Overview
Crystal joined CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) as an audit principal in January 2017 when GALLINA LLP joined the firm. Before CLA Crystal worked for five years as the controller of a privately held sales and distribution company after working for six years as an operations manager with two large financial institutions. In addition to her responsibilities at CLA, she has taught various accountancy courses at California State University Sacramento (CSUS) since 1997 and currently teaches graduate level accounting courses at the University of California at Davis.
Crystal believes in treating clients like valued customers. For her, this means taking an active interest in each client's business, listening and spending time with them, and developing a relationship that doesn't just endure, but also adds value. To this end, Crystal goes out of her way to answer clients' questions, give frank opinions, and proactively look for ways to benefit them. She never treats an audit as simply a compliance task, but as an opportunity to identify ways to do things better.
Technical experience
Defined contribution (401K) plans
Defined benefit plans
Employee stock ownership plans
Health and welfare plans
Education
Master of Science in Accountancy, California State University Sacramento
Master of Business Administration, California State University Sacramento
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts (Political Science) California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
In the community
Five Star Bank, director, loan committee member and audit committee chair
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Western Pension & Benefits Council, Sacramento Chapter
International Socieity of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
National Institute of Pension Administrators, Sacramento Chapter
California State University Sacramento, College of Business Advisory Council