EMPLOYEE TESTIMONIALS

Here are comments which our team members have added to our manual for your further knowledge about our firm and its members:

“While I was attending college, I remember reading “In Search of Excellence” by Tom Peters. I was working for a firm where you could only have one pen and pencil on your desk, could never leave 2 minutes early on a Friday afternoon and everything was very regimented. I dreamt of being employed by a firm where management appreciated and acknowledged a good job.

17 years ago I found that job… and SO much more. We have two owners who are SO incredible. I love telling friends, family and even strangers about all the blessings I have at work. My husband, who works for the government, tells me all the time how lucky I am to have such a great job and wonders if they would hire him! Friends are always amazed at the appreciation and generosity my bosses have.

I appreciate things like if I need a new computer or printer, or anything, all I have to do is ask. If I want to further my education, all I have to do is ask. This is a job I look forward to every day. I also appreciate working with such a high caliber of people. Whenever I have an issue or problem, there is a vast amount of knowledge to tap into with my co-workers. They never have the attitude of "just get the job done", it's an attitude of "get it done right". Being a relatively new tax preparer, my co-workers have patience to share their knowledge with me and I do appreciate that.

Because of the caliber of accountants we have in our firm, we attract great clients too. To me, one of the great perks for working for a firm such as this one is meeting all the wonderful clients and becoming friends with them as well. I know they enjoy working with our firm and they can see how happy we are as employees.

The reason I work as hard as I do is I follow by example. The employers would never ask me to do anything they would not do themselves. During tax season when days and weeks get long, everyone is here working hard and also trying to have fun too. We have had ping-pong and poker tournaments during tax season which lifts everyone’s spirits and brings fun and good competition to the staff. We have a raffle on Fridays and it’s always fun to see what everyone wins. We also have an annual “garage sale” with wonderful things to pick from. Our bosses do everything they can to reward us for our contributions to the firm. Nothing goes unnoticed or unappreciated.

Christmas at our office is unbelievable! I always look forward to a hand-written note of appreciation from John, wonderful gifts from John, Susan and the staff as well. We always enjoy a great lunch and words of appreciation and encouragement for a new year from John & Susan. I think the biggest example of what great employers we have is there are 10 employees (out of 22 total) who have been employed for over 20 years! That says a lot in my book about loving where we work and who we work for”.

Shelley Crivello, EA

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“I have been with Iacopi, Lenz & Co. a little over 6 years and it has been a fulfilling and challenging experience. I came with little experience and big hopes. Throughout the years at I&L, I have worked with many people that possess a wealth of knowledge which allowed me to learn and grow not only in professional capacities but also in interpersonal relationships. I&L really is like a family with many caring people who will go out of their way to help others. It is also a fun environment where employee relations are encouraged and family life outside of work is valued. My life at I&L has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to many more years to come.”

Sunny Williams, CPA

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“I have been employed as a CPA for over 28 years, the last 21 of which have been spent with Iacopi, Lenz and Company. In addition to have been fortunate to work with bright, dedicated, and the caring professionals of this firm, I have enjoyed the numerous relationships I have developed and maintained with clients and professionals in other fields of work. Since no client is completely alike, my work primarily in the field of taxation and small business consulting has always brought me new challenges to assess and assist with my clients. That aspect has helped me grow and kept me interested in my profession.”

James J. Acosta, CPA

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I have been a member of the Iacopi, Lenz & Company team for four years. The Firm is unlike anywhere else I have worked in the past. The work environment is one of hard work at the same time maintaining a light hearted and fun atmosphere. The various type of services that I work in range in broad scope from traditional assurance and tax services to a broader range of consulting services in business valuation and marital dissolution work. I am encouraged to broaden my work scope and as a result find that I am constantly challenged with new and interesting client work. It is a privilege and honor to work at Iacopi, Lenz & Company and I hope the Firm’s view is the same considering working with me.

Louis B. Machado, CPA, CVA

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Iacopi, Lenz & Company has provided me with the opportunity to develop my knowledge of the accounting profession and grow as a person. John Iacopi has been an amazing teacher who included me in meetings and on phone conferences when I first entered the accounting profession. This time was invaluable to the learning process and is only one example of the interaction among those at Iacopi, Lenz & Company. The support and guidance provided by everyone in the firm from secretaries to partners cannot be matched elsewhere. I truly feel part of a team and know I can depend on others to be there when I need their assistance, both professionally and personally. Susan Lenz is an excellent role model as a successful professional working woman, who has taught me to balance the life of a professional, mother, wife and volunteer.

Kathleen M. Solari, CPA

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The reason I chose Iacopi, Lenz & Company over a regional firm was all because of the people and the atmosphere of the office. Everyone is so talented in what they do and they all have a fun personality. Here at the office we’re like one big family; we work hard and play even harder. The quality of attention and service given to the employees flows through to the client. If you truly want to know what it’s like to be appreciated, then definitely join our firm, you won’t regret it.

Myra Garcia, CPA

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I’m still not sure how she found me. I wasn’t looking for a new job; I didn’t even have an up-to-date resume. Yet somehow, ten years ago, a headhunter from Sacramento called me and asked if I’d be willing to interview for a job in Stockton. I had no idea where Stockton was, but I thought I’d give it a shot. Ten years later, I’m sure thankful I answered that headhunter’s phone call.

Despite 10 years of service, I rank 14th out of 17 CPA’s in seniority. That right there tells you about the loyalty of our employees and speaks volumes of how well John and Susan treat us.

Iacopi, Lenz & Company has helped me broaden my skills by allowing me to work on many different types of engagements including tax planning and preparation, audit work, marital dissolution, business valuations, estate planning and many other types of engagements. At this firm you are not stuck doing the “same old” boring accounting work.

We are also encouraged to be creative and innovative. No matter your status with the Firm, your innovative ideas are always encouraged. We are always striving to step out of the typical CPA mode and offer our clients something they can’t get at other CPA firms.

Goals and accomplishments are also a big deal here at Iacopi, Lenz & Company. Your accomplishments, which John and Susan read at the end of each year, really allow you to “crow” about the year you’ve had and recap what value you added to the Firm. Your goals for the next year are also read over thoroughly by the Partners. Each employee discusses their goals with John and he encourages you to better yourself by striving for more than you think you can achieve.

I haven’t even mentioned all the fun things we do here at I&L. From tax season poker tournaments, ping-pong tournaments, lunches, chair massages and raffle prizes, John and Susan really try and make the office feel like home during a busy tax season.

It’s tough for a staff of over 20 people to always get along, and just like anywhere, we sometimes have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, we are a big family, with a long history together and that is what makes Iacopi, Lenz & Company a special place to work.

Revo Somersille, CPA

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I’ve worked at Iacopi, Lenz as a bookkeeper for a little over five years and have found it to be both a challenging and wonderful place to work. Challenging in that strong organizational skills, a responsible attitude, and always improving one’s skills are a must. Wonderful, because employees are empowered with the responsibility of keeping up with and tracking the work to be done for their clients and given the appropriate amount of freedom to decide what needs to be done and the best way to get it done. Being trusted with responsibility and successfully getting things accomplished provides work satisfaction which is really important.

Patricia Melton
CPA candidate

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I have worked with the Iacopi, Lenz & Company family for nineteen years. Motivated and inspired by the firm’s leader, John Iacopi, I have learned to set goals, grow my client base, shower clients with service and at the same time work on self improvement and personal growth and inspire others to do the same. We work hard, but have fun doing it. Our hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed and is appreciated not only by our clients but by our leaders. Iacopi, Lenz & Company is my second family and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.

Tami Louie, CPA

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I have worked as a CPA at Iacopi, Lenz and Company for 20 years. Reflecting back, I think that the best part about working here is the flexible hours, the encouragement to achieve, and the sincere appreciation of each team member’s contribution. Most of the employees have flexible work hours to accommodate their family’s schedules, and to meet the seasonal demands. Others, including myself, pursued advanced degrees and managed to schedule work hours around class time. The firm trusts all of us to manage our time to complete assignments efficiently and to produce a quality product, and not necessarily during an 8:00 – 5:00 workday. The firm encouraged and supported my decision to attend law school and allowed me three weeks off in the middle of tax season to take the bar exam. Later I took a one-year sabbatical from accounting to work as an attorney in Las Vegas. It was an exciting place to work, but I can honestly say that working at Iacopi and Lenz is more enjoyable than working in Las Vegas.

Connie Logan, CPA

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Working for Iacopi, Lenz and Company is like being part of a big, wonderful family. There is always someone to offer a helping hand when needed. John and Susan are the head of our working family and are always there for us with much love, support and guidance. We work hard, but also have a lot of fun. Iacopi, Lenz and Company is such a big part of who I am and I feel so very fortunate to work with so many wonderful people.



Kathy Morris-Marr, CPA

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Iacopi, Lenz & Co is a company that values their employees. Employees are given the opportunity to expand their education. We are held to high performance expectations while Iacopi, Lenz and Company understands the value of family and allows flexibility to attend to family needs. The business of accounting may seem dull and boring, but Iacopi, Lenz and Company has a fun, creative and family oriented atmosphere.

Tom Lenz, Business Manager

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When I started at Iacopi, Lenz & Company twelve and a half years ago I was fresh out of college and 22 years old and really nervous…as this was my first career position. My first day came and went, and I never looked back. As I sit here today and reflect on my tenure at this firm, I feel so lucky to be blessed with such a wonderful place to practice my chosen profession. I feel so fortunate to have remarkable employers in John Iacopi and Susan Lenz. They together make this office and work environment a place I want to be involved with and come to each day. I feel Iacopi, Lenz and Company is a place where you work really hard and the benefits are even bigger. The firm and all those in it functions truly as a family. We work hard together and we also find time to have fun…together.

Dina Marasigan, CPA

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I have been a CPA with Iacopi, Lenz and Company since 1984. The firm has provided support and encouragement to allow me to grow and develop my own strengths. I have the freedom to manage my practice and serve my clients according to my own style and needs. The" family" at Iacopi, Lenz and Company provides support for all aspects of my life. The teamwork of excellent professionals has allowed all of us to be involved in challenging projects and achieve many great things. We have had the benefit of participating in many professional and personal development opportunities. The employee benefits and various unique social activities provided by the firm make Iacopi, Lenz and Company a special place to work.

Paula Frago, CPA

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During my nearly 20 years working at Iacopi, Lenz I have learned a lot of things not only from John and Susan, but also from my very intelligent and talented co-workers. Much of what I’ve learned has been accounting and business related…but not everything. I’ve also learned how to be generous, to say thank you and please, to ask for what I want, to have fun (even when I’m working 14 hour days), to have a positive attitude, to balance work and family time and to accept life for the experience that it is.

Kathy J. Huff, CPA

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I started at Iacopi, Lenz & Company after getting fed up with a previous public accounting firm, and deciding to pursue private accounting positions. It took a lot of thought on my part to agree to a temporary assignment with another public accounting firm, but I took the position two years ago, and have not looked back.

Iacopi and Lenz is different from my previous employers because they make a heartfelt effort to let their employees know that they matter as people. It is not just about the money (though that is definitely important), but the people matter too. They make you feel valued through Santa gifts at Christmas, and poker tournaments in our busiest time of the year. They go on group trips and encourage the people in the office to get to know each other. They have faith in their employees that the work will get done, and they trust them to get it done, even if that means they are not working the traditional 8 to 5.

This last year they supported me completely when I took 3 months off to bond with my new daughter. They threw me a baby shower before I left and encouraged me to bring the baby in to introduce her around as soon as we were home from the hospital. They were even understanding and patient as I dealt with morning sickness and super tiredness during tax season. They have waited while I have struggled to find trustworthy childcare after my nanny disappeared at the last moment.

It is the little things like asking how my daughter was, and seeing that we had a great first Christmas that make Iacopi and Lenz different. It is encouraging me to try different avenues of work, and taking time to explain things I do not know (without censure) that makes it a joy to come in to work each day. It is assigning me exciting and different new projects that expand my horizons that made me look forward to returning to work after my maternity leave. And it is knowing that I can adjust my schedule to be available for my daughter (even during the busiest of times) that makes me breathe easier leaving her home each day.

Amber H. Bell, CPA

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I joined Iacopi and Lenz ten years ago and immediately noticed the contrast of this progressive firm to my prior CPA firm. I am pleased to be a part of such an innovative, creative and client-caring firm. I have seen my career blossom and my knowledge base expand tremendously under the guidance of the firms’ leaders and I continue to learn and grow each day at this firm. Opportunities abound here. I have been trained to spot many opportunities and network with others to grow my client base and my own income. I am pleased to be a part of such a progressive organization that indeed thinks outside the box and adds value to those we serve in so many ways.

James H. LaForest, CPA

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Iacopi, Lenz & Company is a company full of opportunities. You have the opportunity to indulge yourself with the experiences, influences and motivational expertise of all our family members, all the while in an atmosphere that is fun loving and caring. The prospects for growth are boundless as the firm projects an open-door policy to all. These standards are also reflected in the services that we provide to our clients. With these thoughts implemented and acted out daily it provides for an exceptional once in a lifetime working environment. I am thankful to be a 24 year member of the Iacopi, Lenz & Company family.

Stacey Rey, Adm. Assistant

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Through the dedication and hard work of John Iacopi and Susan Lenz, Iacopi, Lenz & Company is an office where work and family come together. We work hard towards a common goal of providing excellent service to our clients, and it is appreciated. We give our time, assistance and friendship to each other, and a family atmosphere is created. I am grateful and fortunate to have spent the last 21 years working with such wonderful co-workers.

Mary Urman, Adm. Assistant

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I have only been at Iacopi, Lenz and Company for a few short years but have enjoyed every minute of working with such a wonderful team of professionals. Previously I worked in the corporate world and feel blessed to now be employed with such an outstanding firm. In this day and age of mega corporations it is inspirational and rewarding to work with such a caring and considerate organization. John and Susan (as well as the entire staff) make me feel practically like I’m part of a family as compared to a tiny nameless insignificant person in an organization that has over grown.

Margery Santos, Adm. Assistant

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“Teamwork and Positive Attitude”…are just a few of the many things that make Iacopi, Lenz & Company a great company and a great team to be a part of.

Lilliann McClung, Courier and Adm. Assistant

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I have worked at Iacopi, Lenz & Co since September, 1980 with a two year break in 1989. I have seen the firm grow from 5 of us to its current size of 27 employees. From one CPA to 16. The biggest change over that time, other than hair color, length and thickness, has been the amazing utilization of technology in our business. Originally every tax return had to be hand written on computer input sheets and couriered out of town for computer processing. If you made a mistake or a client brought in additional information we had to send it out of town all over again. Today everything is at our finger tips; if a client wants alternative solutions, now we simply input into the computer at our desks and the return is recalculated. Our next step will be to be virtually “paperless”. I don’t know where technology will take us next but it will certainly make our work more effective and efficient.

The greatest strength of our office has always been its team/family atmosphere. Over almost 30 years together, we’ve worked hard to give our clients excellent service and make Iacopi Lenz and Co. a great place to work.

Michael S. Butler, CPA
Principal

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I joined Iacopi, Lenz & Company in 1991 after working with a National CPA firm for over fourteen years. My goal in changing firms was to find a group of professionals who work well together in a local firm setting…and, I was able to achieve this when John & Susan asked me to become a part of the I & L family. My experiences at the National firm were invaluable; however, I wanted to be in an office that was managed locally and who better understood the needs and servicing of small and medium size clients such as mine…I & L definitely met my needs. Not only has my client-base grown while at I & L, but I have personally grown by gaining a tremendous amount of knowledge from the many services we provide our clients. Our staff at I & L are a great support for each other both technically and as friends which creates a great work environment.

Michael D. Luis, CPA
Principal

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I am proud and honored to be part of the Iacopi, Lenz & Company family. The individuals I have the pleasure of working with on a daily basis are incredible. They work extremely hard for our firm’s clients to produce an excellent work product and also show compassion for all clients.

I’m also impressed by the community service our staff dedicates to local charities and educational institutions. As a firm, we are dedicated to giving back to our community.

Each day, I am thankful for the profession I have chosen and for having the opportunity to work with very talented professionals.

Susan Lenz, CPA
Principal

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Iacopi and Lenz was formed on May 12, 1978 and has withstood the test of time. We pride ourselves with excellent client service, availability, creativity and innovative “outside the box” multi-specialty services that continue to enhance and grow our client’s businesses. We exist to add value to the clients we serve….and creativity and innovation is the most important product we have to offer to our clients.

Susan Lenz and I have operated this firm from the standpoint of sharing our successes with our employees and the results are readily seen in our office: A stable, highly trained, motivated and loyal staff of team members who we are most proud of.

Make no mistake about it: We WORK at Iacopi and Lenz. However, WORK is not a prison sentence and we have FUN at it as well…and we all reap the harvest of our labors together. Just ask.

Come join us.

John Iacopi, CPA
Principal and Founder

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