Partner

John Cameron, CPA

Tax
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Bio

Meet John

John specializes in accounting and tax services, working with clients in the manufacturing, medical services, travel, construction, textiles and graphic arts industries. He also works with a range of closely held companies and provides income tax and estate planning services to high net worth individuals and for their businesses. John’s expertise encompasses tax planning, family tax planning, multigenerational planning, business planning and structure, wealth transfer and succession planning.

By taking a personal approach to helping businesses and individuals, John understands their unique needs. John is a trusted advisor who advocates for the use of technology to increase efficiency and productivity.

Prior to joining Armanino, John was the managing partner of Brigante, Cameron, Watters & Strong, LLP. He has been in public accounting since 1973, both as an independent practitioner and as principal in two accounting firms. His background also includes working as a software design engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and as a software engineer at Northrop Grumman. John’s engineering experience with logic and analysis informs his approach to understanding problems and putting the pieces together to solve them.

Contact John Cameron

Experience

Professional History

Associations

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)

Community

  • Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Leadership Committee
  • Peninsula High Athletic Booster Club
  • LA Biomed, Foundation Board
  • Trinity Care Hospice, Board Member
  • Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula
  • Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce
  • Community Association of the Peninsula, Board Member
  • Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Fraternity

Education

  • University of Michigan, B.S. in Engineering
  • University of Michigan, M.S. in Engineering
  • University of Southern California, M.B.A.
  • University of California at Los Angeles, Personal Financial Planning Program
  • California CPE Education Foundation, Estate Planning Certificate Program

Experience

  • Brigante, Cameron, Watters & Strong, LLP
  • Hoag Accountancy Corporation
  • Daniels, Phillips, Garner, & Vaughn LLP
  • Northrop Grumman Corporation
  • NASA

Q&A

Q. What is it about accounting and consulting that first drew your interest?
I came from the engineering profession, which is very similar to accounting in terms of its technical base, problem-solving and working with people. I enjoy the combination of the technical ability with the human side, taking a problem and solving it alongside a client and helping them understand a complex issue and working toward consensus.
Q. What was it that drew you to Armanino?
The entrepreneurial culture and how people work hard, together, to help clients reach their goals. Everyone at Armanino, no matter what role they serve or how long they’ve been there, is welcoming and firm-oriented.
Q. Without naming names, tell us about your favorite client and why you enjoyed working with them.
I’ve worked with three generations of a family business, which has been gratifying and fulfilling as I’ve watched them grow over the years, working with different generations that have different objectives and their own lives. I learned my predecessor in this role had been difficult to work with, and because I approached the client from a place of building a relationship, I built a foundation that has lasted decades.
Q. What keeps you up at night?
Ensuring people new to the profession, right out of school, get the experience they need to effectively work with clients and understand tax and accounting. It takes several years before they can work with clients. After a few years, if you’re just on the computer and not dealing with people and developing relationships, you’re likely to leave and work for a different type of company.
Q. What’s your proudest moment?
I’m watching my daughter grow on her own in the business world, making million-dollar decisions in the cybersecurity insurance world. It’s an exciting full-circle moment.
Q. If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to aspiring accountants or consultants, what would that be?
Be curious, but listen. When I say curious, it’s about everything, not just accounting. Go read scientific things that expand your knowledge and understanding of our world and help you develop the skills to listen and ask questions.
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