Raymond Furness, CPA, M.S. TAX

Mr. Furness has over 24 years of tax and audit experience. In 1995, he was the Financial Analyst of the firm, Smith Barney in Santa Barbara (now Morgan Stanley). In his capacity, Mr. Furness performed analysis of financial statements of public companies — in order to uncover misrepresentations and misstatements.

Mr. Furness began his career as a CPA with Nigro, Kalin & Segle CPA’s in Century City. There, he performed forensic as well as investigative audits of companies and individuals in bankruptcy court. The aforementioned audits were principally focused on discovering diverted income (embezzlement), hidden assets and unauthorized transactions. Furthermore, Mr. Furness advised star actors on the residual income which they were due from major film production companies.

Thereafter, Mr. Furness practiced accountancy with the Encino-based firms of Cutrous, and White & Boroda. In 2001, he established his firm of Accountancy and tax practice of Furness & Associates. For over two decades, Mr. Furness has offered the following services to individuals and corporations: estate/trust and corporate/partnership tax compliance matters; representation and advocacy related to IRS & State tax controversy; acquisition and sales of dental and medical practices; and, forensic accounting investigations in business and matrimonial disputes.

Whether being a tax manager or a tax partner in the aforementioned firms, Mr. Furness has represented numerous taxpayers regarding IRS audits and federal tax collection issues. In these instances, he has diligently performed in-depth financial investigative work in litigated matters. Moreover, Mr. Furness gives consultations to attorneys in tax and forensic accounting.

Ali Jahanbakhsh, Enrolled Agent Candidate

Ali was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He studied economics and accounting at California State University, Northridge. While attending school, Ali worked full-time — gaining experience in the tax and accounting fields. After graduation, Ali attended medical school — during which he worked as a Clinical Research Associate at the UCLA Medical Center, the Department of Medical Affairs and in private practice. As a result, he gained a tremendous amount of insight into the world of healthcare. After 6 years of clinical research, Ali came back to his accounting roots and joined the Furness Associates team in 2014.

Ali performs a wide variety of tasks for our firm which includes tax preparation, incorporation of business entities, dissolution of business entities, and revivals. Furthermore, he assists clients with handling notices from various agencies: IRS, FTB, EDD, etc. Ali is in the process of adding to his tax preparation credentials by becoming a federally-authorized tax practitioner.

Ali works closely with Mr. Furness to resolve any advance or intricate tax issues.

Cynthia Torres

Cynthia Torres is one of the most invaluable members of our Team. With utmost professionalism and enthusiasm, each day, she attends to the needs of our clients. After having received her B.A. degree in Film & Television in 2002, Cynthia began her career at the Sunset Studios in the capacity of Production Assistant.

Within two years, she gained a meritable experience in the fields of Research and Business Development. For 11 years, starting from 2004, Cynthia was a Financial Service Associate at AIG where her business experience and knowledge in financial affairs exponentially expanded.

Her expertise was further put in use as an Executive Assistant at Carington Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, CA in 2015, and at the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in the following two years, where Cynthia held the position of Assistant to the Director of Financial Services. After having organized the financial reports of over 300 parishes and schools — under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese — Cynthia joined Furness and Associates.

As an integral member of our Team, it is important to note that Cynthia’s knowledge and understanding of our clients’ business infrastructures are key factors to the success of our organization.

Tiffany Sarooie

Tiffany is the youngest member of our Team. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Ohio, Tiffany returned to LA in 2006 and began her academic endeavor in the fields of Business Administration & Accounting.

Her theoretical knowledge in financial affairs was swiftly incorporated into the business world when she became the General Merchandising Manager at the Pavilion Supermarket. Her duties were comprised of not only supervising and coordinating financial reports but also perpetually rendering exceptional customer service.

In 2017, Tiffany Sarooie joined Furness & Associates. Being in charge of Marketing and Public Relations, her dynamic performance attests to the fact that some people are simply indispensable.

Felicia Spivak-Carter

Whenever behind the scenes a tough job gets done, it is always by the virtue of a professional who works in the trenches with tenacity. For Furness & Associates, Felicia is that professional.

After having received her Accounting Degree from San Diego State in 2001, Felicia began her career by working in several local CPA firms where she gained extensive experience in business management, bookkeeping and tax preparation.

In 2004, Felicia moved to Los Angeles and for the next 11 years she incrementally was hired by larger business management firms where she performed complex accounting duties with great precision.

In 2015, in order to become a member of a cutting-edge business firm, Felicia joined Furness & Associates; her greatest attribute is not only precisely preparing clients’ tax returns but also innovatively formulating fresh business outlook for our clients.