Alice Kim CPA
Partner
In 2005, Alice Kim co-founded Magnolia Group, LLP. Today, she has over twenty-five years of experience in public accounting, with a special focus on tax consulting for high net worth individuals and corporate executives. Prior to founding Magnolia Group, Alice worked at KPMG, Ernst & Young, Frank Rimerman & Co and Burr Pilger & Mayer.
As an expert in tax consulting and stock option planning, Alice helps individuals and closely-held entities with strategic stock option and tax planning, in addition to meeting any and all compliance deadlines.
Additional facts about Alice Kim:
Stock option planning
BS in Accounting from George Mason University
California Society of Certified Public Accountants
All three of her children are enthusiastic soccer players
Katie Sims CPA, Partner
Partner
Katie Sims is one of the founding partners of Magnolia Group, LLP. For over twenty-five years, she has prepared tax returns for high net worth individuals and closely-held entities within a range of industries from real estate to technology and professional service firms. Her income tax planning expertise includes complex tax planning involving real estate and stock options.
Katie also has extensive experience assisting clients in marital dissolution cases. Her forensic accounting expertise includes acting as an expert for one or both parties, or as a court-appointed, neutral expert. Katie has qualified as an expert in family law cases and has testified numerous times as an expert witness in both Santa Clara and San Mateo County Superior Courts.
Additional facts about Katie Sims:
Forensic accounting
BS in Business Administration and Accounting from University of the Pacific
CSCPA, Cal Society of CPAs Family Law Forensic Section
Alumni of the San Jose Leadership Program
Katie has a love of traveling that she and her husband hope to share with their two young girls.
Connie Buenrostro, Office Manager
Office Manager
Bilingual in Spanish and highly efficient, Connie handles all the internal workings of our office. When you first contact Magnolia Group, it’s Connie who will greet and guide you. She is a great place to start with any questions, as Connie is also responsible for all billing inquiries, managing the partners’ calendars and handling case management for the forensic projects.
Wendy C. Bastis, CFA
Litigation Manager
Wendy has over 20 years experience in the financial services and accounting industries. She has worked extensively with individuals, families and non-profits to achieve their financial goals, including assisting clients with bookkeeping, bill payment and budgeting. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Wendy is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter Holder and a member of the California Society of CPAs.
She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Forensic Accounting and has been a Manager in Magnolia Group’s family law forensic services practice since early 2018.
Renae Lisec, Staff Accountant
Staff Accountant
Renae is a staff accountant in our forensic services group. She efficiently summarizes account transactions as well as handles and organizes all of the documents received for our litigation cases. Prior to working at Magnolia, Renae has held a variety of roles in customer service and program management, and she graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology.