Joel L. Baumblatt

Expertise.

Joel L. Baumblatt is a tax and business management partner with the Firm and has been licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in California since 1974.

Joel has several areas of specialization and expertise, including:

  • Business management and taxation services for entertainers, legal services industries and other highly compensated individuals
  • Taxation of loan-out companies and their principals
  • Various aspects of life/health/disability and casualty insurance for individuals and their related business entities
  • The administration, management and taxation of trusts and estates

Previously, Joel was the National Tax Manager with the West Hollywood CPA/business management firm in West Hollywood formerly known as Gelfand, Breslauer, Rennert & Feldman LLP; was the founder of Joel L. Baumblatt, An Accountancy Corporation; and was a founding partner of Gaytan Baumblatt & Leevan, LLP.

Professional Associations and Leadership.

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
California Society of Certified Public Accountants
Chartered Global Management Accountant
Past Director and Treasurer of the Studio City Residents Association
Provisors (Century City VIII)
Century City Chamber of Commerce

Education.

Master of Science, Business Administration, Accounting, California State University, Northridge, CA
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Accounting, California State University, Northridge, CA

Q&A.

Why are you passionate about accounting?   

No day is ever dull or mundane. I enjoy the variety of the tasks; the constant morphing of clients’ needs as the financial and tax environment changes around them and meeting those needs with them on a personal level. I have found that identifying, orchestrating and implementing novel and successful planning alternatives, truly making a difference for a satisfied client, is extremely rewarding. .

Why do you like working at MGO?   

I am a big fan of the “One Firm” concept. My Partners are women and men of integrity, sound judgment and character. Those qualities are quite evident throughout the Firm at all levels. One cannot ask for a better foundation in a professional environment.

Describe a favorite client or client story.    

My favorite stories usually begin when a client (many of whom have become close friends) finds themselves in “a jam.” That jam could be a natural disaster, an unexpected family tragedy or, perhaps, an examination notification from a governmental agency. Having the ability to convince the client to focus on their personal needs during such times while I shoulder the responsibilities for the financial/tax/regulatory ramifications, at the end of the day, typically produces a comment such as “you’re the greatest.” Now that’s job satisfaction!

What qualities do you look for in job applicants?  

I look for someone who has a demonstrated passion for their work along with high marks for technical competence. A certain amount of ego, tempered by their own knowledge of the qualities that they must bring to the table in order to excel, piques my interest to see how they handle matters hands-on.

What do you consider to be your biggest successes professionally?

I would say that my biggest successes have been resolving issues between clients and the Internal Revenue Service, Franchise Tax Board and other governmental agencies. It was a combination of successes resolving major controversies, many times jumping into the middle of ongoing situations and bringing them to a successful and satisfactory resolution for my clients who, in some cases had lost all hope.

But perhaps even more satisfying has been the ability to resolve controversies between family members and between beneficiaries of trusts/estates and their trustees/executors.