About our Firm
Who we are ....
Our vision is to help you reach your goals by being innovative, personalized problem solvers.
CMC has carefully built a team specifically to help you and/or your business. We provide both tax and accounting services with a particular focus on delivering those services with outstanding customer service that is both reliable and consistent. Not every client has the same financial objectives and needs. We tailor our services to specifically fit your situation. In addition to taking care of your tax preparation needs, that might mean we become your “family office” to help you run your household finances like the best run business you know. If you are a business we could be the outsource CFO you meet with on a regular basis to check the compass and make sure you are on track to meeting your goals.
Let’s take a closer look at the team we have assembled to help you …
Our Team
Sandra L. Collins, CPA, MBA Taxation,Founding Partner
Sandy is a graduate of California State University, Humbolt with a Bachelors degree in accounting and a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Sandy started her career in public accounting at Touche Ross & Company (now Deloitte & Touche, one of the world's largest public accounting firms) in San Francisco. She then was a partner in a successful medium sized accounting firm before establishing her own practice in 1986.
Sandy enjoys working with individuals, closely held businesses and their principals. She emphasizes a team approach to working with her clients. This is achieved by facilitation, coordination and planning with her clients, their attorneys and other financial advisors. Sandy is very effective in working with complex family groups that involve trusts, a family business, investments, and multi generational issues. Sandy has been active in California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and served as the San Francisco chapter president in 1992 and on numerous state committees. Sandy is also a member of the American Institute of CPA’s. She has also been active in her community on the volunteer boards for both Habitat for Humanity as treasurer and the San Francisco affiliate of the Lions Club as her chapter’s president.
In her spare time Sandy enjoys reading, traveling and enjoying the abundance of activities the Bay Area provides including the theater, cheering for the Giants and 49ers, and trips to the wine country
sandy@cmcaccountants.com (510) 891-9000
Teresa C. Mason, CPA, MS Taxation,Managing Partner
Teresa began her career in public accounting in 1992 after graduating from California State University, East Bay. Recently, she has just finished her Masters in Science, Taxation from Golden Gate University.
Teresa is the managing partner of CMC and uses her experience in running the business to help other closely held businesses and their owners. In many cases she acts as their outsource CFO and is intricately involved in the decisions and financial management of the business. She is most effective in helping business owners understand the numbers and use them to make sound business decisions to help them reach their goals. She also works with many individuals in a similar capacity – their personal CFO – helping them understand and plan for retirement, marriage, an addition to their family or just getting a clear picture of their financial landscape.
One way Teresa keeps in contact with her clients and other professionals is through the internet. You can follower her on Twitter or LinkedIn to stay updated
Teresa is an active member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She was Chair of the California Society of CPAs in 2007-2008 (a 32,000 member organization) and currently is a member of their Council. In 2007 Teresa was appointed to a 3 year position on a national committee on Women's Initiatives in the CPA profession, an executive committee of the AICPA. Most recently, Teresa has been appointed to the board of directors for the AICPA where she will be advocating for taxpayers and the organizations 330,000 members around the country. Teresa is also actively involved with Rotary Club of Oakland and served on their foundation's board of directors.
In her spare time Teresa enjoys reading, traveling and cooking. Don’t be surprised if you are invited to a party and everything she serves is a new recipe.
John Benson, CPA, MBA Taxation Tax Director
After graduating from the University of Oregon, John went on to get his Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University. John joined his father’s CPA firm as the 8th person in a small firm, Benson & Neff in 1970, became administrative partner and grew the practice to over 40 professionals. In 1985 John struck out on his own and formed BAY CPA where he worked with his partner Chris Yahng to become trusted advisors to their clients. In 2006 BAY CPA merged with CMC and John joined our team. What has made this affiliation work so well is our common work ethic and dedication to client service.
John has been very active in his professional community as well as the community in which he lives. He has served on multiple committees for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as well as for the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA). In 2003 John was elected president of the East Bay Chapter of CalCPA and continues to be involved in the chapter’s activities.
In his spare time John is a busy man. You are very likely to meet John and his wife at one of the local museums, the opera, trying out a new restaurant or volunteering at the Piedmont Community Church. John has been so active in his community it would take several pages to list everything. When he is not enjoying all things California he is exploring what the world has to offer – a safari in South Africa, a trip to the Baltic countries and this year a trip to Peru to visit Machu Picchu.
Christopher T. Yahng, CPA, MBA Marketing Tax Director
Chris received his Bachelors in Economics from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee and moved on to receive a Masters in Marketing from Emory University. He then started out as a systems analyst for Crown Zellerbach before beginning on his path to the CPA profession. He began his CPA career at Hurdman& Cranstoun and subsequently formed BAY CPA with John Benson. In 2006, BAY CPA merged with CMC and Chris joined our team. What has made this affiliation work so well is our common work ethic and dedication to client service.
Chris has always believed that you should give back to your professional community – especially since the profession has opened so many doors for him. Most notably Chris was elected as Chair of the California Society of CPA’s (CalCPA) for the year 2005-06. He achieved this goal after serving on multiple committees and being a member of their board of directors. Chris has also served on the governing council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the board of trustees for the Education Foundation for CalCPA.
For the most part Chris is now retired. He still plays an important role in the firm by attending all firm meetings and helping us continue to grow and develop as well as consulting on client projects where he has known and worked with the client for many years.
Now you are more likely to catch Chris on the golf course, entertaining friends, or recounting one of his recent international trips. Chris has been a member of Rotary Club of Oakland for many years and continues to volunteer his time. In the past he has been an officer of the board for the Oakland Rotary Endowment, Lakeview Club, St Paul’s Episcopal School, WaSung Service Club and YMCA of the East Bay.
Irene Fong, CPA, MS Taxation, Tax Manager
Irene graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelors in Mathematics and continued on at UC Berkeley to receive her Masters with a concentration in Accounting and Finance. She began her career at Price Waterhouse & Co as an auditor before striking out on her own in 1984. Irene was a sole proprietor and owned her own CPA firm until 2008. She then decided she wanted to be part of an organization with other professionals with the same dedication to client service and quality work and joined CMC in 2008. Irene has played an instrumental part in growing and developing our team and delivering outstanding client service with a keen attention to detail.
In addition to her work with CMC, Irene is an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University in the Accounting Program where she teaches taxation to undergraduate and graduate students. Irene is a member of the California Society of CPA’s, American Institute of CPA’s and the National Association of Tax Professionals.
When she is not wearing her CPA hat you are likely to find Irene running on one of the beautiful trails the Bay Area has to offer. She is a dedicated distance runner and has completed many marathons. She is also a committed volunteer in her community. She has served on the board of Grace Project, Our Race.org, IFG.org and in her local community churches. Irene speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese which has proved helpful to some of our clients.
Otto W. Schmal, EA, Senior Accountant
Otto is a graduate of the Monterrey Technology Institute with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. While in school he did an internship with Deloitte in Mexico. After graduation Otto moved to California and worked for Martinez & Walker, a tax and bookkeeping firm in Redwood City. Otto was there for 6 years helping small business owners and individuals make sense of their tax and accounting situations. While at Martinez & Walker Otto earned his Enrolled Agent designation and decided to pursue his CPA certification. Since joining CMC Otto is well on his way to gaining his CPA certification. To date he has passed 3 of the 4 parts of the exam and is on track to finish the examination process this summer. Otto uses the skills he has developed to help our individual clients understand their tax situation and make informed decisions. He also works with many of our business clients in refining their accounting systems, preparing financial statements and educating the business owners on how to use the numbers to run a better business.
Otto is a recent graduate of the Leadership Institute, a program sponsored by the California Society of CPA’s and Education Foundation. The program helps participants grow as volunteer and business leaders through improving leadership behavior, critical thinking and management skills. Otto is a member of the California Society of CPA’s and plans on participating in their financial literacy initiative once he has completed his CPA examination process.
Outside of work Otto loves to be outdoors – particularly playing beach volleyball. Otto is already fluent in Spanish and English and plans to add German to his list of accomplishments.
Sheryl M. Ardosa, CPA, Accountant
Sheryl graduated on the Dean’s list from the University of St. La Salle with a Bachelors of Science in Commerce and a major in Management Accounting. After graduation she moved to California and began working for Alpha Business Services. For six years she assisted small businesses meet their accounting and tax needs. She worked closely with the clients to ensure that all the compliance requirements were met and met timely. She gained an in-depth understanding of handling transactions, payroll and dealing with local taxing authorities. When Sheryl decided to pursue her CPA certification she joined CMC. We are proud to announce that Sheryl met all the requirements and received her CPA license in April of this year. Since reaching that goal she is now enrolled in the Masters of Taxation program at Golden Gate University. Sheryl has worked with clients in all aspects of our business – individuals, businesses and trusts. Her ability to comprehend complex situations and apply them has added value to the services we offer our clients.
Sheryl is a member of the California Society of CPA’s and is beginning their Emerging Leaders Certificate Program. This program is designed to provide training in critical leadership development areas while exposing participants to leaders in the profession who can serve as mentors. We know this program will enhance Sheryl’s ability to serve our clients.
When Sheryl is not in the office you are likely to find her eating out with friends, doing her homework at Borders or hiking around the Coyote Hills…
Joyce L. Hampton, Office Manager
When John Benson struck out on his own and formed BAYCPA with Chris Yahng the one person they knew could pull it all together was Joyce. She became their office manager in 1985 and handled all aspects of the growing and thriving tax practice. When BAYCPA merged with CMC in 2006 Joyce joined our team. Today she continues to fill the role of office manager with professionalism and panache! Many of our clients know her well and have come to rely on her responsiveness and caring approach to helping them.
When she is not at work supporting our team and clients her favorite activity is to spend time out doors camping and fishing with her family.
In addition to those listed above we have a wonderful compliment of professionals that help us when things get busy…
- Keith R. Mason, Operations Assistant
- Carol Sullivan, Administrative Assistant
- Jeannie Heise, Administrative Assistant
