of her clients, but particularly the unique needs of non-profits.

CJ makes her home in Perris, where she lives with her husband and her daughter. She enjoys trying new food, playing volleyball, and reading. Like many people at the firm, CJ enjoys travelling the most. But no one has been to Fiji as often as she has. After being born and raised on the island of Viti Levu, she moved to California, but has returned to Fiji on a few occasions.

> cjgaunder@nncpas.com

 
Kevin Brejnak, CPA, CFE Kevin Brejnak, CPA, CFE
Kevin began his accounting career with Nigro & Nigro in 2007, immediately after graduating from California State University, San Marcos. He spent three years as part of the management team before being promoted to partner in January 2013.

Kevin puts his clients at ease with his relaxed and easy-going nature. Although accounting can have moments of frustration for some, Kevin can always be seen with a smile and a positive attitude. This approach to his work, along with his wry sense of humor has earned the respect of clients and colleagues alike.

His clients currently include K-12 school districts and charter schools, but after earning his certification as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Kevin is also well poised to help clients in many different industries as well. Kevin is on the Finance Professional Council for the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Eastern Section and the Budget & Finance Task Force for the California Special Districts Association (CSDA). He is also actively involved in recruiting new employees to the firm.

Kevin resides in Murrieta, and was married in June, 2011. When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and is a grill master with his own barbecue sauce and smoker. Destinations on his travel bucket list include returning to Paris as well as visiting London, Dublin and Berlin. He is also a general manager for multiple fantasy sports teams, and is a “tough luck” fan of the two San Diego teams the Padres and Chargers.

> kbrejnak@nncpas.com