While Roman Emperor Diocletian and friends were giving Christians grief, China was a functioning meritocracy, albeit one that favored men over women. Aside from gender, Chinese could rise through a demanding examination system that was more akin to the Foreign Service Officer Test than other Western tests. Knowledge was the key to advancement with no need of a formal constitution aka guidelines with a gun clause.

History is relentless like water. Eventually, roofs and dikes leak, shingles crack, and fake islands flood. China’s current government is just a WWII-related pimple waiting to be popped. I predict that China returns to a meritocracy sometime in the next hundred years. (If I’m wrong, gambling addicts can spit on my grave or into the Pacific if I’m cremated.) For the time being, the accounting profession is one of the last bastions of meritocracy. Men and women can rise by passing tests and earning the trust of clients of all backgrounds and opinions.

“Vee” Cristobal, 72, is the President and CEO of Cristobal and Company headquartered in Culver City, CA. She was born Violeta dela Cruz before she married Cesar Cristobal. She grew up in San Francisco del Monte in Quezon City. She has a Business Education degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and is active in its U.S. alumni chapter. She immigrated with Cesar and their son and daughter to the U.S. in 1984 and planted roots in Pacific Palisades, CA.

When Violeta Cristobal came to California, 6/4/1984

Cesar Cristobal escorting Violeta to deliver her president’s speech on September 2, 2022 in New Jersey as president of NCPACA Global.

Going Above and Beyond Is Her Way of Life

The defining trait in Cristobal’s nature is that she’s never satisfied with fulfilling the minimum obligations. She always surpasses the basic requirements. In 1985, her first job in Los Angeles was office manager of Nodar and Company, an accounting firm with three partners. “They couldn’t figure out the new software,” she recalls. “I installed the program and figured it out. They encouraged me to prepare for the CPA exam. They paid for my studies at UCLA while I worked.”

Attending her children’s activities at Corpus Christi School near home was unfeasible because she worked in Los Angeles, so she moved to the accounting firm of Johnson, Harband, Foster, and Darling in Pacific Palisades. “During my twelve years, I was able to pass the test and get my five hundred audit hours to be certified,” remembers Cristobal.

“When my kids finished college, I went into consulting for a year.” That one year changed the direction of her accounting career. “I got so many calls to become more involved in the profession.”

In 2001, she received her CPA license and launched Cristobal and Company in Culver City and added a virtual branch in Redwood City. The firm began as a comprehensive accountancy and has gradually emphasized estates and trusts. In 2023, she opened her first Philippines office in Makati. There are 23 employees across the organization, including four accountants with master’s degrees in accounting and three licensed CPAs. Husband Cesar runs IT.

A Referral-Based Clientele

Soon after she received her CPA license in 2001, she became active in the California Society of CPAs and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Other professional affiliations would follow. “I found my initial clients through professional organizations. Today we have over 500 clients, and 95 percent of them are referrals from other clients.”

Cristobal with the current chairman of the board of AICPA, Okarie Ramsey, and AICPA National Council of Diversity & Inclusion, Kimberly Ellison Taylor. She’s representing NCPACA as president.

She is a Trustee on the Board of the California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) Education Foundation and has chaired its Accounting Principles and Assurance Standards Committee for over 20 years.

While doing pro-bono work for CalCPA, she recalls, “I helped a lady who was recently divorced and living in a big house. After she lost the house because of the Santa Barbara (Thomas) fire (in 2018), I helped her receive reimbursement for it. Then she referred lots of clients to me.”

A point of pride for Cristobal is only two of her clients have ever been audited. One of those cases exposed the unnerving side of accounting. “When a business client in the oil and gas industry was audited, six IRS agents came to their office. They carried guns,” she recounts. “They requested financial statements and asked me questions that were intended to show that my clients were hiding income outside of the country. I challenged their contention that my clients had a $1 million tax liability.

“I could answer their questions because I know how to audit. I proved that my clients didn’t have any activities outside of the country. We won the case.” She further elaborates, “I only had to clear up an issue regarding a missing 1099 form. One of the client’s vendors was a lawyer who was paid $300,000 as a C corporation. Some vendors will report income no matter what, though my client didn’t need to submit a 1099 to a C corporation for the disbursement.”

Cristobal completed the extensive requirements to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). As an international accountant, she chalks up airline miles on client visits in Spain, France, United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

She has been a Lifetime Counselor for the National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants since 2004 and has held various leadership positions in that organization, including the presidency from 2022 to 2023, and is currently the Chairwoman of the Board. She has advised for the Philippine American Society of Certified Public Accountants since 2004 and served as its President from 2003 to 2004.

26.2 Miles x 64 = 1,676.8 Miles

The busy accountant was also a runner. “I ran my first marathon when I was 49. I used to run seven to eight marathons a year and during tax seasons I ran lots of 10Ks and half-marathons.” She admits, “I was addicted to running. I ran 64 marathons before my doctor warned me if you don’t stop, you won’t walk when you get older.”

Her running story has a happy ending: “I was able to get physical therapy and avoid surgery.”

“Now I travel to relieve stress,” she says.

Cristobal’s travels include all the Disney amusement parks, except one. “I’ll never go to Hong Kong Disneyland,” she vows. “I don’t like Hong Kong.”

After passing a 2024 law to ban free speech forever, the Hong Kong Legislature chorus was ready for a round of “99 Dissidents on the Great Wall.” Lest there be suspicion of an anti-China bias, she calls Shanghai Disney Resort one of her favorites.

I first met Vee as a fellow usher in the Hospitality Ministry at St. Monica’s Church in Santa Monica. I soon learned that she wasn’t only active in the parish’s Filipino community but was the lead sponsor of its Simbang Gabi celebration the last two Christmases. The lavish event has grown into the largest gathering of Fil-Ams and friends in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Cristobal with the Saint Monica Hospitality Ministers

Some of her interests are sedentary. She has a teapot collection, which I assume is, sight unseen, large and impressive. With Cristobal, it has to be.

PUP Alumni Association USA Reunion

In 2016, she was awarded Most Outstanding Alumni at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association (PUPAA) USA First Global Reunion in 2016.

Cristobal was awarded Most Outstanding Alumni - PUP May 2016

Cristobal invites Positively Filipino readers to the Second PUPAA-USA Reunion from August 16 to 18, 2024 in Glendale, CA. PUP is the largest state university in the Philippines and has a reputation as a humble institution for students of modest means. Many in its student body of 70,000 come from struggling households, as did Cristobal. She is leading the fundraising effort to bring 50 students and their families to the reunion.

Vee’s Advice

With apprehensive April 15th approaching, Vee addresses tax concerns that frequently affect individuals and business owners.

There are Tax Credits that most taxpayers fail to include when preparing their taxes:

Workers and Homeowners:

Residential Energy Efficient Credit and Solar Credit — Currently they can receive a 30% credit from the total cost of energy efficient windows, doors, and appliances.

Educational Credits — There’s a 20% credit for up to $10,000 spent on qualified tuition and course materials for eligible students enrolled in a qualifying college or educational institution. Note that modifications to AGI (adjusted gross income) apply.

Teacher's Credit — A $300 credit is yours even if you do not itemize.

Saver's Credit — You qualify for an additional credit when you contribute to a 401k Plan, Saver Account, or an IRA (keep in mind that a Gross Income Limit applies).

Charitable Donations — If the taxpayer is itemizing, cash and non-cash donations may be claimed but make sure you have receipts, especially if the donation is more than $250.

Employer’s 401k Plan — Contribute to your employer’s 401k plan, if available, to reduce your taxable income. In the absence of a 401k plan, open an IRA on your own.

Small Business:

Working from Home — If you’re using your home as the office for your small business, you can deduct the Office in Home Deduction and can use the Simplified Method which is a $1,500 deduction.

Most Importantly:

· If you have a complicated tax situation, it is wise to use a CPA, EA (enrolled agent), or other tax professional.

· Do not wait for the last minute to prepare your taxes. Tax planning in advance is highly recommended especially if you have huge financial changes.

Transferring Wealth to Offspring

If you have a primary residence and many real estate investments or assets (including stocks), it is advisable not to include your children on the title of the assets while you are alive. The title should be under your Trust in order to avail the stepped up basis of your assets when you are gone.

To be clear, the primary purpose of the stepped-up basis rule is that the basis of wealth of the deceased is fixed as of the date of death. As a hypothetical example, assume that the home originally cost the deceased $500,000 while he was alive. Under the Trust, however, the home is valued at $1 million as of the date of his death.

Anthony Maddela writes and lives in Los Angeles. One of his favorite spots is The Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades.

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Vee Cristobal, CPA, CGMA: You Can Count on Her