Business Details
21 Years
experience
Expert Forensic Accounting & Tax Solutions
Magnolia Group has been delivering specialized forensic accounting and tax consulting services in the Bay Area since 2005. Our team of certified professionals combines decades of experience with a personalized approach to address complex financial challenges. We focus on high net worth individuals and closely-held entities, offering expertise in stock option planning, real estate tax issues, and family law forensic accounting. Our professionals have testified as court-appointed experts in Santa Clara and San Mateo County Superior Courts, establishing a reputation for technical excellence and client-centric service.With backgrounds at top-tier firms like KPMG and Ernst & Young, our team brings institutional expertise to boutique-level engagements. We maintain active memberships in professional organizations such as the California Society of CPAs while continuously expanding our forensic accounting capabilities through advanced education. Our commitment to transparency and strategic planning ensures clients receive both compliance solutions and proactive financial guidance tailored to Silicon Valley's unique economic landscape.
Services
Forensic accounting
Family law financial analysis
Stock option planning
Equity compensation consulting
Real estate tax services
Marital dissolution accounting
Income tax planning
Retirement account allocation
Court expert testimony
Financial dispute resolution
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of experience in forensic accounting and tax consulting
- Our team includes court-qualified experts in family law financial disputes
- Specialized expertise in Silicon Valley equity compensation and real estate issues
- Proven track record with complex cases in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties
- Personalized approach combining institutional expertise with boutique service
What people say
Expert testimony
Complex case handling
Court recognition
Personalized approach
Silicon Valley expertise
Services
Forensic Accounting
Our forensic accounting services specialize in resolving complex financial disputes through detailed analysis and expert testimony. We work with legal teams to provide court-admissible financial evaluations in family law cases, focusing on asset tracing, income determination, and equitable distribution. Our professionals have testified in multiple high-profile cases across Silicon Valley's technology sector.
Stock Option Planning
We provide strategic planning for equity compensation packages including ISOs, NSOs, and RSUs. Our services cover tax optimization strategies, exercise timing analysis, and financial impact assessments for corporate executives and startup employees. This includes comprehensive reporting for both personal financial planning and legal proceedings.
Family Law Financials
Specialized financial services for marital dissolution cases including separate property tracing, post-separation accountings, and spousal support calculations. Our team works directly with legal counsel to provide expert financial analysis and court testimony, maintaining strict adherence to evidentiary standards in family law proceedings.
Tax Consulting
We offer comprehensive tax planning services for high net worth individuals and closely-held businesses. Our expertise includes complex return preparation, international tax considerations, and strategic planning for real estate holdings and investment portfolios. Services transitioned to The Tate Group in 2024 while maintaining collaborative relationships.
Expert Testimony
Our professionals serve as court-qualified experts in financial matters, providing impartial analysis and testimony in family law cases. We maintain active credentials for expert witness designation in multiple California counties, with extensive experience in both adversarial and neutral expert roles in complex financial disputes.
People
Alice Kim
Partner
Co-founder with 25+ years in public accounting, specializing in tax consulting for high net worth individuals. Former KPMG and Ernst & Young professional with expertise in stock option planning and compliance.
Katie Sims
Partner
Co-founder and forensic accounting expert with 25 years' experience in complex tax planning and family law cases. Qualified expert witness in Santa Clara and San Mateo County courts, specializing in real estate and stock option issues.
Wendy C. Bastis
Litigation Manager
CFA charter holder with 20+ years in financial services. Specializes in forensic accounting for family law cases and pursuing advanced education in forensic accounting while managing complex litigation cases.
Connie Buenrostro
Office Manager
Bilingual office manager handling internal operations, billing inquiries, and case management. Primary point of contact for client communications and calendar coordination for forensic projects.
Renae Lisec
Staff Accountant
Forensic services accountant managing document organization and transaction analysis for litigation cases. Brings customer service and program management experience to support complex financial investigations.
Questions
What areas do you specialize in?
We specialize in forensic accounting for family law disputes and tax consulting for high net worth individuals, with particular expertise in Silicon Valley equity compensation and real estate issues.
Are your experts court-qualified?
Yes, our team members are recognized court experts in family law financial cases, with extensive testimony experience in Santa Clara and San Mateo County Superior Courts.
What services transitioned to The Tate Group?
Our income tax services transitioned to The Tate Group in 2024, though we maintain collaborative relationships and shared office space in Los Altos.
How do you handle complex financial disputes?
We employ detailed forensic analysis, asset tracing, and expert reporting to resolve complex financial issues in divorce cases and other legal matters.
What makes you different from other firms?
Our combination of court-recognized expertise, Silicon Valley specialization, and personalized service distinguishes us in handling complex financial cases.
