MICHAEL
H. LESTER, JD, CPA
1990 Westwood Blvd. #200
Los Angeles CA 90025
310-446-0088 (Phone)
mhl@michael-lester.com
(e-mail)
http://www.michael-lester.com
(web page)
Accomplishments:
·
Founder of
successful business management practice
·
Partner in
successful business management CPA firm
·
Co-founder
of successful private elementary school, served as Board Member for three
years, and co-chaired the Finance Committee (Pro Bono)
·
Board
member and Treasurer of FOTO, a non-profit organization providing financial and
operational support to the Griffith Observatory
·
Offered
partnership in the law firm of Gibson & Williams in 1980
·
Co-founded
new-media internet start-up as CFO and General Counsel
·
November
1996 Journal of Accountancy article spotlighting web-site created in August
1995
·
Creative
tax planning for individuals, small businesses, and publicly held companies
·
Persuaded
planning committee of General Electric to retain over-funded ESOP in
acquisition of American Telecommunications Corp
·
Developed
numerous business and personal relationships within entertainment industry
·
Achieved
fluency in Mandarin Chinese and graduated at top of class at the Defense
Language Institute
·
Organized
and co-chaired 30 year reunion of Air Force Mandarin Chinese Linguists, Class
of 1966 (04)
·
Author of
four original screenplays
Education:
·
Wayne State
University
·
Detroit,
Michigan
·
Juris
Doctor
·
1973 to
1975
·
Bachelor of
Arts, Major in Accounting
·
1970 to
1973
Professional
Experience:
·
Michael H.
Lester, JD, CPA, Business Management
·
Los
Angeles, California
·
November
1987 to Present
·
Sole proprietor of business management practice representing
primarily entertainment industry clients and their loan-out corporations.
Services include budgeting, bill-paying, credit management, income, gift,
trust, and estate tax planning and preparation, representation before the IRS,
compliance with reporting requirements, payroll tax, financial counseling and
advice, pension plans, insurance, purchase and sale of assets, financial
aspects of legal matters, and purchase and management of investment properties.
Clients include Cheryl Ladd, Daniel Baldwin, Michael Kozoll, Linda Kozlowski,
and Jared Padalecki. Strong relationships with entertainment industry studios,
networks, agents, managers, publicists, attorneys, and guilds.
·
Fizzi.com
·
Los
Angeles, California
·
September
1999 to February 2000
Co-founder,
CFO, and General Counsel of new media Internet start-up. Instrumental in
completing business plan, preparing forward-looking statements and projections,
raising first-round financing of $1,000,000, and in establishing numerous
contacts with angel investors, venture capitalists, and investment bankers for
later round financing. Well-established relationships with top-tier law firms,
CPA firms, and merchant banks. Well-rounded computer and Internet knowledge and
experience.
·
Francis,
Freedman & Lester Accountancy Corporation
·
Beverly
Hills, California
·
January
1981 to November 1987
Engaged
in business management practice representing over 100 primarily entertainment
industry clients. Worked closely with high-income individual clients and their
loan-out corporations, including tax planning, and trust and estate planning.
Clients included Paul Mazursky, Leonard Nimoy, Gavin McLeod, Farrah Fawcett,
Ryan O'Neal, and Martin Ransohoff.
·
Robert V.
Gibson, Law Offices
·
Newport
Beach, California
·
September
1976 to December 1980
Associate
attorney practicing tax, business, and corporate law representing small,
medium, and publicly held companies. Practice included sophisticated tax and
business planning, trust and estate planning, creation of tax shelters,
preparation of private offering circulars, securities, mergers and
acquisitions. Offered partnership in 1980.
·
Peat,
Marwick, Mitchell & Co.
·
Detroit,
Michigan
·
September
1973 to September 1976
Staff
accountant/CPA engaged in income tax, and trust and estate tax research,
planning, and preparation for “big 8” CPA firm.
Military:
·
United
States Air Force
·
Honorable
Discharge
·
Air Medal,
Commendation
·
Achieved
fluency in Mandarin Chinese
·
1965 to
1969
Organizations:
·
Active
Member of State Bar of California
·
Admitted to
Practice before the United States Tax Court
·
Licensed by
State of California State Board of Accountancy
·
Member
AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
·
Member
CSCPA (California Society of Certified Public Accountants)
Pro Bono:
·
Founder, Former Member of
Board of Directors, and Former Co-Chairman of the Finance Committee of “The
Willows Community School,” a thriving and well-respected private, non-profit
community elementary school in Culver City, California
·
Former Member of Board of
Directors of "Singita" a non-profit animal sanctuary located in Los
Angeles, California, founded by Buddy Hackett and Sherry Hackett
·
Member of Board of Directors
and Treasurer of FOTO (“Friends of the Observatory”), a non-profit organization
providing financial and operational support to the Griffith Observatory