Firm Profile
Building lasting partnerships through expert financial guidance and personalized service
Our Approach
We believe in the value of relationships. We view every client relationship like a partnership, and truly believe that our success is a result of your success. We are committed to providing close, personal attention to our clients. We take pride in giving you the assurance that the personal assistance you receive comes from years of advanced training, technical experience and financial acumen.
Our Core Values
- Commitment to Excellence
- Personal Attention
- Technical Expertise
- Continuous Education
- Strong Business Relationships
- Integrity and Accountability
Our Services
Tax Planning & Preparation
Expert tax strategies to minimize liability and maximize returns for individuals and businesses.
Business Management
Comprehensive financial management solutions to help your business thrive and grow.
Accounting Services
Full-service bookkeeping, financial statements, and accounting support.
Payroll Services
Efficient payroll processing and compliance management for businesses of all sizes.
Business Consulting
Strategic guidance to help you make informed decisions and achieve your business goals.
IRS Representation
Professional representation and advocacy for audits and tax disputes.
Our Team
Jim Caskey, CPA
Partner
James Caskey has over 30 years experience in public and private accounting including financial management and consulting services, tax preparation and compliance services, and business management services primarily to the entertainment industry.
His clients are involved in both wholesale and retail industries, real estate, entertainment and various medical related businesses. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA and the California Society of CPAs.
Warren Mandell, CPA
Partner
Warren Mandell is one of the founding partners of Caskey, Mandell, Karp & Block, LLP with over 25 years experience in public and private accounting. He has a wide range of accounting, tax and business management experience which enables him to provide relevant and timely advice to businesses owners and individuals.
He specializes in the fields of entertainment, real estate, medical and private industry. His experience has equipped him to deal effectively on behalf of his clients on issues related to tax planning, tax preparation, compliance and consulting services. Warren is a Certified Public Accountant who is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant and the California Society of CPAs.
Steve Grover, CPA
Partner
Steve joined our Firm as a partner in January 2018 after having been the managing partner and director of the auditing and accounting department of a dual state (California and Nevada) CPA firm from 1986 through 2017. Previously, Steve began his career in public accounting at Touche Ross & Co. (which later merged into Deloitte).
Steve has spent forty-three years in public accounting, primarily in the areas of real estate entities of all types, manufacturing, distribution companies, service-oriented companies, employee benefit plans, and not-for-profit entities. Steve is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.
David R. Stern, CPA
Partner
David is the co-managing partner of Caskey Mandell Karp & Block, LLP and has worked in public accounting for over 35 years. He is a licensed certified public accountant in California. He provides various accounting, tax and business advisory services to closely-held businesses with a specialty in the fields of entertainment, medical, real estate and legal services.
David has been published in various newspapers and he has been voted the ‘Best Accountant on the Westside’ by The Argonaut newspaper. David is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) CPA and the California Society of CPAS.
Edgar A. Estrada, CPA MBT
Partner
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Edgar A. Estrada graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2013 with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting & Business Administration, respectively. A year later, in 2014, Edgar obtained his Master’s in Business Taxation (MBT) from USC. After earning his master’s degree, Edgar began working at a business management firm located in West
Los Angeles in 2014. In 2016, he joined CMKB, LLP. Over the course of his ten years since joining the
firm, his roles and responsibilities quickly expanded. He is proficient in accounting, business
management, consulting and taxation for clients in the Entertainment & Real Estate industries.
Edgar excels in tax research, advising in tax transactions in either the entertainment & real estate industries, absorbing and retaining new information quickly and lastly, is tasked with leading the firm towards the future. Above all else, Edgar has a team first mentality and enjoys assisting/guiding his growing CMKB team members as the need arises. Edgar became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2015.
Outside of the office, Edgar enjoys spending his free time exploring/ traveling, cooking, attending concerts/live events, and values spending quality time with his family.
Bob Johnson, CPA
Bob joined our Firm as our resident tax-guru in January 2018 after having been the director of the tax department of a dual state (California and Nevada) CPA Firm from 1986 through 2017. Previously, Bob had been with Arthur Andersen & Co., where he began his career, and Kenneth Leventhal & Co. (which later merged into Ernst & Young). Bob holds a Masters in Business Taxation from the University of Southern California and has spent the better part of forty–five years in public accounting, primarily in the partnership arena and C & S Corporation taxation.
Bob also has extensive experience in personal income taxation. Bob stands on two principles: (1) constructive and creative tax planning, and (2) timely filing of income tax returns. Bob’s tax planning includes the traditional interim and year-end tax planning for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and trusts and their respective shareholders, partners or beneficiaries as well as estate planning.
Meghna Sampat, CPA, EA
Senior Tax Supervisor
Meghna Sampat is a Tax Manager at CMKB LLP with deep expertise in public accounting and tax advisory services. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of California, an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service, and a Chartered Accountant from India. She also holds a master’s degree in Accounting and Economics.
Since joining CMKB LLP in May 2020, Meghna has led the preparation and review of financial statements and federal and multi-state tax returns for a broad range of corporate and non-corporate clients. Her practice focuses on complex income tax compliance, strategic tax planning, audit support, and advisory services for individuals and businesses.
Prior to CMKB LLP, Meghna served as a Senior Tax Consultant at a private firm in Santa Monica, California. She previously built a strong foundation in statutory audits, corporate compliance, and strategic planning through her professional experience with Deloitte and Johnson & Johnson in India.
Meghna is based in Redondo Beach, California, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and cooking.
Nick Grover, CPA
Senior Tax Supervisor
Nick Grover is a Senior Tax Supervisor with CMKB LLP and has 15 years of experience.
He joined the firm in 2018 and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant with the State of
California. He graduated from UC Irvine in 2011.
Caelum Magee, CPA
Senior Tax Supervisor
A Southern California native of Pasadena, Caelum Magee graduated from Bucknell University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Financial Management with a focus on accounting. Immediately after graduation, Caelum began working at CMKB LLP. Over the course of his tenure at the firm, Caelum’s roles and responsibilities have expanded exponentially.
Proficient in accounting, individual and business tax return preparation, as well as client-facing communication, Caelum excels in absorbing and retaining new information quickly and is always available to assist a team member or client in need. After five years with the firm, Caelum took time away to obtain his CPA license. He has since returned as a licensed professional with a renewed passion and commitment to providing personalized financial services to help individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals.
Outside of the office Caelum enjoys spending his free time gaming with friends, traveling to exotic locations, and spending time with his pet corgi, Comet.
Valerie Tuengel
Senior Business Manager
Valerie is Senior Business Manager with CMKB LLP. She is a licensed Certified Public
Accountant with the State of California and began her career at Arthur Andersen & Co.
Valerie joined CMKB in 2021 as part of our Business Management team.
She has worked in both the public and private sectors, including corporate roles as Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, and Financial Reporting Supervisor, in addition to working directly for wealthy individuals later in her career.
Prior to joining CMKB, LLP she was employed for 10 years as the accountant for a high-net-worth individual. She performed the accounting for their personal business in addition to the accounting for their several houses, staff, and two charitable
foundations.
Her more than 25 years of experience in the accounting field has developed her expertise in financial statements, reporting, analysis, problem solving, communication, and working as a team player.
She lives in Granada Hills with her husband and numerous pets. She enjoys traveling and reading in her free time.