Tom Schulte

Partner, Armanino Advisory LLC

Learn to communicate―this job is based on communication.

Contact Me

Bio

Meet Tom*

Tom has deep experience serving the unique needs of nonprofit organizations. He also works extensively with for-profit clients, including many pre-public companies, and provides mergers and acquisition expertise to businesses in a wide range of industries. He has also served on the boards of private and publicly traded for-profit organizations.

Tom aggressively brings problem-solving, timely communication and personal service to his clients, and his strong commitment to service extends to the community as well. He currently is a member of the Los Angeles County Library Strategic Plan Advisory Council and serves on audit committees for the Grammy Museum and the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation. He is the former chairman and treasurer of Easter Seals of Southern California and was also on the board of governors of UCLA Extension. He is a former member of the finance committee of GuideStar and has served as chairman or treasurer for the California Association of Nonprofits, the Los Angeles Business Council, the Los Angeles County and California chapters of Mother Against Drunk Driving, the San Fernando Valley Girl Scouts Council, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also donates his time to instruct accounting courses for numerous trade, university and community organizations.

Tom is a licensed CPA and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He graduated cum laude with a B.A. in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and is a former UCSB Accounting Alumnus of the Year.

*Tom holds his interest in the firm through Thomas J Schulte, an Accountany Corporation

Contact Tom Schulte

Experience

Professional History

Associations

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • California Society of Certified Public Accountants

Community

  • Audit committee, Grammy Museum
  • Audit committee, Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation
  • Los Angeles County Library Strategic Plan Advisory Council.

Education

  • University of California, Santa Barbara

Experience

  • RBZ LLP
  • Arthur Andersen LLP

Speaking Engagements

  • 2014 California Association of Realtors conference, Internal Fraud: Why They Do It, How They Do It and How to Protect Your Organization
  • 2014 Colorado Association of Realtors Conference, Internal Controls: Essential

Q&A

Q. What is the toughest decision you have ever made?
I was managing partner of RBZ, which later merged with Armanino, during a huge growth period. I loved it, but I stepped down from that role to concentrate on my new roles as husband and father. I wanted to be present for my family. It meant giving up a role I loved, so it was a tough decision, but it was also an easy decision.
Q. What is changing in the Southern California business landscape?
Everything. Digital media companies are gathering in what is now called “Silicon Beach” and are hugely changing the economy all around them. Much like Silicon Valley, this area is home to mature, well-known tech companies and also to many startups with dreams of IPOs, mergers and acquisitions. It’s an exciting time, and it’s exciting for Armanino to help these young companies the same way we help our Silicon Valley clients.
Q. Without naming names, tell us about your favorite client and why you enjoyed working with them.
We had a very large nonprofit audit client that had been with us for 15 years. We said that they had to go out for bid, because it was fiduciarily wise, and told them we couldn’t bid because we had been with them for so long. They interviewed five other firms and concluded that they wanted to stay with us, despite us not having bid. They really appreciated the difference we had made for their organization.
Q. Describe your work style.
Organized but relaxed; approachable and appreciative.
Q. Who is (or was) the most influential person in your life
My dad. He is a true gentleman and lives by a few simple, fundamental concepts, such as “always do the right thing.”
Q. If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to aspiring accountants or consultants, what would that be?
Don’t just e-communicate. Look up from your iPad and learn to actually talk to people and to write without using emojis! Communicate―that is what this job is really about.
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Industries Served
Tom's Thought Leadership
6 Tips for Your Nonprofit’s Request for Proposal (RFP) Process
Article
COVID has many nonprofits reconsidering their CPA firm. These RFP best practices can help you find the right fit.

October 13, 2021
Nonprofit Mergers Five Factors to Consider
Article
Since the pandemic, nonprofits are more open to potential M&As. Here are key points to consider before a merger.

August 05, 2021