About our Firm
Background
Ahlstrom & Baker, CPAs partnership has been practicing public accounting since 1986. The partnership consists of two partners who are CPAs: Tom Ahlstrom and Dave Baker. They both began their careers at the Los Angeles office of Price Waterhouse. Their goal is to provide their clients with personalized quality service at competitive rates.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help clients maintain financial viability in the present while taking a proactive approach to achieve future goals. This requires open communication to reach an understanding of our clients' needs, thorough research, and sound analysis. Ahlstrom & Baker, CPAs is dedicated to meeting these goals with high standards of excellence and professionalism.
Our Team
Tom Ahlstrom has extensive experience in tax services and financial services, including business planning and personal wealth management. His experience includes a broad range of industries emphasizing in wholesale distributors, retailers, physicians, dentists, and other professional service providers.
Tom graduated in April of 1982 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting. After working several years for Price Waterhouse, he began working for a smaller firm that he and his partner, Dave Baker, eventually acquired in 1986. Ever since then he has been an owner of Ahlstrom & Baker, CPAs. Tom heads up the tax side of the partnership specializing in small business corporations, partnerships and individuals. Tom also provides trust and estate tax preparation services.
Tom’s Certificates include:- Certified Public Accountant from the State of California
- Series 7 Securities License
- California Insurance License
In response to increased demand for financial services, Tom Ahlstrom launched Ahlstrom Financial Services and now offers a wide variety of financial services. He is also a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
His interests include swimming and outdoor recreation with his wife and children, religious service, photography, and videography.
tom@ahlstrombaker.com (714) 527-7272
dave@ahlstrombaker.com
David Baker graduated in September of 1983 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accounting Concentration. He provided excellent service to Price Waterhouse, a major accounting firm, for several years after graduation. He then began working for a smaller CPA practice that he, along with his partner, Tom Ahlstrom, acquired in 1986. He is now an owner of Ahlstrom & Baker, CPAs.
Dave earned his Certified Public Accountant certificate from the State of California in May of 1986.
Dave heads up the audit and accounting side of the partnership specializing in auditing, with an emphasis on companies’ pension and retirement audits. His experience includes a broad range of industries emphasizing in manufacturing companies, wholesale distributors, and employee benefit plans.
David Baker is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
His interests include recreational and professional sports. He especially enjoys basketball.
mandy@ahlstrombaker.com
Mandy Ng graduated from California State Long Beach in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, she began providing accounting and clerical services for several companies.
In August 2004 Mandy began working for Ahlstrom & Baker, CPAs and currently offers excellent professional assistance to Tom and Dave.
To add to her professional accounting abilities, Mandy Ng is also a Quick Books Certified Advisor.
Her interests include exercising and healthy living. She is also completely fluent in English and Chinese.
carolyn@ahlstrombaker.com
Carolyn Calderon attended El Camino college where she worked on a business degree. Her work experience the accounting departments of Verizon and Northrop. Prior to working for Ahlstrom & Baker, Carolyn was the senior financial accountant for the Edelbrock Corporation, a manufacturer of car parts with over 500 employees. She was responsible for their payroll, general ledger, and financial statements including their 401(k) plan.
In September 2006, Carolyn began working for Ahlstrom Baker, CPAs and currently specializes with Dave in providing pension plan audits.
Her interests include being a soccer mom, tennis and the outdoors. Carolyn is married with two children.
jmiller@ahlstrombaker.com
Julie Buma attended Long Beach City college studying general education. She came to work for her uncle’s CPA firm while she was still in school. The firm eventually became Ahlstrom & Baker, CPAs. Julie wears several hats acting as the office manager, receptionist, and secretary. Julie is also adept at payroll issues and assists in the preparation of the payroll returns.
Julie is married with two children and enjoys gardening, playing roller hockey, and being outdoors.
